How To Embrace Slower Living In Late Fall

Yesterday, I stopped everything and stepped outside. The sun was out, and the temperature was just right. I sat down on my cozy patio sofa, put my feet up, and looked up at the sky. And in that moment, peace flooded my being, and a sense of calm prevailed until a soft whining pierced the silence. It was coming from inside the house. Izzy, my chiweenie, was pleading to come out and enjoy the moment, too. I scooped her up in my arms, and we sat together, letting the crisp wind kiss our faces. The moment was pure perfection and just what we both needed. Slower living in late Fall was the task at hand, and we slayed it!

So what is slow living anyway? Izzy and I weren’t trying to escape our daily duties, at least I wasn’t! My responsibilities for the day involved a lot of household chores; hers is always sleeping…a job she takes very seriously! We decided to pause for a brief moment and bask in the beauty around us. We made a conscious effort to live in the moment and embrace peace.

Slow living means:

• simplifying daily routines before the hectic holiday season begins
• being intentional with your time, instead of running on autopilot
• savoring the simple moments
• tuning into what your body and mind need
• choosing presence instead of rushing

And there is no better time to do this than now. Halloween is over, and the mad rush of early Fall activities is just subsiding. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season hasn’t quite set in yet. It is the perfect time to practice slower living. Let’s do it together, shall we?

Follow nature’s cue and embrace slower living in late Fall

I can feel the changes setting in: colder days, less sunlight, and a sense of quiet blanketing each day. It’s a stillness that you either accept or let drag you down. Change has always been difficult for me to navigate, but one lesson I have learned over the years is that small changes in mindset can work wonders in every aspect of life. If nature can take a bow and wind down, so can you.

While the rest of the world is gearing up for the holiday season, hit the pause button and allow yourself to unwind and decompress before the craziness picks up. Pour into yourself, give yourself grace, and give yourself permission to cherish the simple things in life, the things we often take for granted. If nature can wind down, so can you. Follow nature’s cue.

So before the last leaf has fallen, and the last little creature has retreated into its hideaway, make up your mind to choose presence in the moment instead of rushing, simplify routines, be intentional with your time, and savor the simple moments life has to offer. And no, you’re not being lazy or unproductive; you’re simply forming a path to mental clarity, emotional balance, and reduced stress. Your future self will thank you!

Practical ways to embrace slower living

Say “yes” less, and “not tonight” more

I already have a tight handle on this one! It is my mantra, the introvert’s rite of passage, and a quiet invitation to you to let go of commitments that drain your time and energy. It is okay to say no! You don’t have to attend every event on your calendar. You have the right to pick and choose the ones that nourish your soul, or the ones that are absolutely necessary. Your life, your choices.

Make a “slow-living basket”

Grab a few simple items that help you relax and unwind, and put them all in a small basket.

• A book
• A journal or notepad
• A warm, fuzzy blanket
• A photo album
• A pack of cards
• A favorite stuffed animal
• An essential oil roller
• Your favorite snack

Whenever you feel the need, reach in and pull something out.

Pause and enjoy the transition moments of late Fall

Some days are so cold that I don’t even care to set foot outside, but there are those special days that come wrapped in sunbeams, and it would be remiss of me not to step out and let the warm sunshine touch my face. These are the gifts the universe gives, and I accept them with open arms.

Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees now, but there are a few stragglers left behind. My sweet doggies love catching leaves as they flutter down to the ground, so every day we take a walk in the backyard and play catch the leaves before they’ve all fallen. So fun to watch! It puts a smile on my face every time. Their joy and playfulness are infectious, serving as a reminder that life doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, easy and carefree is just what the doctor ordered.

Late Fall is full of tiny pauses, embrace them!

Make a slow living playlist

It is against my natural instinct to play slower, quieter music, but it is undeniable that softer music sets the tone for peace and calm more than anything else. So, I have set out to create a different kind of playlist from what I’m used to. I’m exploring instrumental pieces and music with a coffee shop vibe to set the tone for slower morning and evening rituals. Now, as I sip my morning coffee or wind down for bed, I hit play and let my slow living playlist take the lead. What would you put on your playlist?

Practice a 10-minute tidy every day

Set a timer, and pick one area to tidy. Maybe it’s that “everything” drawer that’s been driving you nuts, or a shoe rack that has gotten out of hand….pick something and tackle it for ten minutes. It’s amazing how much calmer a space feels after a tiny reset.

You don’t need to clean the whole house all at once, and even though that would be ideal, I choose to give myself grace as I accept the limitations that my autoimmune disease puts on me.

Even more ways to embrace slower living in late Fall

Create a “slow weekend” tradition

This one is my favorite! Don’t mess with my Sunday mornings! But if Sunday mornings don’t work for you, feel free to choose one morning or evening on the weekend and make it deliberately unrushed.

For me, no alarm clock will ever rudely awaken me on Sunday mornings. I allow myself to sleep in and get the beauty rest that I deserve. It definitely helps that my husband and I are empty nesters; we don’t have to feel guilty about getting a slow, peaceful start to the day. Whatever time of day you choose, make it sacred: no tight plans, no unnecessary commitments, and no chaos. It’s all about creating a deliberate plan to slow down and just enjoy being alive.

Practice one “gentle” thing each day

Before you start each day, choose an activity that feels gentle and unrushed, and let that gentle vibe set the tone for the rest of your day.

• Five deep breaths before you get out of bed
• Five good stretches before you get out of bed
• Your skincare routine: don’t skip steps
• A mindful shower
• A slow breakfast
• Read a few pages from a book
• Make a journal entry
• Sit at a window and look out into the world

Journal, with a focus on introspection and action

Late Fall is the perfect time for introspection and reflection before we dive into the Winter months. Focus on one prompt a day. This prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and ensures that each prompt gets the attention and thought it deserves.

A few prompts to try:

• What lessons have I learned so far this Fall?
• Which people or things have added value and warmth to my Fall season thus far?
• Which moments of the day make me feel calm and alive?
• How have I grown so far this Fall?
• What can I eliminate from my routine?
• What areas of my life have been neglected and deserve more of my attention?
• How can I show up for myself with more tenderness?
• How can I enter the Winter months with softness instead of stress?
• What am I ready to release as the year comes to an end?

Create a cozy, gentle evening routine

Usually, for me, however the day ends, it ends. I just let the activities of the day dictate when and how my day ends. This late Fall, I am choosing to create my evening routine with slow living in mind. I am taking back control!

Here’s what my evening routine looks like, after dinner as I wind down before bed:

• a warm seasonal drink and a favorite snack
• Fall scented candles
• flameless candles on the mantle, as the fireplace keeps us nice and toasty
• my book of choice: currently reading Summer At Firefly Beach by Jenny Hale (because honestly, I haven’t fully let Summer go!!)
• cuddles with my three dogs, all wrapped up in my favorite blanket (yes, they all fit in there!!)
• a warm shower right before bed in my candlelit bathroom

None of these things requires any extra effort, and the usual activities, like a daily shower, are simply enhanced with extra coziness! Perfection!

Upgrade your cozy beverage game

Warm drinks aren’t just drinks-they’re routines in a mug! Sip slower, savor the warmth, and let the moment anchor you. Sometimes it’s the smallest comforts that create the biggest shifts.

Transition into Winter with intention

Instead of rushing headfirst into Winter, ease into it. You’re not slowing down because you’re falling behind; you’re just being attentive enough to notice the season inviting you to. Break up preparation into doable chunks, and by all means, rest when you need to. Don’t try to keep up with everyone else, go at your own pace, and savor every moment!

In conclusion

Now that I have made the commitment to embrace slower living in late Fall, I finally feel like I have regained control. There’s a level of joy and satisfaction that comes with planning things for yourself and bringing them to fruition. I know that as an empty nester, this seems more possible and doable, but I urge you to carve out little moments in your day that nourish you. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup, so be intentional about embracing slower living, because when the busy season starts, you will wish you did.

As an introvert, some of the things I mentioned come more naturally to me, almost like the air that I breathe, such as cutting unnecessary things from my routine or allowing myself me-time. You may feel selfish for prioritizing your own needs, but once you become intentional in everything you do, you won’t regret it. Practice makes perfect. Do all the things until they feel like second nature to you.

So, my dear readers, I hope you found some value in my ramblings, and I hope that you, too, will make the commitment to embrace slower living in late Fall.

“Take the time to enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” -Robert Brault.

Thanks for reading, and till we meet again, Hope and Peace to you all!