So it’s finally fall, and you’re so excited for all the autumn vibes. Gilmore Girls, cozy movie nights, the leaves changing color, apple cider, fuzzy socks, warm flannels and leggings, football games (which means SNACKS)… you’re ready to embrace it all! But like all things in life, the beautiful autumn season comes with its own set of challenges. The days get shorter and colder. The weather gets a bit gloomier. Your hot girl walks start ending with damp sneakers because you got rained on. And a lot of the summertime self care activities you were doing start to be less of an option. So what are some of the best fall self care ideas can you do instead?
Don’t worry, friend, after reading this post you’ll have 30 amazing fall self care ideas that are good for your mental and emotional health, but also help you embrace this beautiful season.
Let’s dive into my top 30 ways to practice self care in the fall!
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Cozy Fall Self Care Ideas to Embrace the Season
1. Make your space feels like a warm hug for your soul
It’s time to set the mood!
With the fall weather and things getting cooler, you might spend more time indoors in your living room or bedroom. So make sure this space feels cozy and inviting to you!
Fighting off the cold seasonal blues is always easier when you love the space you spend all your time.
2. Go on cute little nature scavenger walks
Nature walks are such a fun and uplifting form of self care in the fall because you get to spend time outdoors while moving your body in a way that celebrates the season. Plus, you can totally romanticize your walks by turning them into little nature scavenger hunts.
Collect leaves, interesting stones, acorns, pinecones, and other natural indicators of the fall season.
The main idea here is to enjoy the season you’re in instead of rushing through the autumn months. Let nature do its healing thing, and the act of collecting physical objects helps you ground yourself in the moment, rather than letting your mind anxiously wander to the future.
Pro tip: Put the little nature knick-knacks into shadow boxes or use the leaves in a scrapbook if you want!
3. Make a fall bucket list
If you’re anything like me, you tend to get all excited about the fun things you want to do as each new season approaches… but then you get caught up in life things and only end up doing like 2 of the things you had planned.
Well, to make sure you follow through on your favorite fall self care ideas and activities, or fun fall things in general, put together a fall bucket list!
A big part of self care is to not deny yourself the things that make you happy, and to do them intentionally.
So, if going to a haunted house with your friends for a good scream sounds fun and festive to you, make sure you add it to your schedule!
Or if you’re a scaredy-cat like me, then a Harry Potter movie night and homemade boozy butterbeer with your besties might sound better! Whatever fun fall activities and events speak to your soul, put them on your bucket list so you remember to make time for them.
4. Make a fall mood board
What do you want your fall to look like? Do you want it full of friends and cute outings to pumpkin patches?
Maybe you want to stare out the window at the rain with your most-loved book open on the bed next to you? Or perhaps a hike to see the changing leaves and breathe in the crisp air is more your style.
Or maybe you want it all!
Hop onto Pinterest and create a mood board or vision board of what vibes you want your autumn to have.
Or, you can save the cute fall aesthetic photos you like and put together your own fall vision board in Canva like this!
Note: This is a fall mood board I made for fun to turn my favorite fall self care ideas into an aesthetic. I used images I do NOT own that I found on Pinterest. This is just to show the cute ways you can use Canva to design mood boards of your own!
Vision boards are such a fun self care activity for fall because it lets you get creative, dream big, and get your imagination going all from the cozy comfort of your couch.
5. Journal your feels
Do the colder months ever get you feeling introspective, too?
Maybe you start to think about how much your friends and family mean to you. You contemplate just how beautiful the world is as the seasons change and feel grateful to be here.
Or, maybe the change in the weather has you feeling a big more melancholy.
Whatever your feelings are, don’t hold them back.
Journal them. Draw them. Paint them. Read books that resonate with you and put into words exactly how you’re feeling if you can’t seem to find the words to do it yourself.
Feel your feelings. Let them out. Hang onto them if they’re good ones. Or, acknowledge them, feel them, and release them if they’re heavier ones.
(And as the holiday family gatherings approach, please remember that as perfect as everyone online seems, everyone’s family has problems. You’re not alone in feeling the burden of a dysfunctional family during the holiday season, and nobody’s family is perfect.)
6. Bake a delicious festive treat with seasonal fruits
Enough about dysfunctional families! (Whew!)
Nothing feeds the soul like a good homemade dessert, prepared with love and the fruits of the season.
Like a lot of effective self care activities, baking is an awesome way to put yourself in the moment and take your mind off any anxious or heavy thoughts.
Measuring out cups of flour, kneading dough with your bare hands, picking out the juiciest of berries to add on top of a pie, and of course “taste testing” as you go along are all little ways that the act of baking can heighten your joy and help you seize the moment.
7. Decorate your bedroom for the fall season
Get out the cute felt garlands, the orange-y fairylights, and the cinnamon scented candles!
It’s time to make your bedroom into a cozy fall den, perfect to cozy up in bed with a hot cup of tea and your favorite book.
Some of the best self care activities for the fall really are just about embracing the season.
By the way, if you want your room to smell like fall, I can’t recommend this chai latte candle enough. It’s my favorite fall candle of the moment and my bedroom always feels 10x more festive when I light it.
8. Re-read your favorite book
Fall is the time to re-visit all your favorite comforts.
Take the shorter days as an opportunity to dive back into familiar worlds and “see” the familiar faces of your favorite characters.
And if you need suggestions, you can check out these fall book favorites below.
And if you’re more of a self-improvement girlie than a fiction girlie, you can read my post on the 5 best books for women to read in their 20s.
9. Update your skincare routine for the cold dry weather
As the fall months come along, so does the drier weather and colder winds.
Oily skin is frustrating, but dry skin is miserable.
So switch up your skincare routine by adding richer creams and serums with hydrating and moisturizing properties, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramics.
Don’t forget to use moisturizing ingredients on your body, too!
For more skincare inspired, check out my non-toxic skincare routine!
10. Have a bonfire with s’mores
Calling all my fellow s’mores sluts: Take the crisp air as an opportunity to cozy up next to a bonfire with the people you love most and break out the gooey, pure-sugar treat of the fall.
S’mores should be on every fall self care bucket list, and I’ll stand by that statement til the day I die.
So grab your friends and don’t forget to bring cider, hot dogs, chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers, (bonus if you bring peanut butter cups, iykyk), cozy blankets to lay on the ground, warm sweaters, and camper mugs.
Once your tummy is full and you’re fighting off a food coma, lay on a blanket and look up at the stars. Take a moment to feel gratitude for the beautiful moment you’re living in.
11. Binge watch your comfort show
It’s no secret that Gilmore Girls is my comfort show, and maybe it’s yours too! (If it is, then just know I already consider you my best friend.)
Or maybe Friends, The Office, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer is more your jam!
Whatever your comfort show is, cuddle up with your fur baby, grab the snacks, get under a fuzzy blanket, and call it a night in.
12. Use fall scented essential oils in your diffuser
A lot of essential oil brands offer holiday-specific oil blends to make your home smell delightfully festive.
Or you can pick up a simple essential oil like clove, cinnamon, orange, fir, or bergamot.
Use any of these beautifully scented essential oils that feel comforting to you, and let the scent of fall remind you to slow down and enjoy the little things.
13. Carve a pumpkin
Carving pumpkins is so satisfying. Pulling out all the goop and seeds, outlining some sort of Halloween design that’s probably more complicated than you originally realized, and doing your darndest to make a shape that’s semi-recognizeable…
It’s alllll part of the fall fun that you don’t want to miss out on.
14. Rake up leaves for an elderly neighbor
I know that doing chores for neighbors wouldn’t usually fall into the self care category, but doing something good for someone else and expecting nothing in return is good for your soul.
Self care absolutely is NOT selfish, but a self care activity that can show love to someone else too is never a bad idea.
15. Clear out your closet and let yourself indulge in a new cute fall outfit
One of my guilty pleasures when it comes to self care activities in the fall is to buy myself a new fall outfit.
Watching Rory Gilmore in her neutral knitted sweaters and plaid skirts at Yale always has me aching for a trip to the mall.
(Until I remember I live in San Diego and wearing a thick chunky sweater for a full day will result in me sweating like a pig, but hey. That never stops me.)
So first, do a closet clear-out to make room for new clothes so you can donate your old outfits that you don’t wear anymore.
(Read my post on how to downsize your wardrobe for tips!)
Then, for a fall self care splurge, get yourself a cute outfit that you feel fabulous in.
And don’t forget to buy yourself a silly lil coffee while you’re out.
16. Order allll the autumn drinks
Look, it’s okay if you don’t like pumpkin spice lattes. Nobody’s perfect.
BUT. There are tons of delicious fall drinks out there to choose from. From the maple or cinnamon lattes to the apple ciders and hot toddies, there’s a fall drink for everyone out there.
Indulge in the flavors of the season and enjoy every sip.
17. Go to a pumpkin patch
I don’t care if you want to buy a pumpkin or not — going to a pumpkin patch is the perfect fall self care idea.
Pumpkin patches are always a good idea 1) they smell amazing 2) it’s the perfect excuse to wear a cute flannel outfit, 3) sometimes they offer yummy cider drinks or snacks, and 4) it’ll put you in the fall mood like nothin’ else.
18. Make a fall gratitude journal
Get out your fall colored highlighters and markers and write down 3 things you’re grateful for every single day.
An example could be:
- I’m grateful for the cooler weather because I get to wear my favorite warm socks.
- I’m grateful for the yummy pumpkin chai latte I had this morning.
- I’m grateful that my family is healthy and here with me this season.
Practicing gratitude is so important during any season, but I feel like in the fall it’s even more important as seasonal depression kicks in, the pressure of upcoming holidays overwhelms us, and honestly the lack of sun can be a real bummer.
A gratitude journal helps you stay positive and keeps you grounded in all the ways you’re already blessed.
19. Do the local touristy fall activities your town offers
Every town offers some fall-related events and attractions.
Maybe it’s a fall fair, Oktoberfest, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, an apple cider making contest.
Check out the local happenings around your area, grab a friend, and go do it together!
20. Put together a fall playlist
Music is one of the best forms of self care, whether it’s fall or not.
And as anyone who’s ever heard a Lumineers or Bon Iver song knows, a song can change your mood/vibe immediately.
So, put together a playlist with all of your favorite songs that get you in the autumn mood.
You can listen to it on your commute to work, road trips, or laying in bed staring at your ceiling while breathing in your cinnamon-apple-scented candle.
21. Send postcards or small gift packages to loved ones
You know how excited you get when something comes for you in the mail? Yeah, that feeling is pretty much universal!
Spread the love by sending letters to grandparents, friends, teachers, parents, or anyone else you want.
Or, put together a small care package with Trader Joe’s holiday treats, a small candle, some tea bags, or whatever other cozy items you think your loved ones would enjoy.
Besides making someone else’s day, this is actually a great form of self care in the fall because you get to reach out and nurture the relationships you already value.
22.Take fall-themed Polaroid photos with friends
Taking cute fall photos with your phone is always an option, but there’s something extra fun about getting a Polaroid camera to take vintage-style photos.
Put on your chunky knit sweaters, hold a pumpkin, toss leaves up around you, and create a Polaroid photo album of autumn memories.
Or, hang the photos up with fairy lights in your room to keep them on display all year ‘round.
23. Put on your coziest sweater and fuzzy socks for a home movie night
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
Get cozy and enjoy a movie night with your favorite person, and don’t forget the popcorn!
24. Try your hand at knitting or crocheting
Personally, I’m terrible at crocheting, but being bad at something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.
And both of these cozy self care ideas are perfect to try out as the colder weather arrives!
You don’t have to knit anything complicated — start with something small like a bookmark, or something straight-forward like a scarf.
You’ll have fun trying something new and you’ll get more in touch with your creative side in the process.
25. Make homemade apple cider
Homemade apple cider is the perfect tasty DIY for anyone who loves the taste of fall. Plus, it’s an extra nice alternative for those who just don’t love the pumpkin spice flavors everywhere.
Find a good homemade apple cider recipe on Pinterest and try it out. If you love it, you can always make an extra batch for a friend or neighbor!
26. Have a game night with friends and serve Trader Joe’s seasonal snacks
Frickin’ Trader Joe’s and their delicious holiday snacks.
Every year they come out with more yummy food that I don’t usually indulge in, but if there was ever a time to cut yourself some slack, it’s during the holidays.
So take this fall season as the perfect opportunity to stock up on TJ’s fall treats and invite the gang over for a night of board games and cards!
27. Have a self care spa day and light a fall scented candle
We all need a good home self care day, and we might need it more than ever during the fall.
Holiday shopping, school work and finals, the colder weather, and rushing to finish up end-of-year tasks can take a toll on you.
So give yourself the time you need to recover with an at-home spa day.
Light a fall-scented candle, go all out with your skincare routine, do a hair mask, pour your favorite drink, and indulge in a little “you time.” You deserve it.
28. Go for a hike to see the leaves changing color
One of my favorite ideas to practice self care in the fall is to simply go on a hike to see the leaves changing color and breathe in the crisp autumn air.
A hike gets your body moving, your blood pumping, and your serotonin levels rising.
It’s so important for your mental health to spend time out in nature, away from technology, cement buildings, and overpopulated areas.
Not to mention it’s a great way to get in the fall mood and enjoy the season while it’s here.
29. Take a social media break
The world isn’t on your phone, friend. (And no, I’m not judging you because I’m also talking to myself here.)
Put your phone down, go outside, breathe in the crisp air, walk your dog, watch the golden leaves fall from the trees, and smile at a stranger.
Fall is meant to be enjoyed, lived, and breathed. And you can’t do that from your phone.
Conclusion to best fall self care ideas
And that concludes this list of self care ideas to try this fall!
If you found this post helpful or inspiring, please share it with a fellow human!
Before I go, I want to remind you to take your time in this season.
I swear I’m a broken record in this, but life is painfully short and breathtakingly magical.
Slow it down. Enjoy every moment, conversation, hug, kiss, delicious meal, rainy day, and Monday that you are lucky enough to have.
Soak in this moment, friend. Welcome this season with open arms and an open heart, and it shall do the same for you.
Sending you all my love and good vibes, as always.
