October is my favorite month of the year, anyone else? I love that the weather finally allows me to pull out my favorite sweaters. The shorter days seem to make life naturally slow down just a bit.
Having my favorite candles burning a warm fall fragrance, cuddling up on the couch with my favorite throw and either a good book or a favorite movie is one of my happy places!
To enjoy these things I know I need to be on top of simplifying my life. Because fall is my favorite season of the year, I want to enjoy all that the season has to offer, which includes extra time with my favorite people.
Download the Calendar by clicking the image below, you’ll want to refer to it all month long!
In case you missed last month’s calendar, you can grab that here.
31 Ways to Simplify This Fall
If you want to join me in some fun ways to simplify this fall, then October’s Simplicity Calendar is filled with ways to slow down, simplify, and soak up the season. I hope it inspires you to slow down, simplify, and make it your favorite fall season yet!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase something mentioned in this post. See more details here.
1. Buy a New Fall Scented Candle
I think another reason I love fall so much is all the amazing scents of the season. Burning a candle in a favorite fall scent makes our home feel so warm, cozy, and inviting.
Take some time to slow down, simplify, and enjoy your home by ordering a few candles with your favorite fall scents, and just sit and enjoy!
Here are a few of my favorites; I love this one, not only does it smell amazing but it is all-natural which I always prefer. However, it is a bit pricey. For a more budget-friendly fall scent, you might love this one.
2. Sign-Up For an Online Course
Did you know that online courses are huge right now? You can pretty much find a course for any subject that you’re interested in. Personally, I love learning new things. You can check out the Udemy platform for a wide variety of courses.
Prices range from free to $$$. While I do firmly believe you get what you pay for, even a free course is a great way to slow down and learn something new.
3. Invest in a Good Moisturizer
The one thing I don’t absolutely love this time of year is the dryer weather that comes with fall. Between the fall winds and the use of our heaters, our skin is much dryer than during the summer months.
This is the time to pick up a good quality moisturizer. Good quality doesn’t have to mean expensive. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with this moisturizer which is very reasonably priced. If you have a little bigger budget this moisturizer receives top ratings.
You deserve to feel and look great all season long, so use that moisturizer!
4. Listen to Live Music
Listening to good music always improves my mood, but going out and watching a live show just takes it up a notch.
Whether you choose a large concert venue featuring one of your favorite musicians or get out and enjoy the local jazz band, it’s a fantastic way to slow down and be present in the moment.
5. Declutter Your Tupperware
To be honest, I’ve flat-out ditched the vast majority of my Tupperware containers. There is just so much evidence that the harmful chemicals in plastic leach out into our food.
While I recommend switching over to glass containers, it’s okay to keep a few plastic containers. Just make sure they are in good shape. If they have missing lids or are stained or damaged go ahead and toss them out.
Getting this area of your cupboard decluttered will feel great!
6. Write a Fall Bucket List
There are so many fun things to do during the fall season! Picnics, football games, outdoor fires with smores, apple picking, pumpkin carving, the list goes on.
Simplify this fall by making a bucket list of all your favorite fall activities and see how many you can cross off the list before the end of the season.
If you need some inspiration here’s a fun list to get the ideas flowing.
7. Send the Kids to Bed Early
If you’ve got little ones at home, your days are busy and it’s hard to find some quiet time. But sometimes you just have to make the time. Make some time tonight by sending the kids to bed a little early.
It’s a great time to sit with your spouse and reconnect or spend some much-needed alone time pampering you!
8. Decorate for Fall
If you haven’t already, decorate your home for fall. No need to go all out, a few little touches here and there will help you appreciate the season and slow down just a bit.
Add a fall table runner with a small white pumpkin or two and a favorite vase with some eucalyptus leaves. You can add a few fall pillows or a new cozy throw, whatever says fall to you.
Now, light that fall-scented candle you got at the beginning of the month and you might be amazed at how simple things begin to feel!
9. Watch a Documentary
Every now and again I get into watching documentaries on certain subjects. Netflix has a good selection of documentaries on a ton of subjects.
What I enjoy about documentaries is they challenge my thinking. Watching various episodes on the American diet had a big impact on changing my eating habits. Of course, the Minimalist documentary is also a good one.
Pick one that you find interesting and I’ll bet you’ll learn a few new things.
10. Enjoy a Pumpkin Spice Food or Beverage
Are you into the pumpkin spice craze this time of year? I have to say, I’m not pumpkin everything, but there are a few things I like to pick up that you can only get this time of year. An occasional pumpkin spice coffee or some fresh farmers market pumpkin butter are my go-to’s.
It’s one of those little things that make you want to slow down and enjoy the flavors of this one-time-a-year favorite.
11. Visit a Farmers Market
Visiting farmers’ markets is one of my absolute favorite things to do. Strolling through the market on a cool crisp day, taking in the scents of the fresh seasonable produce and the beauty of fresh-cut flowers makes life instantly feel simpler.
For fun ways to simplify this fall make certain to visit your favorite farmers’ market.
12. Declutter Coats and Sweaters
Fall is the perfect time to declutter those coats and sweaters. It will help you know exactly what needs to be replaced or repaired before the weather starts getting too chilly.
Find any items that are ripped, stained, or beyond repair and toss them. For items that no longer fit but are still in decent condition consider donating them.
For the items that are still in good condition and you know you’ll wear them, put them back in your closet and make a list of any items you may need to fill in.
13. Create A Fall Menu Plan
As the seasons change so do my meal plans. Fall and winter are all about comfort foods. Soups, hearty chilis, and roasted veggies dominate our meal plans.
Creating a fall meal plan, which consists of your favorite fall foods will put an end to so much of the weeknight stress of trying to figure out what to feed your hungry people!
14. Take a Self-Defense Class
Okay, this just may be a reminder for me ;). But seriously, I do believe that knowing how to defend yourself would alleviate a certain amount of stress if you ever found yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
This is especially true for women. You may not exactly feel relaxed, but you will feel more confident.
15. Take the Day Off
We all need an occasional day off just because. If you work outside the home, take a mental health day, and do whatever makes you happy.
If you stay at home, you can still take the day off, okay you may not be able to just abandon the kids, but really everyone will survive if you skip laundry for one day or let the dust go a little. Go out to eat or order takeout so you don’t have to cook.
Change up your routine and do life a whole lot slower for today!
16. Be Kind
I love the quote “In a world where you can be anything, Be Kind”. Far too often we’re so busy rushing through our days that we fail to take a few extra moments to just stop and be kind. Slow down and simplify this fall by making an extra effort to be kind.
Say hello to the stranger on the elevator, ask the grocery store clerk how she’s doing, or say thank you to the mailman. Leave room for the driver wanting to make a lane change or leave a big tip for your breakfast waitress.
It doesn’t take much to be kind, but the rewards are huge!
17. Work on a Project You’ve Put Off
We all do it —- procrastinate from time to time. Today spend at least 30 minutes working on that project you’ve been putting off. It will feel so good to know that you’ve made some progress!
18. Play a Board Game
Making time to be together and enjoy the people you care about should be an ongoing part of your schedule. Whether it’s just family or you invite a few friends over, board games bring everyone together for a slow and wonderful time.
When it comes to finding ways to simplify this fall, make sure it involves spending lots of time with your favorite people, so schedule a board game night for lots of fun!
19. Declutter Unnecessary Paperwork
Most of us have way more paper in our house than we need. A great way to simplify this fall is to spend a little time scanning any papers that you want to keep a record of but do not need the original.
These documents can be safely stored in the cloud and free up a ton of space in your home. Once everything is scanned and uploaded to the cloud just toss the hard copy.
Here are some more ways to finally conquer the paper clutter!
20. Order Your New Planner
There are only two months left of the year. Now is a good time to start thinking about ordering your new planner.
My favorite planner, which I’ve been using for the past several years is the Living Well Planner. What I love about it, is that it has everything you need all in one spot. Monthly goal planning sheets, budgeting sheets, a place for meal planning, and of course keeping track of your schedule.
I am a firm believer that failing to plan is one of the major things that complicate life. To simplify life this fall make sure you’re regularly planning out your days.
All subscribers to the newsletter receive a free printable planner, you can sign up by clicking the image above. If you prefer a pre-printed and bound planner, I highly recommend the Living Well Planner, it is seriously my favorite!
21. Have Homemade Soup for Dinner
Fall weather means soup weather! Having a pot of homemade soup simmering on the stove shouts slow down and simplify! There are a ton of easy soup recipes on Pinterest. This one sounds yummy and healthy!
22. Buy Sunflowers
Sunflowers are beautiful this time of year. A few sunflowers in a tall vase bring a sense of beauty and calm to your space.
Fresh flowers will always be one of my favorite ways to treat myself. It’s a little thing that lifts my spirits for the entire week!
23. Get Your Heart Pumping
The cooler weather has us staying inside more often, but getting your exercise is still so important. Life feels anything but simple if you’re not at your physical best.
So do something today to get your heart pumping, even if it’s just a jog around the block or some jumping jacks in your living room, you’ll be glad you did it!
24. Drink Hot Apple Cider
To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of Apple Cider, it’s a little sweat for me. However, I usually end up having at least one glass during the fall season. There’s something about sipping it warm that makes it a simple little way to enjoy the season.
25. Visit a Corn Maze
If you’ve never done this you need to! A corn maze is another one of those things that you really can only do this time of year. It’s fun for the entire family or if you want to have some adult fun, go at night.
26. Declutter your Cleaning Products
Most of us have way more cleaning products than we need. The majority of those products can be replaced with one good multi-purpose cleaner.
Go through your cleaning products and combine any bottles that are low or toss them out. For cleaning products you purchased but ended up not liking, get rid of them, there is absolutely no reason to keep them.
Consider investing in a few under-the-sink organizers to keep everything nice and neat.
27. Plan Out Your Goals For Next Month
To keep your focus on the things that matter most, it’s important to take time each month to plan simple goals for each of the important areas of life. These should, at a minimum, consist of your relationships, home environment or projects, health and fitness, finances, career/business, spiritual growth, and self-care.
By setting monthly goals in each of these areas you’ll keep your focus where it’s most important and accomplish those things that matter most to you!
28. Read a Book For Fun
I feel like I read a lot and I do. Yet, it’s actually rare that I sit and read a book just for fun. At the same time, reading is a wonderful way to slow down and simplify your life.
There’s something about getting lost in a good book that nothing else is like it. So carve out some time today or this evening to read something that’s just for fun!
29. Make a Halloween Themed Recipe
Life should be celebrated! I love taking every opportunity to do just that! How fun to make a special Halloween-themed meal. This one is adorable and nutritious, which makes it a must-do!
After all, simplifying life is all about making life feel special, it’s the little festive things that do just that!
30. Write Down a Memorable Event From the Month
As you take a few moments to reflect back on the month, jot down a favorite memory or memorable event from the month. This will keep your focus positive and show exactly how your efforts to simplify are paying off!
31. Dress Up
Why should the kids have all the fun? You are never too old to dress up and have fun, even if it’s just to hand out candy from home. You’ll have fun and the kids will love it, I promise!
So there you have it, 31 fun ways to simplify this fall. Challenge yourself to try them all!
[…] In case you missed October’s calendar, you can grab that here. […]