Hello!
I’m going to be honest with you, I’m pretty bloody excited right now. Why? Because it’s officially autumn!
I’ve been waiting patiently for that familiar chill in the air, for the leaves to start turning beautiful colours, and for the darker evenings to start creeping in.
I know there are a few of you who are with me on this, and a few of you will be mourning the loss of summer. Whatever side you’re on, here are 25 ways to make the most of autumn:
1. Go stationery shopping
To quote Tom Hanks in You’ve Got Mail: ‘Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address’. I love this so much it’s almost sickening. And he had a brilliant point: New York or not, there’s something rather delicious about treating yourself to a nice, new notebook in September, right? And who knows, it might be the notebook that captures a life-changing idea.
2. Listen to an autumn playlist
For the last three years, I’ve been curating this autumn playlist on Spotify. It’s honestly one of my most treasured possessions, and I really only let myself listen to it from 22 September-1 December so I’ll never get bored of it. There are enough songs for several indie movie soundtracks here:
My compilation of plinky piano and acoustic guitar might not be your thing, so why not make your own?
3. Make a change
4. Buy a candle
5. Go pumpkin picking
6. Carve a pumpkin
7. Go to a fancy dress party for Halloween
This year, commit to Halloween. Dress up, eat too many spooky-themed sweets and have a lot of fun!
8. Plan some autumn dinners
9. Get yourself an indulgent hot chocolate
10. Make an autumn film list and watch every last one
They’re mostly old favourites that feature Meg Ryan and ‘fall in New York’, Halloween films, or witchy films (which, in my book, is not the same thing as a Halloween film).
11. Go on a long walk
12. Read a book
13. Get some new pyjamas
14. Hunt out some autumnal bedding
Two words, babes: brushed cotton. If you can find that, you’re in for the softest, cosiest dreams. Even Primark sells it. Grab something nice in burgundy, navy or dark orange. Possibly with some sort of woodland creature motif.
15. Decorate with twinkle lights
To me, nothing says autumn like a string of fairy lights. It makes everything seem much more cosy and magical. I blame Gilmore Girls for this obsession, they do it oh-so-well.
16. Make a note of all the great TV heading your way
Whether you’re all about Strictly Come Dancing and Great British Bake Off or you’re counting down the days until the latest seasons of Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Riverdale or Stranger Things, there’s something to get excited about. Oh, and let’s not forget Philip K Dick’s Electric Dreams, Gunpowder, and Britannia.
Or, y’know, stick on a Sabrina the Teenage Witch boxset. No? Just me?
17. Put on your cosiest socks
18. Bake yourself a treat
19. Play with sparklers on Bonfire Night
In fact, this November, watch a fireworks display, eat a toffee apple. Go nuts!
20. Update your autumn wardrobe
(TOP TIP: just buy new tights. Forget about the bobbly, laddered ones lurking in your drawers)
21. Go to the theatre
The theatre is good at any time of year, of course, but something about sitting in those red velvet seats while it’s chilly and dark outside is extra exciting. I don’t know why, it just is.
22. Set yourself a goal
23. Bust out your big, cosy jumper
Whether it’s a cream cable knit or a colourful fuzzy creation with a cat on the front, grab it. Treasure it.
24. Try a new make up look
That plum/berry colour you haven’t been able to wear for months? It’s time. Wear it, and wear it with confidence! Team with a golden smokey eye for 10/10 autumn goddess vibes.
25. Craft something
More evenings in? More time for crafts! Cross-stitching is my craft of choice and it’s basically therapy. You can’t worry or overthink while you stitch, you’re totally at peace for an hour or so. And you get a nice little gift at the end.
