The fall season is here. With that, we have the influx of pumpkin spice lattes and vibrant colours. This time of the year is to cozy up and have a bit of fun in the last few months of the year remaining. It is also the time to start gearing up for the upcoming year and becoming your best self.
A mistake I have been making in the past has been to take it slow during the fall. But looking back, the fall season can give you a really productive start to kickoff the new year. Instead of worrying about this at the beginning of the next year, doing it this season gives you a good head start to achieve all your goals, while having all the fun.
In a previous article, I have already provided you with 10 items to kickstart the fall season. This article however gives you a much larger bucket list that will help you become your best self. It’s a list which has both fun and productive activities with a focus on starting the next year fresh.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on products we have recommended. For more information look at the disclosure policy
1. Do a wardrobe reset
Fall is the perfect time for a wardrobe reset. The season is new, and while you are putting your summer clothes in the back of the closet, it’s also the perfect time to do a reset of your wardrobe. Sort your fall clothes with what you would wear the most and put aside the clothes that don’t fit or can be donated or sold.
This also includes the accessories you might have bought during the year. Or those untouched pieces in your closet (I know I have many). Make a decision on if you actually need the items or they can be passed down.
I try to create two bins,
- Items to donate
- Items to sell
These are not just the fall items, but also the clothes from all year round. This can be one of the most productive fall activities you take up, especially to create more space in the closet.
2. Spring cleaning? More like fall cleaning
A reset doesn’t necessarily have to be of your fall closet, it can also be a reset to items around your house. Have a fall cleaning session. Look around the house and see what can be sold, what can be thrown out and what can be donated.
While doing my spring cleaning, I realised I still had my curler and hair straightener lying around which I had used just once or twice and hadn’t touched for the last 6 months. I also bought a Dyson air wrap (which has been great BTW) so I don’t really end up using these items anymore. They are now on my Facebook marketplace. This not only gave me some space in my dresser but also helped offset some amount from the Dyson purchase.
Look around your kitchen, and reset the spice cabinet, dish cabinet and all those extra utensils you never use. Clean your dishwasher. Doing a reset over a span of a few weeks just before kickstarting the new year is the right way to stick to your goals.
3. Get hold of some fall candles
Who doesn’t like some fragrance around the house? And what better to make you feel like fall than fall-scented candles? Having a change in ambience can have a good impact on your mood as well as the transition to winter.
If you don’t like lighting candles you can also get a candle lamp heater this gives you the fragrance without lighting the candle.
4. Simmer spices in your house smell like fall
Another great way of getting the fall fragrance to change the ambience is to simmer some spices in a pot on the stove. This is especially great of you don’t like candles. You still would have the benefits of lifting your mood.
Here is what you would need:
- A pan with water
- Essential oils if you want
- Orange slices cut
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
-
Rosemary
5. Connect with Family
Now that the holiday season is around the corner, make a conscious effort to connect with your cousins, relatives and all those you hold near and dear. Many times, with the hustle of daily life, connecting with family gets thrown into the back.
Fall is the perfect time to call your loved ones, and organize to meet them over Thanksgiving, or Diwali or any festival that you celebrate.
This is also a good time to consciously make more effort to keep it going. As time passes by, it can hit you that you might not have spent as much time with your family or loved one as you should have. Being self-conscious and attempting to keep a connection can go a long way in achieving happiness and a sense of community.
So this is your sign, pick up the phone and call your loved one. Maybe grandparent, parents, siblings, cousins, relatives or friends. Anyone you consider to be family 🙂
6. Organize the last 3 months of the year
If you’ve had a productive year so far, great! If you’ve not had the greatest year no worries. Regardless of how your time management and organization have been throughout the year, this is your chance to start planning ahead.
Start a session of self reflection
You need to make a list with three sections:
– Items you did well and keep
– What you can do better and change
– What you would like to add
A self-reflection can be a very powerful tool to make the best of your time and energy and utilize it to the fullest. Doing a self-reflection so early on can help you identify items that you would like to do before the year is off.
There are various tools you can use in the process. The best and a free way is to create a list on the notes tab of your phone or laptop or even a Word doc and keep at it. Another great place where I have been creating my vision boards and mood boards has been Canva.
But if you prefer handwritten space instead of digital, Erin Conrad makes some great planners to fit everyone’s needs. Surely check them out!
7. Start goal setting for the new year
Now that you have already listed the items you would like to improve in the previous step, it is also the perfect time to start setting goals for the new year. With the few months remaining, you can get your priorities straight and come up with a game plan for the next year.
Goal setting involves listing down major and minor goals that you would like to strive towards throughout the year. It should typically be a list of 2-3 major goals and some sub-goals for those. This will make sure you remain on track and this would also be a very useful activity to keep you focused this fall.
You can follow my method of setting a up a 6 month goal from a previous blog post.
8. Plan if you want a paper planner or online planner
Now the main question arises, do you need a paper planner or an online planner? I thought I was always a paper planner kind of gal until I started using online planners. To each their own right.
Here are my top three from each category:
Paper Planner
9. Start setting your vision board
Now that you are done planning and organizing for the upcoming year. You also have introspected on the current year, it’s time to put it all together.
Vision boards are great tools to help you put everything into perspective. You should place them at your study/work table or someplace you look at them every day. This helps keep things in focus and keep on your goals.
I do feel that they dissolve into the background a few months after you see them every day. Even then they can be powerful tools to help you visualize your goals.
You can use Canva to create your vision board. Here are some steps you can follow:
- Jot down the 10 main items from your list of goals and sub-goals
- Find images you may find inspiring related to those goals
- Place them around on a pallet on Canva
10. Try new 'fall' recipes
How can fall be complete without fall recipes? And there is something new to try each year.
This is my bucket list of recipes to try this year:
- Pumpkin Pie
- Kaddu ka Khatta (One of my favourites)
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Butternut Squash Soup
11. Change your fall aesthetics
Get the fall aesthetics right to your home. Along with improving the ambience of the house with candles and smells, a great way to get the fall aesthetics is to get out some fall decor. This does not need to be a whole change of furniture or an expensive endeavour. It can be as simple as going to the dollar store and getting items for some DIYs.
Here are some ideas:
Orange garlands: A cheap and great DIY, get some oranges and cut them into slices, put them in the oven and heat to dehydrate. Put them on a string and you can get your very own garlands. This is a great recipe to follow for the garlands.
Get mini pumpkins and put them around the house
Get the blankets out and cozy up the house
Add some warm string lights around the house. I particularly love these curtain lights. They look beautiful. I have been using them since last year and they have lasted great!
Get some acorns and put them around the house
12. Map out what you could have improved this year
This is a part of self-reflection but comes to be its own bucket list item. That is because it requires a bit of an in-depth introspection. It would need to be in your work, life, social outings, side hustles and everyday activities.
Start by listing down the main activity and the area of life it’s located in and create a mind map around it. Mind mapping can be a powerful tool to help you put down all your thoughts onto paper and come up with straight strategies.
13. Set your budgets straight
This is a part of self-reflection but comes to be its own bucket list item. That is because it requires a bit of an in-depth introspection. It would need to be in your work, life, social outings, side hustles and everyday activities.
This year, I have been using Intuit Mint to track my expenses. It has enabled me to track my expenses and also see the trends in my savings in terms of essentials and pleasure.
- The first step would be to check where you have spent most this year and then inspect if any of it could have been avoided and how. Next, look at all your top spending and repeat this step.
- The next step is to create a list of pleasures and essentials. I would suggest using Intuit Mint. If you are not comfortable with linking your accounts you can also use Excel. What thing I like about Mint, is that it is free and allows you to set up times of reoccurring payments with money put aside for each month. Eg, if you have a Netflix payment every October, it will set aside total/12 amount in your budget.
- Once you have a list of pleasures and essentials, set up a budget. You can follow the 50/30/20 rule. 50% of your income on what you need (Food, rent, water, electricity, transport, wifi, phone etc). 30% on what you would like (new clothes, gifts, decor, non-essentials) and the rest of 20% on savings and debt payment. Even if you have debt, I would suggest saving at least a portion of it.
14. Think of an investment plan
It is never too late to invest. I started in 2020 and have learned a lot since then. It being fall and having done your budget for this year and the following year, you probably have a number for the amount you hope to save.
With inflation and all that comes with it, even if you save the money, without having a plan to invest the money sitting in your bank account would compound over to losing money over the years.
Let’s see what I mean, say you save 300 dollars every month in the coming 5 years (I know it’s low, but it’s an assumption). Assuming that it’s in your savings account with an interest rate of 2% (it’s pretty high!). Let’s take the average inflation for the last 5 years as an average of 2.5%. With compounding you would still lose 577$.
Now, that we have established that you need to invest, there are multiple ways for you to invest. It would depend on your personal choice. For the scope of this article, I won’t go over it here. If you are still interested I have put a list of my favourite books and podcasts below:
15. Start getting ready for winter
Fall is a great season to start planning ahead, especially winter which is RIGHT around the corner. Winter requires good amount of preperation in terms of stacking up your clothes, and winter boots and also a way to keep away the winter blues.
Here is a list of items that you should do:
Check-in your winter coat and see if you may need a new one
Do you need a new pair of winter boots? This might be the perfect time for it, where it’s still relatively warm outside.
Winter is a great time to be indoors. Prep up on a workout plan and stick to it. If you prefer a home workout, get the necessary equipment early on. Here is a link to items I use for my home workouts:
Get your winter tyres put in
Stock up on winter salt
16. Start building a holiday list
One thing that comes with fall, is holidays. That includes different activities and prepping gift lists. Here are some ideas for your gift lists (I have tried to keep them frugal but thoughtful)
Glasses with straw
Fabric shaver
Bag hanger
Instax mini
Erin Condren LifePlanner™
17. Plan ahead for internships / new opportunities
Fall is the time when you should start planning for internships. Whether they are cooperating internships or research, the applications usually close by end of December and mid-January. Especially for research internships, you need to have your applications in by December for a summer internship.
I have a step-by-step process for you to apply for internships. I share resume and cover letter templates with you along with a full guide.
18. Update your resume and cover letter
Fall is also a great time to update your resume. As the year comes towards the end, it’s the time to relook at the year which also includes looking forward to better opportunities. Even if you are happy in your current position, you should always have your resume intact.
If you are a college student, grad or undergrad, then it definitely is one of the best times to look back and make changes to your resume. Whether it be for an internship or a job, this is the perfect time to start jotting down ideas. You can go over my article on writing a CV and cover letter for internships which also applies to job applications.
19. Get in your letters of recommendation before prof's go on vacations
Whether you are applying for internships or jobs you will need letters of recommendation. This is the time to ask for them, especially if you need them from university professors.
As holidays are coming along, professors will start getting busy and may be late in responding. Letting them know early on that you need the letters is a way to go.
20. Improve your network
Networking is one of the most important skills that you can develop, especially as a student or a young professional. It can help you get into your dream positions, get a mentor, guides and coaches, and even help you connect to people who may prove to be helpful in your career path.
As the holidays are coming up, whether you are in school or out of it (we all have fall and winter breaks) and you have more time on your hands you should start preparing a list. LinkedIn is my go-to platform for connecting to people and getting to know a bit about them.
Once you have a list of people whose profile you find interesting it’s time to start drafting messages. Make sure you keep the message to the point and let them know why you are connecting with them.
It can be a simple, ‘I find your profile interesting and I am hoping to learn from you about xyz’. Make sure your messages are intentional, curious and engaging.
21. Do some fall shopping
Fall is the perfect season to start creating the fall shopping list. You have some great Prime Day sales coming up as well as Black Friday and Boxing Day are nearby. Even the mall and local shops have good sales happening around to start the holiday season.
I usually take this time to stack up on electronics, skin care items, a few books, and any other items that I would like at a discount.
Here are some items on my fall shopping list:
22. Set your skincare routine
Now that you have some extra time in your hands with the upcoming holiday’s it’s the perfect time to revisit your skincare routine and revamp it.
Especially with the cold weather starting, you may want to add additional items to your skincare routine to combat the upcoming dry weather.
But why is a skincare routine necessary you ask? It can provide you with long-term skin health benefits. Along with the prevention of signs of ageing.
A basic skincare routine includes the following:
- Serum (eg. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide)
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
23. Get in your autumn colour pallet
My favourite thing about fall or autumn is the beautiful colour pallet. The pretty reds, orange and yellow look great in outfits and decor.
My favourite free activity of fall is to drive around near fall colours and take pictures. They make for great IG posts as well as to get away from the blues of the weather changing.
24. Make an appointment to get your tires changed
The time of year is back again. If you live in a cold place like I do, having winter tyres can really save you during the winter months. The tires sometimes take a long time after appointment to be received, so this needs to be planned in advance.
25. Start searching for tickets to travel home
If you live far from your home and are thinking of visiting in the winter months, you need to start booking them. As the holidays come nearer and nearer ticket prices are going to soar.
Here are my favourite booking sites:
- Google flights
- Hopper
- Sky scanner
- Flight hub
26. Come up with a hobby for the darker days
The next thing that comes after fall is daylight savings. At least for the Western world. With that comes darker days and longer nights. If you don’t pre-plan some activities, the time can get difficult to pass by.
Think of a few hobbies you would like to take up during the time. It can be anything indoors to outdoors. You can take up knitting or swimming (indoors of course). Or can also take up some of the winter activities like snowshoeing, skiing, and ice skating.
27. Get ready for Halloween
It’s just the perfect time to start preparing your outfits for halloween. The Amazon costumes won’t be as expensive, and as the sales are on you can get great deals.
Moreover, now that you have spent your time on going through your closet, I am sure you’ve found some old costumes as well. Time to use it or sell them. If you put them up now, they can easily get sold.
It’s also time to stock up on candy for Halloween. Otherwise, during the last week, candy gets SUPER expensive!
28. Cozy up your space
Nothing makes one feel warmer than some cozy blankets around and some ambient light. It’s during this time that I start getting all my blankets and start setting my string lights.
I also stock up on hot chocolate when I can still go out shopping. Having some candles around the house helps too.
29. Set up your bank accounts and credit cards
Nearing the end of the year is a great time to set up your bank accounts and apply for credit cards. Some banks have great New Year deals starting on credit cards that can really help you add up those points.
This can be great to plan trips before the new year and understand any of the credit debt that you may have to pay off.
30. Plan trips while it's still sweater season
This is the last time around this year when you can plan out a trip to cottages with friends and family. Better yet, you can get some crazy cheap deals for great places for the winter months.
Last year, during this time of the year I got a great deal on a Scandinavian spa for two which was valid for the whole year! This is also a great time to start planning trips for the harsh winters when you can be at a warmer place.
31. Go apple picking
Apple picking is a great activity to do with friends and family. During the time of fall, apples are ripe for the picking. Make sure you go for the ripe and semi-ripe ones to keep them longer.
Also, make sure to keep enough space for storing them long term. In fact, choose recipes that can last you all season. Here are some great items to cook with your apples:
- Apple sauce
- Apple jam
- Apple pie
- Apple crisps
- Seb ka meetha
32. Go pumpkin picking
Another fun fall activity is to go for pumpkin picking, or just to take pictures with pumpkins. This is always a fun activity to do with a group.
I usually go there for the pictures but getting your own pumpkin to carve this Halloween is always great! Pumpkins also make great vegetables to make pies, desserts, cute centrepieces and place settings.
33. Get those fall nails
I love love love fall for its vibrant colours and the pretty nail art that you can make for it. There are so many choices to choose from, and they go perfectly with short and long nails.
Even if you are not a fan of colours, there is always a mani padi. There is no time like fall to pamper yourself.
I usually prefer to do my nails at home. It’s cheap, and efficient and you get to change them whenever you want. Here is what I use for my at home nails kit:
34. Get creative with crafts
Fall is a great time to get your creative fruits start flowing. With the different holiday’s coming up, it’s the perfect time to start making gifts for loved ones and decor for your home.
Hand made gifts are inexpensive and your friends and family will appreciate the effort. It is also a good opportunity to brush up on your skills or learn a new hobby.
Here are a few ideas for at-home gifts:
- Homemade soap
- Holiday jars including homemade recipes for hot chocolate
- Homemade candles
- Bookmarks (I have a whole guide on that)
- Knitwear
- Homemade decor items like garlands or cards
- Care Jars
35. See the fall colours change
Well, the best part about fall is the fall colours. Yes, the pretty leaves changing to yellow, orange and red will bring a hue to all your pictures. There is definitely a chill in the air, but these pretty colours do bring brightness.
One of the best and most free activities to do is go on a fall hike or drive and see all the pretty trees with all these bright colours. It is the right transition into the weather.
36. Purge your phone
As the year is coming to an end, our electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops get crowded with information. And although we should be cleaning up our devices often, lack of time may come in the way. So this is your chance.
Use this opportunity to purge your phone of unwanted photos (all the repetitions), videos and documents. Back up your phone and laptop so you don’t miss any information. Just as you organize your home, make an effort to organize your electronics as well.
Steps to take to purge your phone:
- Start with the photos, take out all the unwanted repeated pictures and all the unnecessary screenshots you took
- Next, move on to videos. If you want to keep them all, make sure to backup your phone to the cloud or external drive to not lose any item.
- Remove all unwanted and unused apps
- Go to your documents and check the ones you need and don’t. It is like cleaning a drawer you have not touched for ages.
Also, make sure to plan this in your calendar over a few days. It’s not a task to be finished in one day. This will ensure that you don’t get burnt out and leave things mid-way.
37. Watch a fall movie (or a few)
The spooky season is almost upon us, and that includes all the amazing movies! So here is the cue to get your favourite popcorn and those warm blankets and have a movie marathon.
Better yet, invite a few friends over and watch some movies with them. Why not add this to your potluck night?
38. Volunteer
Volunteering for public service can help boost your confidence and self-esteem while giving back to the community. There are a myriad of activities to choose from. You can volunteer at your nearest soup kitchen, or at an elderly place. You can also mentor students or help a daycare.
So before you cocoon for the winter season, take some time to volunteer.
39. Get a new wallpaper for your laptop
This is a small but quick way to change your mood. Get a new wallpaper for your laptop which matches the fall aesthetics. You can also use your vision board as your wall paper, something you will look at everyday!
40. Set your phone fall aesthetics
Set new focus boards across your device with different wall papers. Setting up focus for different events can help you transition from activities in a day within a week. Especially with the weather and daylight changing, resetting the focus can help you shift from one activity to the other.
For instance, I have a separate focus for work, workout, general and sleep cycle. Within the focus, I have set up the times for the different events, do not disturb on the phone along with who are allowed to contact me. And different wallpapers for each focus.
This helps me shift easily from different activities without having to constantly look at my calendar. You can use Canva to create your wallpaper of choice and use Pexels for the free images.
41. Host a potluck
As the holiday season is coming along, it is the perfect time to host a potluck. Potlucks allow you you enjoy food prepared by different people while not befalling all preparation on you as the host.
It also ensures that food doesn’t go to waste. The trick is to prepare enough for half the people attending and no one goes hungry.
42. Create a bucket list for fall (or use the one here!)
You can use the bucket list given here or add your own items to this list. The downloadable can be found on the resources page.
43. Create a workout plan for the upcoming winter months
Now that the days will get shorter and ‘nighttime’ longer it’s time to start planning your workouts. If you are a morning person getting up early for workouts may be more difficult when it’s still dark outside. If you are an evening person the day will be darker when you go in.
Either way, as the body clock shifts, it’s time to have a new workout time scheduled.
If you have not been working out, what better time to start? You will have more time indoors and you can start your journey towards fitness. Studies have shown that even a 25 mins a day brisk walk can add 7 years to your life [1].
Make sure to add both strength training and cardio to your routine. Women who do strength training have a lower chance of developing osteoporosis as they age [2].
Adding a ~40 minutes of strength training and 20 minutes of cardio to the mix can be an ideal workout regime. It also does not have to be every day, 3-4 days a week can be sufficient to maintain health.
44. Have a pumpkin spice latte
What better time than the fall to have a pumpkin spice latte. And you don’t even have to go far to get one. You can make it at home, get it at your closest cafe or get a pre-made mix off of amazon.
But what is ‘pumpkin spice’? It is simply a mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. I also like to add cardamom. Yes, it does not have ‘pumpkin’ in it. It’s just inspired by the fall season.
So as the leaves start to fall, and the weather gets colder the warmth of a pumpkin spice latte is what you will need!
45. Plan a fall date
What is a more fun fall activity than a fall-inspired date? That can include cozying up at your favourite coffee shop or watching a fall-inspired movie under a blanket.
Or how about a fall-themed picnic? Although it’s chilly outside, what better way to cozy up than hot apple cider in your palms and some cinnamon-spiced desserts in your picnic basket?
46. Set up a budget for black Friday
Black Friday is almost here. That may include unnecessary purchases especially if you don’t already know what you need and have a budget for it. It is also a good time to stock up on birthday or special occasion gifts for the upcoming year. And that requires planning.
Setting up a budget and making a list can help you combat all these issues.
Here is what you need to do:
- Start by creating a list of items that you may need as urgent and would like.
- Now set up a maximum amount you are willing to spend on the item.
- Once you have that, scout for the deals in different stores such that you get the best price.
47. Enroll in some online courses
If you’ve had some skills you would like to brush up on in your pocket for some time, here is your chance. There are numerous courses available online, many of them free for you to choose from.
Now that the new year is upon us, select a course which will help you improve your skills. Whether it’s to further your career or to help you start something new, here is your sign.
I have a comprehensive list of sites that can help you accomplish that. Most of them are free and give you numerous courses.
48. Set a new year reading list
Whether you are a book reader or an audiobook listener, reading books has been shown to strengthen brain activity. It can help improve focus while you learn new things.
Make it a part of your goals to add reading to the list. Here is a list of my top 5 books from my to-read list:
49. Check areas of most spending
When making your budget, you need to spend some time listing out your areas of most spending. This will help propel your budget keeping for next year.
If you use an app like Intuit Mint, you can track the trends automatically for the year. If not, use your credit card bills and filter using your areas of spending. It can be Uber rides, groceries, transport, gas, shopping etc.
Once you have the list adjust your budget for the next year accordingly. However, having such a list can be extremely beneficial. Make sure you keep tracking the spending for the upcoming months to ensure you stay within your budget.
50. Find your routines
Routines are extremely important. They help you optimize your time in the day and spend less thinking about what needs to be done. Forming habits through routines can help improve your quality of life and keep you focused on your goals.
I personally like to keep and resent my morning, workout and night routine every few months. Especially for fall when the times of the day change.
Here are the best practices for maintaining your routines:
- Give yourself enough time to finish each routine.
- Make sure your routines are helpful and not a burden. What I mean is routines should flow smoothly and not have too many intricate steps that you don’t keep up.
- Include downtime in your night routine. That helps ensure a good night’s sleep.
- Build it up over time. It’s all about trial and error.
51. Set up some side hustles
If you are looking for a new activity this fall, look at setting up a side hustle. Side hustles can keep you busy and also let you work towards your passions. They can help you earn a little extra on the side and provide you with financial stability.
Here are some ideas:
- Start a blog
- Make an at-home bakery
- Sell handmade items
- Create an app
- Start a YouTube channel
How to start a blog
Blogging can be a great place to start. You get to voice your opinions and put your words out there. More importantly, you get to help people with your experiences and thoughts. And it’s very easy to start.
- Come up with a name for your blog
- Decide on what your niche should be (like mine is grad school and college help)
- Decide on a hosting site. I use A2hosting and honestly, I have been using it for the last 5 years. It’s reliable, fast and cheap. The support is EXCELLENT. They are available 24/7 and help you with all your website technical issues. Downtime is close to none. I highly recommend them. You can get started with them now!
These are some great ideas for you to have the most productive and fun fall this year while you plan ahead for one of your best years. Keeping to the fall bucket list will help you achieve your goals for the upcoming year and keep this fall fun.
If you are looking at something to kickstart your fall instead before you move on to the bigger items, I suggest you take a look at the article.
You can also find this entire item as a comprehensive list on the resources page when you subscribe to the news articles where you have a fun template to extend the list yourself and many more items.
Have a lovely day!