Feeling the blues and having trouble shifting your mindset to a new season after an eventful summer is completely normal. The vacations, parties, activities, and excess eating and drinking have come to an end, leaving many of us feeling a bit out of sorts.
Don’t worry, adjusting to the change can be challenging for everyone, us included! That’s why we’ve got you covered with a list of steps to help you ease your transition to the fall season and make the most of it.
1. Do a reset
One great way to shift your mindset from summer to fall is to do a reset. This could be an extensive home cleaning at the end of summer or shopping for a new fall wardrobe. You could also shop to help you achieve a new goal, like getting equipment for a home gym.
Another option is to consider taking a final vacation or indulging in a spa weekend. Personally, one of the little things I associate with a reset is getting a haircut. It gives me a sense of feeling lighter, both physically and mentally.
2. Take it slow and steady
Slow and steady wins the race. Going from 0 to 100 will cause you to fall off your plan before you’ve hardly begun. At first, work and obligations may feel overwhelming because you were used to a different pace during the summer.
Just like building habits and setting goals, it’s important to honor the transition. Take it one step at a time and ease into it. This includes giving yourself downtime in between to recharge.
3. Set a routine and honor it
It might sound counterintuitive, but it’s true — routine gives you freedom. By the end of the summer, your mind may be scattered and unmotivated. You might feel mentally paralyzed, unsure of how to even face this new season.
So let’s get down to the basics — establishing a foundation by building a routine, starting with a sacred morning routine. A morning routine grounds you for the rest of the day, providing precious “you time” to wake up, feel replenished, and reflect on the day ahead.
This routine gives you mental freedom and eliminates being held captive by mental paralysis.
And maybe you already have a routine that you just took a summer break from; it’s okay to ease back into that routine if it works for you! The key to making this work is honoring your routine, whatever it may be.
For more tips, read our article on establishing your daily morning routine!
4. Think ahead and set new goals
A new season is a new beginning; it’s like wiping the slate clean. Consider what you’d like to achieve during this fall season. Set goals for various aspects of your life, whether it’s work, relationships, health, or other areas.
Setting goals for each new season is a great way to establish quarterly objectives, along with daily, weekly, or monthly targets. For instance, if you want to focus on health after an indulgent summer, start by slowly incorporating healthy habits.
Once you get accustomed to one habit, continue by adding more to your routine. For example, you could start by fixing your sleep schedule and begin meal prepping. Once you’ve built that into your routine, add regular exercise, and establish a nighttime self-care routine.
5. Stick to a sleep schedule
Summer activities and travel likely disrupted your sleep schedule, but sleep is a nonnegotiable necessity. Start by deciding on a consistent time to go to sleep and wake up, aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
This might be difficult at first, especially if you’ve been staying up late during the summer. Make small adjustments, like going to bed 30 minutes earlier each night. Continue adjusting gradually until you’ve reached your goal.
For more tips, read our articles on establishing sleep hygiene habits and transforming your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary.
6. Eat healthy
Summer vacations and activities often lead to excess eating and drinking. Continuing this pattern will leave you tired and unmotivated to start the fall season. We all know exactly how this feels.
Eating healthy foods is crucial as it boosts your energy, activates your brain, and uplifts your mood. This will help you stay on track with your routine and achieve your fall goals and intentions.
For more advice, read our article on finding the best foods to boost your brain power!
7. Add things to look forward to
Transitioning to a new mindset for the fall season involves taking big steps. That’s why it’s important not only to have time to recharge but also to reward yourself. Just because it’s no longer summer, doesn’t mean you should stop making plans.
Consider adding activities that bring you joy and relaxation. This could be anything from beauty appointments and weekend trips or staycations to trying out new restaurants.
For a homebody and movie buff like me, catching up on series at home or going to the movies can be incredibly refreshing. A weekend like this always helps me feel recharged and mentally rested for the week ahead.
Don’t feel guilty about enjoying this downtime—savor it!
For more ideas, read our article on incorporating activities to boost your mood.
