Autumn, we’re almost there. Summer is ending (and so is the Summer SAD). My favorite season is coming. Warm drinks, warm blankets, cold air, and rustling leaves. It makes my soul sing but it also makes me turn deep inside of myself. It’s a weird combination of comfort and discomfort. Every single year I start going within, like Persephone’s descent into the Underworld. I feel like it’s time to figure myself out all over again. Re-build myself all over again. I’m like a tree letting its leaves fall. “No, don’t need that one anymore. Let go of that one too.” It’s Autumn Self-Care.

Self-care is essential to me in times like these. Traveling into that darkness requires special TLC.

It’s uncomfortable and challenging and a little bit scary. Who am I going to be when Spring comes? Or tomorrow, even. Personal growth is always happening. These subtle shifts and then these upheavals that shake my foundation. I’m trying to embrace it, move with it, and let it happen. So I ask myself what I need right now to get through it. And then I do that thing. #SelfCare

I invite you all to take my Autumn self-care challenge. Use my template or create your own.

The Autumn Equinox is a great time to start letting go. Prune your friend list on social media and the newsletters you’re subscribed to. Create boundaries with the people in your life. If you don’t know your own boundaries, neither will anyone else. Set boundaries and honor them. Don’t feel like going out? Don’t. Is someone infringing on your comfort zone? Let them know.

Pay attention to self-neglect and those things that you do that don’t honor or respect who you are. Stop missing out on sleep for silly reasons, eat better, take a break, ask for help, you know what you need better than I do!

Let go, let go, let go.

Here are some ways to practice Autumn Self-Care!

Dig your cold weather pajamas out of the closet. Fuzzy pants? Check. Cat slippers? Also, check.

Paint pumpkins with quotes, inspirational sayings, funny faces or go the traditional route and carve them. Tap into your inner-child and get your hands all ooey gooey with pumpkin guts.

Do something to celebrate your body. Your body is amazing and it does so many wonderful things for you. Do something nice for it.

Do a thing you’ve been afraid to do. Facing your fears is never easy, but ’tis the season. Confront those dark scary things.

Embrace the concept of warmth in your life. Warm surroundings, warm friends, shows and music that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. I’m loving Superstore. It’s light-hearted and funny.

Buy or make something to add to your Fall wardrobe. My favorite hoodie ever came from the Greater Good. They do rainbow/hippie so well!

Choose a day to unplug and enjoy the day offline. Go do something out in nature. Play outside and pretend you’re a kid in the 80s.

Wash your bed linens & bring out the warm blankets. Flannel sheets are a must. I love my electric blanket more than anything.

Make soup or a crockpot recipe. Chili is my favorite and so good on a cold day.

Enjoy your morning beverage outside. Who doesn’t love the smell of a pumpkin spice latte in the morning?

Let go of that thing that’s been bothering you. Yeah, that thing. You know the one.

Check in with how you’re feeling.

What do you need? Do that thing. In fact, ask yourself that question every day!

Start a seven-day gratitude practice. Share in your journal or on social media all of the things you’re thankful for.

Give yourself a massage with a good lotion. Practice self-massage. It doesn’t feel as good as someone else doing it but who doesn’t love a nice foot rub?

Pick one bad habit that you want to work on and then take some small steps toward overcoming it.

Light candles or the fireplace and RELAX. Have a nice cup of tea or grab your favorite book.

Strive to create more balance in your life. Learn to manage your time better when it comes to work or start carving out time in your day to practice self-care.

Declutter and get rid of things you no longer need. This is a great time to get rid of any summer clothes you didn’t end up wearing or any winter clothes that no longer fit.

Spend time outside journaling or writing. It’s one of my favorite therapeutic activities and if you’re stumped for what to write about, check out Journey Through Journaling.

Bake goodies and share them with someone you love. Brownies are my forte. Warm, delicious, chocolate. Yum. There’s just something about the smell that fills me with happiness.

Warm blankets, windows open, perfect time for a nap! An electric blanket was seriously in the top 5 favorite things I bought last year. So warm, no more cold feet, win!

Indulge in pumpkin bread, coffee, or muffins.

Go on a nature walk and take photos of the season. Feel free to post them on social media, especially for the people who live in places like Oklahoma *cough*me*cough* where it’s green one day and brown and dreary the next.

Slow down and savor the day. Practice mindfulness, instead of just going through the motions of your day, stop and feel it.

Get spiritual. Meditate, read, spend time in prayer or in nature. Re-start your yoga practice or something that gets you in touch with that lovely soul of yours.

Apple cider, candied apples (my favorite!), apple picking, apple pie! It’s the perfect time for apples!

Write a letter to release emotions. Sometimes just writing down all of those things that you’re keeping inside can be the first step toward beginning to work through them.

Practice hygge the art of coziness. If hygge was a thing it would be hot chocolate and warm blankets. Hygge is all the things that make you feel warm and cozy.

What’s your favorite way to practice Autumn Self-Care?