The Ultimate Guide to Slow Living in Fall
Fall is the perfect time of year to slow down because the early nights, warm colors, and cool temperatures make us want to cozy up and get comfy. This slow living guide to fall will help you develop a cozy daily routine, come up with a list of fall activities to try, and I’ll even share some cozy recipes to maximize the seasonal harvest. Enjoy!
The slow living movement is all about being mindful and present, but it’s also a reaction against consumerism and capitalism. It invites us to slow down and focus on what truly matters to us: our families, our peace, and our communities.
My seasonal living approach invites you to slow down by deepening your relationship with the earth. Align the foods you’re eating and how you’re spending time with the energy of the season. All of those are important, but I cannot emphasize enough how helpful it is to align your energy to the season.
It’s not just tasting the flavors and going pumpkin picking. We need to bring the seasonal rhythms back into our bodies, and that includes more time for rest.
Fall is the perfect time to slow down and savor. Feel the cold temperatures, observe the changing leaves, and sip warm, comforting teas or cider. Slow down and be present. Watch as your favorite flowers fade and fall apart and notice how the hardy winter crops start to thrive.
I want you to see the fullness of the crops coming in—the end of tomatoes, winter squash, apples, and pears—but you also need to see the decay. Notice how the plants offer less and less. Observe which plants and flowers begin to decay first. Sit in the middle ground between abundance and decay and feel it.
The winter months are all about rest and recovery, so I’ll share practices to support that in the next post. Don’t get ahead of yourself – focus on where you are right now and really soak it all up! Let the busyness of summer fade away, and embrace this colorful and abundant time of year.
Slow Living Fall Routines
As we transition into the colder months, this is a great time to honor those changes in your daily routines.
- Honor the darker mornings and evenings by lighting candles and lamps.
- Bring elements of the season indoors, like pine cones, dried leaves, seasonal foods, etc.
- Sit outside in the cool autumn mornings. Feel the crisp air and watch the mist move over the trees.
- Reflect on the summer and all the growth and busyness. How did it feel? Which memories were the most important?
- Go for an evening walk to feel the changing light.
- Start a daily journaling routine. Take a few minutes to jot down what you’re grateful for and to remember the highlights of your days.
- Turn off the TV and embrace the darker nights. Play board games, read a book, or work on a craft. If you can tie these into natural elements, that’s even better.
- Practice gentle movement. This is a great time to stretch and strengthen your body. Spend a few minutes doing yoga or stretching your body.
- Sip on hot drinks. Switch to tea blends that include warm spices and make a cup of herbal tea before bed.
- Re-evaluate your time. Be careful not to overcommit this time of year. Say no to obligations or invitations that don’t feel good. Less is more, especially right now.
Monitor your mood. The fading light can cause us to feel tired and depressed. If your mood seems to drop drastically, seek out support.
Learn how to slow down with the seasons
Grab my 39-page primer to seasonal slow living to sink into a slower, cozier pace of life while shifting with the rhythm of the seasons.
To-Do List to Make the Most of Your Slow Autumn
These slow living ideas for fall are a great way to connect more deeply with nature and keep those relationships strong while you also honor your body’s need for play and rest. The keyword for fall is “cozy,” so bring that coziness into every part of your life!
- Go for walks in your local park or go on hikes to observe (or pick) the fall mushrooms and enjoy the fall color.
- Harvest seasonal produce. Go apple picking, join a gleaning group, go to the pumpkin patch, etc.
- Host a bonfire. The contrast between the cool nights and the hot fire is really special.
- Plant a fall garden. Plant cold hardy crops like kale or escarole to nourish your family during the winter. October is the perfect time to plant garlic!
- Visit the farmers market. This is a fantastic time of year to see the abundance of the fields. Take home something delicious to try.
- Plant fall bulbs. Plant some tulips, narcissus, crocus, or your favorite spring flowers to enjoy color at the end of winter. Grab a few pots of mums to add color to your front porch, too.
- Host a fall dinner party. Invite your favorite friends or family over to celebrate the changing seasons.
- Cook with seasonal ingredients. This is a great time of year to make apple crisp, pumpkin muffins, dehydrate pears, and more.
- Take a scenic bike ride. Ride around the countryside to take in the beautiful fall colors.
- Save seeds from your garden. Let some of your plants go to seed and save them for your garden next year.
- Can or ferment something. Fall is a traditional time to make apple butter and applesauce, but this is also the best time to make sauerkraut.
- Make hearty meals. This is a great time of year to make soups, stews, casseroles, and more.
- Cozy up your home by lighting more candles, laying out soft blankets, and incorporating natural elements.
- Boost your immune system. Make fire cider or elderberry syrup to keep your immune system strong.
- Rest. The dark, chilly evenings will make you tired. Go to bed early and let your body rest.
- Try a new hobby. Since you’ll be indoors more, this is a nice time to start painting, crocheting, etc. Consider these slow living hobbies to find your new favorite activity.
- Make homemade gifts. In anticipation of the holiday season, make handmade or edible gifts to share with your loved ones.
- Volunteer or connect. Instead of just coming up and watching TV, find a way to get out of your house and connect with others. Take a class, volunteer somewhere, or invite people over to spend more time together.
- Wear the colors of the seasons. Switch to burgundies, mustards, golds, browns, and more. Pull out the cardigans, sweaters, scarves, and boots.
- Join community. Attend a local fall festival or fair. Go to a cider-making party or host a fall potluck!
- Bake bread. With the cooler temperatures, it’s nice to warm up the house, and the smell of freshly baked bread is lovely. My honey wheat sourdough is perfect for slathering with butter and homemade jam.
- Collect leaves. Collect colorful leaves and create leaf art or press them in a book.
- Make garlands. Try your hand at DIY fall crafts like making leaf garlands or wreaths.
- Go book shopping. This is a great time to cozy up inside! Visit your favorite bookstore or library, then curl up with a new read and a warm drink.
- Explore your local area. This is a great time of year to visit a local winery or brewery and try their seasonal favorites.
Seasonal Harvests
The best thing about fall is the flavors! This is the tail end of summer’s abundance and the start of those hearty winter flavors. Take some time to enjoy:
- End-of-summer tomatoes (including green tomatoes)
- Tomatillos
- Peppers
- Snap peas
- Pumpkins
- Winter squash
- Kale
- Brussels sprouts
- Parsley
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Fennel
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Green onions
- Apples
- Pears
- Cranberries
- Quince
- Persimmon
- Fall raspberries
- Turnips
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Beets
Get my free seasonal produce calendar
Learn which crops are ready to eat during each of the seasons. Print this & stick it on your fridge for easy meal planning!
Cozy Fall Recipes
There are so many ways to incorporate these seasonal crops into your meals, snacks, and desserts. Here are a few of my favorite ways to make the most of the season’s abundance:
Apple Crumble Scones
Caramel Apple Galette
Pear and Blue Cheese Scones
Apple Crisp
Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins
Pumpkin Pie Pudding Cups
More Fall Recipes & Projects
See my complete collection of fall recipes here or peruse the options below.
How to Dry Parsley {Air Dry, Oven, or Dehydrator}
Parsley is a great, prolific herb to grow in the garden. Learn how to dry parsley using 3 different methods to find the best one for you.
Homemade Roasted Garlic Butter with Fresh Herbs
Create a delicious spread with this homemade roasted garlic butter! Loaded with fresh herbs, it’s great on steaks, potatoes, and more!
Homemade Hazelnut Butter Recipe {with Roasted Hazelnuts}
Ditch the peanut butter and make a delicious treat with this hazelnut butter recipe. Serve on toast, bake into cookies, and more!
Homemade Hazelnut Simple Syrup
This homemade hazelnut simple syrup recipe packs way more of a punch than storebought syrups and is the ideal choice for your coffee drinks.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin? How to Freeze Pumpkin Puree & More
If you find yourself with way too much pumpkin, you’re in luck! Pumpkin freezes very well, making this a great way to save your fall harvest for months and months. Learn everything you need to know about freezing pumpkin two to make the most of your harvest!
Dehydrating Pears: How to Dry Pears for Long-Term Storage
Enjoy the deliciously chewy and naturally sweet flavor of dehydrated pears. It’s a nutritious snack that will quickly become a new family-favorite!
the essentials
More Slow Living Posts
Pin this post for later!
