The Spirit of Fall
When it comes to the changing of a new season, we have to purposefully stop and usher it in ourselves. The change from one season to the next happens slowly when you’re not looking.
For us here in the deep south we often see Fall on the calendar before we feel it or see it outside. We kind of have our own special season, a mix between summer and fall leaning more towards summer with a sporadic dash of hurricane weather.
Whether you live in a part of the country that experiences all four seasons or not, you still have to be mindful of the season you’re in or you’ll look up one day and it’s time to make your New Year Resolutions.
With that, let’s take a purposeful pause and feel the Spirit of Fall!
Fall is a sensory experience.
The sounds of the leaves crunching underfoot, the smell of a match lighting a bonfire, the soft glow of lamplight in the evening, the taste of a homemade spiced pie, and the chill in the air that prompts you to grab your favorite sweatshirt entice our senses in the most comforting ways.
Engaging your senses is one of the most effective ways to fully experience the season. Here are some ideas of things you can do to ignite your senses and feel all that Autumn magic!
Light Candles
When the right kind of scent wafts through the room and you catch a whiff of Stockbridge under your nose you will feel Fall. Your sense of smell is powerfully connected to your memories and feelings. A perfectly scented fall candle can take you back to your most cherished fall memories.
And as a bonus, lit candles make your home feel cozy, which is by far one of the most important feelings of Fall - coziness.
One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of Fall is to buy a few of the seasonal candles at the Merc. My husband (who loves the candles just as much as I do) and I make a big to-do about going into the Merc and smelling all of the candles and saying what it reminds us of. It’s one of our favorite mini-traditions!
My personal favorites this time of year are Stockbridge and Mama’s House.
Bake Seasonal Treats & Make Soup
There is nothing more important in the world than the moment the oven timer sounds off and your pumpkin bread is ready. Enjoying a warm slice of chocolate chip pumpkin bread with a cup of strong coffee might be one of the most relaxing experiences you can ever have.
The special baked goods and hearty soups that are synonymous with Fall are intended to warm you up from the inside out. Pies, breads, casseroles, and soups are all warm and filling by design.
And I’ve never met anyone who isn’t a little bit more cheerful than after having a slice of homemade pie.
Set aside time to bake one of these homemade pies and breads and start a batch of soup in your Dutch Oven.
Watch Special Movies and Make a Fall Playlist
Whether it’s the director’s intentions or not, some movies are just associated with Fall. During this season I always want to watch You’ve Got Mail, Remember the Titans, and Little Women. The dialogue, the settings, and the scenery in these movies just feel like Fall to me.
Just like certain movies feel like Fall, the same goes for music! Hearing particular songs from special albums can amplify the Fall vibes. When I think of the kind of music I’d like to listen to for Fall I picture what I would enjoy listening to the most if I were to take a long drive down a beautiful road.
If you need some Autumnal music suggestions, check out this Laurel Mercantile Fall playlist from Erin. It’s thoughtfully curated and so pleasant to listen to no matter what you’re doing.
Wrap Up In A Cozy Blanket
Something as simple as wrapping yourself in a blanket is so immensely comforting that I find myself looking forward to it all day. Between the feel of the soft textures and the weight of the material, the warmth that seeps into your skin signals the powerful feelings of rest and safety.
Excuse me while I take a minute to daydream about watching my favorite television show as I sit under my blanket…
Visit With Your Favorite People
Between the classic seasonal events like Fall Festivals (we love our town’s Loblolly Festival!), the county fair, and Thanksgiving, there are so many opportunities to spend time with friends and family.
While the Fall season is a busy time of year, you can invite your loved ones into the fun with you and spend time with them as you watch your kids run through the pumpkin patch.
You could even invite a group of friends over to your home for a special bonfire night just to get together for no special reason.
Seeing the people you love and enjoying your time together is the real Spirit of Fall.
It doesn’t take much to fully immerse yourself into the sensory goodness of Autumn., just a little intentionality and mindfulness.
I hope that you make every moment count and cross off every item on your seasonal bucket list!
