Fall Fun List
This post originally appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 9/13/21.
Did you know there’s reasoning that actually backs up the fascination so many people have with the season of fall?
Personally, I’m a summer person. It’s my favorite season. BUT I can’t deny the appeal of hot coffee on cold mornings, pumpkin candles, football on the TV, cozy sweaters and new planners. If you live in a place where the weather turns cooler, it really is a great time of year. And even if you live in a place where the weather doesn’t change (hi, Florida! Aka the place I called home for almost 20 years), it’s still a fun time, mostly because of the focus on food, friends and family ahead of the busy holiday season.
Kathryn Lively, a professor of sociology at Dartmouth College, suggests that a big reason why everyone seems to love fall so much is simply because it’s been culturally ingrained in us for as long as we can remember. As she said in this article, “As children, we come to associate fall with going back to school, new school supplies, seeing friends. It’s exciting, for most. We still respond to this pattern that we experienced for 18 years.”
And Dr. Ben-Shahar Tal, author and lecturer at Harvard University, comments in this article that “as far as we know, there’s nothing inherent in autumn that makes it a happier season. However, when people inject meaning into it, then it can become a happier season.” And so it makes sense that many get excited about a time that is associated with things that elicit warm feelings.
For summer this year, I made a summer fun list and had so much fun with the experience! Time passes one way or another, and for me, keeping a list of fun, seasonal things I want to do helps me to 1) actually remember to do these things and 2) feel like I’m really making the most of the season. I don’t stress about completing everything on the list, but my experience with the season is made richer by even just checking one or two things off.
So, since fall is a time with such strong seasonal associations, I decided to make another fun list. The season always seems to speed by in a flash, so I kept the list pretty short, but I’m excited about it! Sharing below in case you’re interested and if you make your own fall fun list, I’d love to hear what is on yours. 🙂
Fall Fun List:
- Fully enjoy football season. This will be a fun one! I’m going to a Notre Dame football game this weekend, a UF football game the following weekend (first one as an alum), and my first Bears game in October. Excited for all the football watching, but more than that, looking forward to the fun times with friends and family that will ensue because of it.
- Drink pumpkin beer with my parents when they visit Chicago in October. Need to either find a brand to purchase or somewhere that serves some. Chicago peeps, any recommendations?!
- Curate a fall capsule wardrobe. Fall clothes are so fun (the plaid! The sweaters!), but like I mentioned last week, I just feel like I don’t even know where to shop or what to shop for. I want to spend some time thinking about what kinds of outfits I need based on my schedule for the next couple of months, and then when I transition over my closet to cold-weather clothes, I can make a list of things to look for when shopping. Hoping to limit the impulse/stress buys 🙂
- Bake a fall dessert and cook a fall-themed dinner at least once. Open to any recipe suggestions if you have a favorite pumpkin or fall sweet treat! I made this savory dinner a few falls ago and can’t wait to recreate.
- Go on a long, leisurely “leaf-peeping” run. Once the leaves start to change colors and the air is crisp, I want to go on a run where my focus is on taking them all in before they fall off 🙂
- Start Cheese Board Sunday! This idea may sound cheesy, but I’m excited to try it out. Work-wise, fall is definitely going to be busy, and I’m anticipating Sundays will involve mixed emotions as I get excited about the week ahead and feel restless about just how much needs to get done. So in an effort to add a little joy to my Sundays, I’m going to make fun cheese boards for dinner on Sunday. Not only will this eliminate a decision (no need to figure out what’s for dinner on Sundays!), but I’m also looking forward to experimenting with new-to-me cheeses, accoutrements and fall flavors.
Want to receive a note like this to your inbox every Monday at 6 AM EST? Sign up here! If you don’t receive the email, please check your spam or junk folder.
Have feedback, thoughts or a question you want addressed in an upcoming newsletter? Drop an anonymous note to my mailbox here!