Simple Ways To Beat The Post-Summer Slump

September 22 marked the official end of Summer 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere, but in all honesty, it ended for me the day my kids went back to their respective lives. They weren’t with us all Summer, but we saw them often, and we had our last hurrah together celebrating my daughter’s 21st birthday. It was a fitting end to our Summer escapades, and it delivered the perfect dose of contentment to keep my mama heart full over the next few months. But the life of an empty nester often ebbs and flows, and the transition back to being without kids can sometimes be challenging. So I came up with a plan to beat the post-Summer slump.

Change has always been hard for me; I am, after all, a creature of habit. But change is inevitable, and so over the past few years, I have worked tirelessly to sharpen my skills of adaptation. An easy task? Not by a long shot, but I am determined to preserve my mental health and mental well-being at all costs. I owe it to myself most of all, but I owe it to my family, too.

For most people, the transition into fall is challenging because their social landscape shifts, leading to fewer outings with friends, more time indoors due to cooler temperatures, or busier lives as kids return to school and extracurricular activities intensify. I prefer the cooler temperatures myself, and as an introvert, I don’t have a particularly busy social calendar. In fact, the only thing that could push me into a slump is not seeing my kids as often as I would like. Whatever your unique situation, I hope you will stick around and explore my ideas to help you and I beat the post-Summer slump.

Lifestyle shifts to beat the post-summer slump

Change up your morning routine

Revamping your coffee routine is a good place to start. Goodness no, I’m not asking you to stop drinking coffee! The horror! But how about enjoying it (or another beverage of choice) in a different setting from the one you’re used to? That’s my plan! I’ve already purchased the cutest little bistro set to put on my deck so I can sit and sip my coffee. Where I live, Summer was just too hot to do that, so I am really looking forward to switching things up a bit. Having a warm cup of joe on a cool, crisp morning sounds like absolute perfection to me!

Perhaps you could start off the day in a different way altogether. Enjoy a brief stroll in the crisp morning air, meditate for ten to twenty minutes, journal, or do some stretches. The ball is in your court; you can literally do anything you want, in any order, for as long as you want to. After all, variety is the spice of life!

Set fresh daily or weekly goals

New seasons often mean new goals. But coming up with a list to span the entire Fall season can be overwhelming. So for now, I am sticking to weekly goals. For me, bite-sized goals work better. When I complete goals, I can check them off more frequently than if I had set monthly goals. I absolutely love that feeling of satisfaction. It’s just the right amount of motivation I need to keep working through my list.

Revamp the dinner menu

Fall dinners are all about comfort: rich flavors, seasonal produce, and hearty dishes that make your home smell amazing. In fact, pumpkins, squash, apples, and root vegetables are among the most popular ingredients at this time of year. Let the change of season inspire little tweaks in your meals, reminding you that change can be yummy as well! By all means, keep your favorite meals in your weekly rotation, but add a few new dishes to mix things up and bring just the right amount of cozy to mealtime. And of course, don’t forget to include some popular fall-inspired beverages as well.

Transition to Fall-Inspired decor

This right here is the best way I know to beat the post-Summer slump! It’s fun, and it’s completely up to me to do whatever I want. Over the years, I have accumulated a lovely collection of Fall decorations, so unfortunately, I don’t need to shop for more. Bummer! However, as trends change, I may occasionally refresh my decor collection. I don’t decorate for Halloween, which is why I slide right into Fall decor.

High-impact, low-cost ideas:

Fall candles: There are many scents available that aptly represent the season, and are a perfect way to soften the mood, slip into relaxation mode, and tantalize your sense of smell. Swap out citrusy and floral candles for Fall candles with cinnamon, cedarwood, or vanilla notes, to name a few.

Here are a few of my favorites:

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Plants: Add a touch of color to your outdoor space by incorporating some seasonal plants. My favorites are chrysanthemums and asters. Do you have any favorites?

Buy a new rug: Indoor, outdoor, or both! Change things up so you don’t have to look at the same old tired rug day in and day out.

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Fall pillow covers: I have pillow covers for every season. It’s a great way to change things up without breaking the bank.

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Fall kitchen towels: This is another easy, inexpensive way to Autumnize your home. Autumnize….I was so excited to be coining a new word, only to suffer the massive letdown that the word already existed, and I’m not that clever after all! Oh well!

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Seasonal coffee mug: I’ll start by admitting that I have a mug-collecting problem. I have way too many! But now that I think of it, I don’t have a Fall-inspired mug. What?! How could this be? Easy fix, hello Amazon!

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Pumpkin decor: Arguably my favorite item that is everywhere for Fall! The choices of pumpkins are out of this world, and whether you choose real or decorative, fake options, you can’t go wrong! This early in the season, I stick to using fake pumpkins to avoid having rotted pumpkins before the season is over. But soon enough, I’ll be heading to the pumpkin patch, which happens to be right down my street, to pick out the coolest, cutest pumpkins I can find. I can’t wait! My husband on the other hand…..

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Fall bedding/blankets: I’ll let you in on a little secret. I rarely go into my kids’ bedrooms anymor, except for the occasional cleaning. Stepping into their rooms is a stark reminder of their absence in our daily lives. The feeling of emptiness has lessened over the years, but it still lingers on.

This year, I’m going to do things differently. In an attempt to beat the post-Summer slump, I’ll be putting some cute Fall bedding on their beds, even though it won’t be used till they get home for Thanksgiving. It will add a festive touch to their untouched rooms, but it will also serve as a reminder that they will be back soon enough to cuddle up under their blankets. I know that some parents have suffered the unimaginable and have buried their children. Now the rooms are permanently empty. My heart goes out to them. I remember these parents when I start feeling sorry for myself, and I make a point of being grateful for what I have.

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Embrace the cooler weather and head outdoors

During this time of the year, I always check the weather apps before planning any outdoor activities. I also remind myself that, yes, it’s cold, but not as cold as the Winter months can be. Honestly, I’ll take the cooler weather any day over the hot sun, but I’ll make an exception for the sun beating down on me at the beach. You see, no matter what, the beach is my happy place. I am an island girl by birth after all…..

And in true introvert form, sometimes I come up with the perfect outing, and when it’s time to head out, I change my mind because home is my happy place. That’s okay too. In all things in life, you do you!

Outdoor activities to make you fall in love with Fall, and say bye to the post-summer slump:

• Take your workout routine outdoors.
• Take a “coffee walk”: grab your favorite warm coffee drink and stroll through a park or your neighborhood.
• Visit a pumpkin patch: have some fun, and don’t forget to bring home some pumpkins!Yippee!!
• Go apple picking: I’ve always wanted to do this, but haven’t yet. It’s number 1 on my to-do list this year.
• Take a drive to see the beautiful Fall foliage: Nature in all its splendor is a sight to behold.
• Take a hike! And I mean that in the nicest way possible! Ha!
• Visit a corn maze: I will only do this one with my husband by my side! There is an extremely high possibility of me never finding my way out!
• Visit a Farmer’s/Harvest market: stock up on produce, jams, and handmade goods. Take full advantage of all the things nature has to offer.
• Stargaze on cool, crisp Fall nights: my newest hobby.

Curate your own seasonal joy kit

Let’s face it, the things that brought me joy in Summer may not have the same impact in Fall. So, in my humble attempt to beat the post-Summer slump, I’m bringing some fresh ideas to the table!

Try a new hobby

Over the past few years, I have become increasingly mesmerized by the nighttime sky. There is no better season than Fall for skygazing at night. For some reason, the cooler air makes the night sky pop! Just the other night, I was out on my deck at 2 am, cuddled up in my warmest blanket, looking for Saturn at opposition. Again, nature in all its splendor!

So that’s my new favorite activity. What could you do as a new hobby? The options are limitless, including scrapbooking, sewing, gardening, cardmaking, pottery, flower pressing, and many more. Take your pick, and enjoy!!

Wardrobe tweaks

I am no fashionista, but I love having practical options on hand. I will say this: Fall presents a fantastic opportunity to add a few new pieces to your wardrobe, so consider splurging a little on yourself as a little pick-me-up. Remember, you are worth it! The general theme for Fall is warm and cozy. For me, clothes have to be comfortable and versatile as well. As I’ve grown older, I’ve embraced online shopping a whole lot more. Do you prefer shopping in-store or online? Amazon and I have become really good friends!

Here are a few of my favorite finds!

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Make a September playlist

At the top of my list is Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day. Just kidding! Great song, but I’m trying to embrace the season, not wish it away!

My taste in music has remained essentially unchanged over the years; I’ll always be an ’80s music girl. However, I have found myself revisiting ’90s music more often and, in general, gaining a better appreciation for songs I harshly dismissed as a teenager because they didn’t rock enough. I guess I could refer to Fall as the season of second chances, for music and so much more!

And this is the beauty of the changing of the seasons. It is an opportunity to embrace something new as we let go of the past. It is a chance to look forward and not backward.

“There is something so special in the early leaves drifting from the trees – as if we are all to be allowed a chance to peel, to refresh, to start again.” – Ruth Ahmed

Find more Fall-inspired quotes here.

Make a Fall reading list

I never get through any reading list I make, but that’s okay. My Summer reading list comprised of many books with a Summer theme. I may not even get through my whole Fall list, but a lot of the fun comes with picking out titles that you would like to snuggle up next to the fireplace with.

Here are a few of my picks so far:

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Start a Fall gratitude journal

Journaling is one of my favorite activities. As a child, it was more about recording the day’s events as they unfolded. Now, as an introverted adult, journaling serves as a creative outlet, fuels my passion for writing, and allows me to focus on more specific aspects of life, such as finding gratitude in the little and big things I experience every day. Some days I write a lot, some days I write very little, but no matter the volume of words I enter on the page, there is ALWAYS an element of gratitude involved.

And in my attempt to beat the post-summer slump, at the top of every page, I express my gratitude for a Summer well spent with the ones I love. No regrets here; just thankfulness for every chance we had to spend together. The good times will roll around again. I just have to practice patience and be grateful that my kids are just a phone call away.

Here are a few lined journal books I have used in the past.

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In conclusion

The post-summer slump is real. But we don’t have to succumb to it! To tell you the truth, we couldn’t ask for a better season to slide into after Summer. Fall presents us with a myriad of ways to beat the post-summer slump; we just have to take initiative and do our part to ensure that we don’t end up feeling down in the dumps.

That being said, there are some of us who have underlying mental disorders that prevent us from finding joy where others can. There is no shame in that. Thankfully, the stigma surrounding these illnesses has significantly lessened over the years, and help is available.

Here are some articles I wrote about this topic:

How To Keep Your Sanity While Raising A Teen With Depression

11 Things Your Depressed Teen Desperately Needs From You Now

How To Help Your Teen Diagnosed With An Anxiety Disorder

Disclaimer: These are our personal experiences with our child, and the articles are not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Other symptoms and signs may occur. Do your research if you need more information, and seek the appropriate care when necessary.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for always coming back. Your attention and your support mean the world to me. Till next time, much peace and love to you all!

Happy Fall!