We live such fast-paced and busy lives that we often ignore seasonal changes. It’s hard to miss the color changes outdoors, but are you actually changing your activities to fit the season? Most of us don’t stop our fast pace until we collapse into bed at night. We ignore our internal clock telling us to slow down.

We’ve forgotten that life lived by the seasons can provide the perfect opportunity to get the balance we need to stay healthy and happy. Living by the seasons this autumn means we slow down, get cozy and anticipate the winter to come.

When you’re a gardener, it’s a little easier to be aware of the seasons. You know that it’s not possible to grow flowers and tomatoes outdoors in January. Daffodils don’t bloom in August and you can’t harvest apricots in November. Gardeners understand the growing seasons. We know the garden needs these seasonal changes in the cycle of life.

It’s not just your garden that can benefit from implementing seasonal changes. Other aspects of your life can benefit from living within the seasons as well. Choose your level of activities, the foods you eat and the decor of your home with the seasons in mind.

Maybe you’re too busy to pay attention to the seasonal changes. Or you resent the changes that autumn brings. It’s hard to let go of the warmth and beauty of summer when autumn rolls around. Instead, embrace the season and learn to adjust your actions and attitudes to fit the season. Just as the garden needs a time to wind down and rest, you can also benefit from this slow down.

I want to share a few ways to make the most of this season… things that can help you both physically and emotionally to live in the moment.

Let’s dig in to a few ways we can live more joyfully during the autumn season.

Living By The Seasons This Autumn

Autumn Gardening

In the early part of the autumn season, there are still so many garden chores to be done. Planting spring-blooming bulbs and hardy annuals, transplanting pot-grown shrubs and harvesting your produce, are typical autumn tasks. Eventually, your garden will slow down and stop growing as the season progresses.

During this time, preserving the abundant harvest is foremost in your mind. September and October need a lot of effort whether you are picking bouquets, pressing flowers, canning tomatoes, drying herbs, or saving seeds.

Once November and December roll around, it’s time to wrap the garden up for the year. Cleaning your garden beds and preparing them for the cold of winter is vital. A few other important tasks include cleaning and storing your tools, raking leaves from your lawn and putting away your garden decor for the year.

Here are a few posts to help you get started cleaning and clearing your garden this autumn…

• Fall is the Perfect Time to Spend in the Garden
• How to Wrap Up the Garden for the Season
• Preparing Your Yard and Garden for Winter
• 5 Ways to Refresh Your Porch
• Now is the Time to Plant Spring Blooming Bulbs

Activities for Autumn

Autumn isn’t just about the getting your garden ready for winter. The weather, while a lot cooler, is still warm enough that you can enjoy outdoor activities. Get in the habit of going for a regular walk in your neighborhood. Watch for wildlife, such as geese and ducks flying south for the winter. Enjoy the coolness that autumn brings after the excessive heat of summer.

Another fun autumn activity is to get your garden and home in tune with the season. Changing out your decorative pillows, adding in warm throw blankets, setting your table with plaids and flannels all add to the cozy feeling many of us long for as the days grow chilly.

Here are a few ideas to stay active and set the stage for autumn in your home…

• Early Season Changes in the Autumn Garden
• 5 Simple Ways to Enjoy the End of the Garden Season
• 4 Ways to Enjoy the Autumn Season
• How to Decorate Your Garden Using What You Already Have
• 5 Pretty Ways to Set Your Holiday Table From the Garden
• Tips for Gathering Natural Materials for Your Autumn Decor

Foods to Enjoy

Consider eating by the seasons. Try to enjoy the foods that are available during this time of year. Some foods have year-round appeal such as a loaf of crusty bread. But the produce you eat will change as we move through each season.

Autumn is the perfect time for something warming. A steaming bowl of soup reminds us that colder days are here. Hearty casseroles and stews can warm you from the inside. Winter squash is abundant and roasting them alongside a chicken or pot roast makes a perfect autumn meal. You can also use pumpkins or winter squash to make a warm breakfast treat.

Here are a few of my favorite autumn recipes to try…

• Chicken and Dumpling Soup
• Turkey Barley Soup
• Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
• The Best Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding
• How to Make Crockpot Apple Butter

Craft Ideas

As the days grow shorter, we’re spending more time indoors. This is the perfect time to work on some of the craft projects you put on hold during the busy gardening months. Sit in front of a cozy fire with a ball of yarn and a crochet hook or knitting needles. Find a craft that you enjoy and take some time to relax. Making something with your hands can be so rewarding.

Autumn provides an opportunity to pull out the sewing machine, craft needles, paper supplies or beading projects. Bring some outdoor materials inside to create a festive wreath. Work on Christmas or hostess gifts for friends and family. Make a new home decor item such as a pillow cover or just pull out the mending that needs to be done.

Here are some craft ideas to get you started…

• How to Make an Easy and Natural Foraged Wreath
• DIY Garden Chalkboard From a Tray
• How to Make Decorative Feather Ornaments
• How to Make a Wild Rosehip Wreath in 3 Easy Steps
• Make a Pumpkin Snowman For Your Porch
• Create a Glittered Jingle Bell Garland

Friends and Family

As we spend more time indoors, don’t forget to keep in touch with your friends and family. Now that you have more free time, write a letter, make a phone call or invite someone over for a visit. As the weather cools and the daylight shortens, many people experience feelings of sadness and loneliness. Reach out and encourage your loved ones who struggle.

Here are a few things that you can do to encourage your loved ones…

• Make a pot of soup to share
• Give a loaf of bread and a jar of homemade jam
• Send a care package to those who live far away
• Share a daily joke or meme to provide a laugh
• Create a few bouquets from store-bought flowers to give away
• Treat your friend to a cup of coffee
• Invite a family member to an autumn picnic
• Send a letter or card every week for a month

Here are some other family friendly activities to consider…

• The Thanksgiving Challenge
• 10 Ways to Be More Encouraging

Plan Ahead

I love planning. Many of us typically look at our goals and plans around the new year. But do you ever go back and assess whether you have actually accomplished those goals? Now is a great time to look back and see what you still might have time to accomplish before the end of the year.

This is also a good opportunity to make your holiday plans. Determine your holiday menus, organize your shopping lists by store, and consider what needs to be done to prepare for company. I take this time to make my lists. Then when we move into the busier holiday season, I just have to pull out my lists to see what cleaning, shopping, and baking needs to be done.

Planning tips for the autumn season…

• 5 Tips For Getting Ready For The Holidays
• 10 Easy DIY Gifts You Need to Make for Your Family and Friends
• Turn Your Garden Shed Into Santa’s Workshop

When we are living by the seasons in autumn, we develop a feeling of comfort. We’re living our lives in the seasons and time that God gave us. Learn ways to enjoy the season you’re in rather than fight against the changes.

Autumn is a time to slow down. To wrap things up for the year and to take time to breathe. Enjoy this season. It only comes around once a year!