I’m not sure about you, but fall is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. I felt all the warm & cozy fall vibes in the beginning of September, but that suddenly faded away without notice. Last year, I wrote down a to-do list of things I wanted to enjoy with my family because it was Collins’ first Fall, and as I accomplished that list, I felt the season surrounding me like a hug.

This last week, I’ve considered why fall hasn’t felt the same to me this year. I’m not rushing to get my fall decorations down, knowing our attic is full of things to be gone through and not wanting my husband to face the atrocity. I’ve not given any thought of going to pumpkin patch to get any pictures or any pumpkins for that matter.

I truly enjoy baking and have a few favorite recipes in my list to make, and have yet to put forth any effort of accomplishing those things. I’ve recently discovered that I’ve put other things as a priority and due to it, I believe that feelings of fall have evaporated from me.

I pondered if there was a way for me to still enjoy the fall season while I faced the other big needs that seemed to be distracting me from enjoying this season. These necessary needs seemed to have taken away the fall vibe without warning. So, my question is, how does one enjoy fall when faced with other things that may seem to take away that new seasonal joy?

For others who may be struggling, I’ve assembled a short list of ideas that may help you encourage the feelings of fall while faced with other things that may be necessary or suddenly placed on your shoulders. If you’re anything like me, you want your loved ones to enjoy their time around you and at times, that may mean dying to yourself and your feelings to create an atmosphere of fun, happiness and thrill.

5 Ways To Create the Fall Atmosphere When You Don’t Feel It

1. Open Your Windows

The last couple of months, Roman and I have been really devoted to saving money where we can. Opening the windows and being conscientious of our ac usage has actually saved us over $100 this past month. Not only is that savings exciting, but listening to our wind chime on our back porch and feeling a slightly nippy breeze has given us the feeling of fall vibes and a sense of joy, freedom & relaxation.

2. Change The Scenery by Eating Outside Or Going On A Picnic

Recently, Roman and I were in the mountains and we chose taking a picnic in the mountains versus going out to eat. It was the perfect way to feel the crisp fall air gently kiss our cheeks, taking our hearts to a place of thankfulness. There’s just something about surrounding yourself in nature. You begin to appreciate the faithfulness of God in your life in every single way that no words can describe.

3. Clean Your House

Oh, yes! I know cleaning your house feels like a chore to some. However, something God has worked on in my own heart is that although I may not always like what must be done; I always like the results and the results are always worth it. I think that’s something that can be said over anything in our life. Maybe working on a budget doesn’t feel like fun, but the results can be something very rewarding. Parenting can be hard, but the results of proper parenting will be an extraordinary blessing in the end. Anyway, cleaning your house will invite an incredibly peaceful atmosphere in your home that often is associated with fall.

4. Ponder 3-5 Ways You Can Be A Blessing To Someone Else & Write Them Down.

My encouragement to you is to write down some ways that you can be a blessing to others. With some, it may be giving something financially, and others may not have that option. Personally, something I’ve thought about recently is to make a Pumpkin Loaf & Buy 1/2 gallons of iced coffee from the store & send with my husband to work for his co-workers. That would cost me about $10 or less & something I know they would love and appreciate.

Other free or inexpensive options may be to babysit someone’s children so the parents and can go on a date night, serving at a soup kitchen, helping your local church with one of their current outreaches or making meals for someone who just had surgery. Regardless of what comes to your mind, write them down and pick an item or two that you can do. The feelings of giving goes beyond that of receiving.

5. Host A Family & Friend Fall Dinner

There’s just something special about people coming together to just celebrate just because you can. There doesn’t always have to be a reason. This is something that has been on my heart for years, but find it difficult to accomplish with where I live. So, I pray you can take my idea and something special with your friends and family. You can have others bring soup or even bring their favorite fall foods along. How fun it would be to see what people’s favorite fall foods are! You can keep it super simple, lighting some candles & playing some board games or go all out by setting tables up outside along with fall outdoor games, have a fire going and just enjoy the fellowship. Create a menu and have fun!

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Top Three Picks of the Week

• For Breakfast: Wake-up Wraps. With 4 ingredients, these are super easy to make and satisfies your hunger. 1 piece of bacon, 1 egg, 1 slice of cheese and 1 tortilla. Cook accordingly and place in tortilla and toast the tortilla in the frying pan until golden.
• Gilmore Girls: Currently watching on Netflix. I’ve never watched this series before and have thoroughly been enjoying it. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
• Weekly Chore Chart: I enjoy designing things and recently updated my Weekly Chore Chart from our old rental to fit the needs of my current house. For each day of the week, I have a set room/area that I deep clean, and then I focus on tidying throughout the day in various places that way I’m not overwhelmed with cleaning every single day and everything gets done & hopefully stays clean and orderly.

Current Reads

• Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
• Holy Hygge by Jamie Erickson
• Abide In Christ by Andrew Murray