Another year passed, another summer is gone, and another welcome to autumn. Today is the first official day of fall.
“Notice that autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
I truly do love this time of year. I think it’s really the most coziness you can get. Together time. It’s very hyggelig and that’s why I love it so much. Things slow down, the pace changes, we get into habits and routines and just be. And as someone who lives slowly, this is the perfect time for me. I’d trade a summer by the beach any day for an autumn wrapped up in blankets by the fireplace with my friends chatting away and drinking tea. It’s definitely my kind of thing. I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite things to do for autumn when you’re slow living. And maybe, if you’re used to go, go, go, this year you’ll slow down a bit, embrace the rhythms of fall, and see how it might just change your life.
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Visit a pumpkin patch
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This one is definitely first on my list. Growing up, my dad would find a pumpkin patch out in the middle of nowhere, usually a few hours from our home. We would load up the car on a Saturday, bring along any friends that wanted to come, and go find a diner on the way that gave us a good ole country meal (we’re from the South). Then, we’d head to a family-owned pumpkin patch and spend hours wandering around finding the best pumpkins we could. I always managed to leave with one of the sadder looking ones that I thought no one else would love. Then, we’d get home and the younger ones would carve the pumpkins while my mom roasted the pumpkin seeds for a snack. It was the perfect welcome to autumn, and is a tradition I hope to carry down in my family for years to come.
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Forage for berries
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Berries are abundant during this time of year. While I’m in the U.K., I’ve been going on morning runs and have seen so many blackberries lining the roads and trails. One great idea is to take a basket outside and wander to your nearest forest (you want to be away from the roads so you don’t get any berries with smog on them) to forage for berries. Fill up your basket and then bring them home, place them in a bowl and fill with water in the sink to make sure all the dirt and little friends pop up to the top, then clean them off and they’re ready to eat or bake with. A few pieces of inspiration on foraging:
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Take a solo trip to somewhere new
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I love rooting down in the autumn and really connecting to my inner self. With the days becoming quieter and everyone focused on their own schedules, it’s easy to take more time for me. One of my favorite ways to do this is a solo adventure. I’ll hop in my car and go for a drive, or take the train somewhere new. I always feel like a different person when I’m traveling by myself. A little more confident, a little more in charge. It’s one of my favorite ways to connect to me. If you haven’t ever done a trip by yourself, just try taking an afternoon and driving to a new town. Or, a day trip by train to somewhere you’ve been wanting to go but haven’t had the time for. Little by little, you’ll realize how sacred it is to be alone and you’ll crave it when you need it most.
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Craft and DIY
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I love getting crafty in the cooler months. Making wreaths, decorating the house, candle-making and knitting. It’s all my favorite. A few crafts and DIY’s I love:
- Knit A Kit From Wool & The Gang
- Hand Knit A Chunky Blanket From Lauren Aston Designs
- Natural Wax Candle Making
- Attend A Wreath Making Workshop or Make One Yourself
- Make A Dried Orange Garland
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Stop by the farmer’s market
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I love slow living because it doesn’t just have to be about you but also about your impact on the environment and everyone else around you. One of the best ways to implement slow living in the kitchen is by buying seasonal produce. And the best place to shop seasonally? Your local farmer’s market. Pop over and walk around, meet the farmers and see what goodies you can find. I love to view it as a challenge and then come up with a dish when I get home from whatever I found. At our local market, there’s usually a few people who make full dishes as well so I love grabbing some Sri Lankan food or vegan baked goods for lunch when I get home. It’s also a great way to connect with your neighborhood and meet more like-minded people that truly care about where their food comes from. And don’t forget your reusable shopping bags!
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Catch a sunrise or sunset
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With the colder months approaching also comes shorter days. As much as I love the endless sunshine in the summer, I really love my sunsets and sunrises. Take a few minutes to sit on your porch, walk to the park, or wherever you can catch the view and just enjoy it. Get your Vitamin D and maybe bring along a thermos full of a hot drink. It’s the little things that make our lives magical.
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Read by candlelight
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One of the best ways to unwind is by running a warm bath with your favorite bath bombs, lighting all the candles, playing some relaxing music, maybe sipping on a glass of wine, and delving into a new book. Reading by candlelight instantly gives me cozy vibes and is something I love doing in the autumn months. Some books on my list to read over these next few months:
- Circe by Madeline Miller
- Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin
- The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir
- Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
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Bake, bake, bake
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Truly, what says “autumn” more than a kitchen filled with fresh baked goods? Tis’ the season for giving, and my favorite way to show someone I care is by bringing them a treat. I usually spend hours in the kitchen around this time trying new recipes and snacking in between. It’s such a special time, and I love seeing the joy on people’s faces when they come into our home and have something warm to enjoy. Here are some of my favorite baked goods recipes. All are vegan.
- These pumpkin cinnamon rolls by Minimalist Baker are divine.
- These one bowl jumbo chocolate chip cookies from Oh She Glows are my favorite cookie recipe ever, plus they’re gluten-free.
- I basically worship the ground Ella Mills from Deliciously Ella walks on, and these sweet potato brownies were my first foray into vegan/gluten-free baking, and are still a favorite today.
- If you’ve got a day to kill and want to be adventurous, I’ve always wanted to make this boozy Irish wedding cake from Oh, Ladycakes. Ashlae writes delectable recipes and her writing is as enjoyable as the food. Even if you’re not up for baking a cake, this blog post is one of my favorites of hers.
- Another great recipe from Minimalist Baker is the pumpkin bread (also gf). Soo delicious!
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Embrace more hygge
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Hygge is all about the idea of being cozy and enjoying togetherness. Grab a book and spend the night in, make dinner for all your friends, light candles, take a bath… there are so many ways to curate more hygge into your life. If you’re looking for a place to start, download my free autumn hygge checklist here.
And with that, I welcome you to autumn, friend. Let’s savor every moment.
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