Savoring The Season: Tips For The Busy Bee
Now that life is returning to some version of "normal", with regularly scheduled fall programs and activities, I'm finding myself in a whirlwind of events, meetings, activities, and you know, trying to schedule some apple picking at the same time.
Here's the deal. I LOVE fall. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
If you hang out on my blog for more than five minutes, you're guaranteed to come across some variety of that sentiment. I'm an October baby, and as such, I'm obsessed with all things pumpkin, apple and burnt orange.
That being said, it's hard being a busy bee and also trying to enjoy the little things. Heck, some of you are in school and working at the same time, some of you are parents of littles, and some of you have so many responsibilities, it's hard to keep track of them all. We are BUSY.
It's such a short season, especially in Delaware, where fall lasts a total of 3 weeks, if we're lucky. It's short, and we're so busy during this time that it quite literally flies by.
Let's also acknowledge the fact that we don't actually know when those 3 weeks are, and that they are not consecutive. We have that super fun "Indian Summer" that is blazing hot and smack dab in the middle of October. It was last week, if anyone was wondering. Side rant, over. Carry on.
I'll speak for myself and tell you that I tend to try to squeeze a bunch of fall activities into that short, 3 week period (which is not actually 3 straight weeks and that is an issue that I have had with nature for a long time, don't mind me). Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't.
This fall, I've been working on enjoying the season, whenever and wherever I can. The weather isn't always going to be a crisp 65, and sometimes, it's going to rain on my parade. That doesn't mean that I don't get to enjoy my fall. Sometimes, I'm straight up just not going to have time to do all of my favorite fall activities. That’s life, and it's A-okay.
I did make a Fall Bucket List this year (as I do most years), and this year’s list is a little more low-key than in the past. I know that I’m busy, and I wanted to be realistic. I also wanted to be intentional about this season and make a point to enjoy the things that bring the most joy. If I don’t get to all of it, that’s okay. The whole point is to be intentional about my time and to do the things that mean the most.
It's taken a minute for me to actually be okay with not being able to do the most all the time, and to accept that doing something is better than doing nothing. This applies to not only enjoying a season, but also with fitness, mental health, eating well, productivity - it kind of applies to everything.
For example, sometimes I don't have it in me to do a tough workout. I usually try to lift or run - something that challenges me - but sometimes I haven't had a good nights sleep or I'm stressed or my body just doesn't have the energy. Those days, I'll go for a walk or do 20 minutes of yoga.
I still move my body, but in a way that serves me and doesn't drain me.
I have forced myself to do a hard workout when I'm not feeling great, and it doesn't end well. I would much rather accept that I'm not 100%, than push myself and not feel well for the rest of the day.
It's hard to keep up with our regularly scheduled programming, and also do the seasonal activities. Let's be honest, it's only October. There will be fall and holiday activities for the next two months. There's no point in burning out this early.
We are like candles. If we burn 24/7, it takes no time at all to burn out. If we burn for short amounts of time, and truly enjoy the aroma each time, we last much longer.
If you don't have the time or energy to go to the pumpkin patch, it's okay to stay home and light a fall candle.
It's okay to skip a workout to take a walk on a cool night.
It doesn't have to be the most to be enough.
Here are a few ways to low-key enjoy fall, for whatever reason. Even if it's a small thing, it still counts.
If you don't want to ruin your meal prep, but you want a pumpkin spice latte, it's okay to get pumpkin flavored coffee.
Bake some treats - it can be as simple as the Pillsbury sugar cookies with pumpkins on them. They still come out of the oven and are delicious.
On your lunch break, go out and grab a fun coffee (or drink of your choice). Eat outside and enjoy the crisp air.
If your bonfire gets rained out, it's okay to head inside to watch a spooky movie instead. Grab a blanket and snuggle up.
Pick up some apple cider at the grocery store and warm it up with a cinnamon stick. It’s a warm and cozy drink for a chilly or rainy night.
Add a fun soup to your meal plans. I love soup. You can find some of my favorites here!
Pick up a pumpkin (or five) at the grocery store. You don’t even have to carve them, if you don’t want to! They’re cute just as they are.
Change your phone wallpaper to something seasonal. It’s simple, but makes me happy.
Enjoy a quiet evening with a good book and a candle - this one is my favorite! I like to play my hygge playlist for maximum vibes✨
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7