“Autumn is a season to reflect on the life we’ve always dreamed of. Do we have to have the perfect life or dream home to be content right now? Of course not…All we need is right in front of us. Contentment comes when we embrace the life we can create right now in an authentic, warm, meaningful-from-the-inside-out kind of home.”
excerpted from my New York Times bestselling book
Love the Home You Have
II’m a homebody, and fall has always been the season that feeds that part of me. For me, autumn is less about acquiring decor and more about creating a home that reflects the life we live there. It’s about slowing down, noticing what matters, and making space for comfort and connection.
When we slow down, we can savor our surroundings and take better care of ourselves and the people who share our home. Below are three cozy fall activities that help you do just that—simple traditions and habits that invite warmth, creativity, and mindful self-care into daily life.
1. Embrace quiet, creative moments.
Slowing down can feel difficult when life is busy. But quiet creative activities—like coloring, journaling, or simple crafts—give the mind something gentle to hold on to and help ease fast-moving thoughts. If stillness feels impossible, start with a small, focused task: filling in a coloring page, writing a single paragraph, or arranging a tiny vignette on a shelf. Those small acts create a sense of calm and presence.
Coloring can be especially soothing and accessible. It doesn’t require artistic expertise—only time and attention. You can color alone while listening to a favorite podcast or watching a show, or invite family members or introverted friends to a relaxed coloring night. Keeping colored pencils and a few pages on hand makes it easy to choose creativity instead of exhaustion.
Quiet creative time can also spark ideas for refreshing your home. Simple, mindful activities like this remind you that making room for creativity is as much about the experience as it is about the finished page.
2. Create simple fall family night traditions.
One of the greatest comforts of home is a cozy space to gather. I’ve long aimed not just to design inviting rooms, but to actually use them. That means intentionally setting aside time to connect—turning atmosphere into shared experience.
For our family, fall and winter often mean bringing a favorite game to the dinner table. We’ve played a wood board game with marbles for decades, and leaving the game out becomes a gentle reminder to pause and play. Keep a lidded basket or a designated shelf for games so they’re easy to reach. Little rituals like these transform ordinary evenings into meaningful family time.
Think about what you’d like on your fall family night list: play a game, read together by the fire, host a simple costume night, or make seasonal treats. Write the list and do one thing each week. Making room in your schedule for intentional togetherness is one of the kindest gifts you can give your home and those in it.
Lidded basket for easy game storage
3. Savor a season of self-care.
Self-care can sometimes feel like another item on a long to-do list, but autumn is a perfect time to make thoughtful changes that support your health and comfort. Recent personal health changes taught me how disruptive transitions can be, but also how important it is to treat ourselves kindly through them.
Use fall as an opportunity to review habits and routines: Which adjustments will help you feel better? What mindset shifts could make daily life gentler? Which recipes and meals bring warmth and nourishment? How can you maintain or increase movement during cooler months? Small, sustainable changes—an evening walk, a new seasonal recipe, tidying a favorite corner—add up to greater well-being.
Consider practical home adjustments that improve comfort: better lighting for evening reading, a cozy throw in your favorite chair, or a clutter-free zone for relaxation. These subtle shifts make spending time at home feel restorative rather than draining.
Fall remains my favorite season because it invites us to slow down and tend to what matters most: home, health, and relationships. By embracing quiet creativity, building simple family rituals, and honoring self-care, you can make this season feel warm, intentional, and deeply comforting.
How could you slow down this fall to take better care of your home, yourself, and your family?
CATCH UP ON THE FALL NESTING SERIES:
A Round up of Fall Doormats
Day One: An Autumn Mindset
Day Two: 20 Little Things
Day Three: Cozying Up the House with Shutters
Day Four: How to Decorate Your Coffee Table in Any Season
Day Five: Fall House Tour
Day Six: Embrace Your Style (and adapt as needed)
Day Seven: Your Fall Morning Routine
Day Eight: Fall Puttering
Day Nine: Simple Ways to Create a Welcoming Fall Porch
Day Ten: Make Your Bedroom a Cozy Retreat
Day Eleven: Fall Home Refresh – 5 Ways to Bring Your Home to Life
Day Twelve: 14 Simple Fall Decorating Ideas
Day Thirteen: TODAY!