It’s the perfect time of the year for a fall reset: a reset to your space, your routines, your wardrobe, your goals, and much more! Autumn, a most delightful and magical season, has arrived. As the leaves begin their color transformation, exciting changes and adventures await you as well.
As the weather cools, nostalgia kicks in. Remember the simple joys of your childhood, like jumping into a pile of lives or carving pumpkins? Reflecting on the wonderful memories and family traditions I experienced as a child; I aspire to provide my children with those dear memories too. Embrace the excitement in the simplicity of life, especially during the fall months.
Slowly and simply take the time this fall season to reset your life to make more time for the things that matter most to you. More time for your family. Your friends. More time to spend with God. And more time to be all that God has called you to be.
First things first. A fall reset will set you on track to enter this new season with intention and purpose. Decluttering. Tweaking routines. Cozy decorations and an inviting home atmosphere. Fall fashion choices. Setting (and sticking to) goals!
Read more to learn some practical ways to reset your home and your life this autumn.
Decluttering: It all Starts Here
Do you desire a fresh start? A fresh start cannot begin without a fresh space. Your home is the space where you live and dwell, where you most likely spend the most time each day. So, I encourage you to start in your home with decluttering!
Do you desire to have a more pleasant and clutter-free home? Removing unnecessary items is the first step in that process. What’s necessary is a clear mind and a peaceful space to breathe and embrace the new season. There is much research on the benefits of decluttering and living in a clean, clutter-free environment, which include improved mental health and increased productivity. Check out The Minimal Mom for more guidance and decluttering inspiration. She has tons of helpful videos on YouTube to assist in your decluttering journey.
1. Declutter your closet.
One of the first decisions you make in the morning is this: What should I wear today? By starting the decluttering process with your closet, we can make that decision much less complicated. Only keep clothes you love and will choose time and time again.
You can ask questions like:
- Have I worn this in the last year?
- Do I like how it looks on me?
- Do I like how it feels on me?
- Does it look worn out or stained?
If you haven’t worn the clothing item lately or if you don’t like how the shirt looks on you, it needs to go! If it is uncomfortable or looks like it’s seen better days, don’t be afraid to purge it.
I encourage you to decide on a “daily uniform,” which is simply a set of clothes which you choose to wear on the daily. A few pairs of pants and shirts you love and enjoy wearing. For me, most days it’s a pair of jeans (or leggings) and a T-shirt/sweatshirt.
2. Declutter your pantry and fridge.
Your kitchen, also known as the heart of the home, is next up for decluttering. The place where you cook delicious and nutritious meals for your family. The place where you prep fruits and snacks for your children. We cannot neglect this space in our home. Your cupboards, pantry, and fridge must be useful and organized so that cooking and baking can be a pleasant experience.
Out with the old, in with the new. You can’t very well try all those new fall recipes with a cluttered pantry of expired food and a refrigerator full of questionable containers.
Take time to clear out your fridge completely. I prefer to go shelf by shelf, then drawer by drawer. Take all the food items out and then determine if they need to be kept or tossed. Then, go ahead and take out each shelf/drawer and wash in the sink. Your refrigerator will be sparkling clean in no time!
A clean slate for your fridge. If time allows, tackle your freezer too!
I prefer to keep a pretty minimal pantry, with staples that we use weekly. I also don’t keep a huge backstock of food either, as more tends to go to waste that way. Make sure your pantry is ready for a new season with food items your family will use and enjoy.
3. Declutter Problem Areas
Yes, you could go on and continue decluttering every area of your house. If you have the energy and the time this month, go right ahead. More power to you.
However, during this reset, I encourage you to identify one or two other problem areas to focus on. An area that daily gives you grief or causes issues. Your entry table? Your dining room table? The kitchen utensils drawer?
Whatever it is, take 10, 20, or 30 minutes today to reset that space. Whatever amount time you can muster, it will make a difference.
Last week, I spent about 30 minutes decluttering our arts and crafts cupboard, since my girls spend a lot of time grabbing things from it. I also spent about 30 minutes decluttering our bathroom closet, because I needed to make room for more storage there. First, I identified two areas that were in dire need of decluttering and then got to work.
Daily Routines: Keeping Everything in Order
Order is necessary! Not just order in your space (which we tackled during the declutter portion), but order in your schedule and routines for each day.
Especially if you have children (or even if you don’t), you need a general routine for your day. Things that you do each morning. Things that you do each night.
1. Morning Routine
To be successful and productive for the remainder of the day, it is imperative to set up a morning routine that takes care of your needs. Take time to care for yourself in all areas, including physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Reset this routine to make the best use of your fall days. To make time for what’s important to you, whether that be fall baking or doing fall crafts with your toddlers.
- Is something not adequately working in your current morning routine?
- Do you not have a morning routine at all?
- Could you try a different order of events in your routine to allow for better flow?
I have a whole separate blog post going into much more detail on a 4-step morning routine that includes moving your body, nourishing your soul, preparing your physical appearance, and nourishing your body. Check it out HERE.
Even if you don’t decide to include all 4 steps in your morning, establish a routine that sets you up to be successful (however you define that) for the remainder of your day. It may include (probably should include) waking up before your children, so you have time to prepare for the day ahead without being needed by others.
2. Afterschool Routine
If you have school-aged children, you know the afterschool time can be very hectic. Have a plan in place for this! If you aren’t intentional with the time you have, everyone will become more easily stressed. You and your kids included.
This is my reality: 4 kids. Extracurricular activities. Homework (why does a 1st grader have so much homework??!) A healthy dinner.
Think through everything that needs to be accomplished before dinnertime each day and have a plan in place. I promise it will give you better peace of mind and everything will (hopefully) be complete earlier in the day. Before everyone becomes too tired and cranky, which makes it 10x harder to get that math homework done (at least in our house).
3. Night Routine
Your night routine sets you up for success the next day, so it is essential. Check out my related blog post on my evening routine: THE IDEAL NIGHT ROUTINE TO SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS THE NEXT DAY.
Essential steps to a night routine include closing out your kitchen, tidying the main area, prepping and planning for the next day, and ending with some well-deserved self-care time!
As a part of your fall reset, adjust any of these routines (only if needed). Don’t change them if everything is going smoothly already though. Keep doing what you know works! If at any time a routine fails to serve you, make adjustments as you see fit.
Fall Aesthetic: Make it Cozy, Please
What comes to mind when you hear the word, “cozy?” A soft, warm sweater. Throw blankets. A homey living room. A fire crackling in the fireplace. All those things and more can contribute to the fall aesthetic you desire.
1. Cozy home vibes.
To me, fall is one of the coziest times of the year. Elevate your fall experience a little more by making your home environment one your family and loved ones can feel comfortable in. Put some effort into decorating for fall, to give your home a warm and welcoming atmosphere. You don’t have to “go all out,” and buy 35 new decorative items from Hobby Lobby. Simply pick a few decorative pieces that bring you joy and liven up your home.
Find a diffuser blend that gives off a quintessential fall smell. Or a candle that brings about feelings of nostalgia for you. Even the background music you choose can add so much warmth and fall ambiance to your home, with minimal effort.
I always like to think of small touches that will bring my children joy as well. A few pumpkins on the front porch. Fresh baked goods for an afternoon snack.
2. Fall wardrobe upgrade.
By this, I don’t mean go all out and spend $1,000 on all the latest fall fashions. No, please don’t do that.
Instead, invest in a couple of new pieces of clothing, shoes, or accessories that you will love wearing this autumn. With a newly decluttered closet, you may notice a couple of gaps in your wardrobe. Now that you have a freshly decluttered closet, you should have a better idea of what clothing items you already have and what you may be lacking.
A new cozy sweater (I keep using that word cozy), a new pair of jeans that fit just right, a pair of black booties (to replace the ones you wore the last three seasons), a new fall-inspired dress (check out this beautiful dress I just purchased on Amazon and absolutely love). Whatever it may be that you need, definitely make sure it fits into your budget at this time.
3. Plan fall-themed activities.
Fall activities and events can ensure good, quality family time during the autumn months. I’d encourage you to make a family fall bucket list to ensure you participate in all the fall-themed activities that interest your family. Try to schedule time that works to head out to the local farm or to go to the drive-in movie.
I comprised a list of 20 ideas you must try this fall, which you can read next: THE ULTIMATE FALL BUCKET LIST. Some are easy to do on a whim, but some will require a little planning. Plan them now during your reset routine. Put them on the calendar now, before fall slips away from you.
Goals for the Fall Season
Goals? Aren’t goals supposed to be set at New Year’s? Definitely. But I encourage you to set some goals for this new season of life as well. Or you could reflect on the goals you set in January and make adjustments to accomplish the most important ones before 2024 wraps up. Make time for having fun family adventures, but also for investing in yourself and what you desire to accomplish. Only a few months remain before a whole new year begins, but you don’t need to wait until then.
Need some Goal ideas? They can be from any of the following categories:
- Books you want to read
- Projects you want to accomplish
- Something you want to learn
- Recipes you want to try
- Important To-Do’s
- Business goals
- Relationship goals
- Health or fitness goals
- Spiritual health goals
Make these doable and reflect on what is most important to YOU. Not what you think you should accomplish. But what you really and truly desire to accomplish this Fall.
Get Started on Your Fall Reset Today
Although there are so many other aspects of life you could include in a fall reset, I believe these will make a great impact on the remainder of your year. You have a few more months of 2024 remaining, be intentional and make the most of them.
A new beginning. A fresh space. You don’t have to accomplish all of these aspects of the fall reset in one day. Take it one step at a time.
- Take a couple of weeks to complete your decluttering projects.
- Take an afternoon to think about your daily routines and any adjustments you may want to make.
- Spend a weekend lugging those fall decorations out of storage and decorate your home.
- Spend an evening brainstorming goals for the next month.
You don’t have to wait until the new year begins on January 1st to knock out some of your goals! Start now, whether it’s September, October, or November, it’s really not too late! Start today, you’ll be glad you did.
I hope you have an amazing fall season. Get your fall reset done, then you’ll be able to enjoy the little moments with your loved ones more fully. The little joyful moments are the ones you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
