Savoring the Season: Tips to Live Intentionally this Fall and Beyond

The last 4 months of the year can be a whirlwind of activities but don’t forget to savor the season and enjoy time focusing on what truly matters with these simple tips to not only get the most out of the fall and holiday season but also to create memories your family will cherish for years to come!

Currently, the temperatures are still warm, almost summer-like but I know the welcome relief of fall is on its way.

For me, September feels like we are entering into the fall season, which opens the doors for apple picking, pumpkin carving, leaf stomping, sweater wearing, warm latte drinking and so many other magnificent traditions that happen in the fall.

 

Fall has always been, and will probably continue to be, my favorite time of year. I’m waiting patiently for the temperatures to slowly descend into the comfortably cooler 60s and 70s but for now, I shall have to wait.

I know many of you feel the same way.

One look around Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram reveals just how many people love fall.

Fall love is everywhere!

And while many are still in the busy back-to-school mode, there is a change in the air that is coming soon.

The best thing about the start of September is the introduction into the last four months of the year, which all happen to end with the letters –ber.

September brings about football, a new school year and apple treats.

October brings pumpkin bread, the changing of the leaves, the crisp smell in the air, trunk-or-treats, and lots of candy for all!

November brings a season of reflection and gratitude, the full harvest and a favorite feast of turkey and stuffing.

December brings the anticipation and hope in our Savior’s birth as we celebrate the Advent season with festive lights, evergreens, presents and celebrating with friends and family.

These four months bring a lot of fun activities for families, a lot of special memories and a lot of joy. Just as in any time of year, the key to fully enjoying it is to savor the season.

By savoring the season, I mean taking the time to live intentionally as you enjoy all the festive offerings with your family. It’s one thing to plan meaningful events and excursions and it’s another thing to be frantically moving from activity to activity to “get it all in”.

Savoring the Season: Tips to Live Intentionally this Fall & Beyond

Have a Brain Dump

Take a minute and create a list, more of a brain dump if you will, of all the activities, experiences, traditions, recipes to make, craft projects to complete and anything that comes to mind of something you want to do over the remaining months of the year.

Include all of fall and winter holidays coming up through the end of the year such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, as well as any other special days or Holidays your family observes.

List it all out from the practical to the dreams.

This is the place to get all those thoughts and plans out of your brain on onto paper. It doesn’t matter if they seem extravagant or unrealistic, if they are taking up room in your mind, it’s best to get them down on paper.

Focus On What Truly Matter

Once you have your crazy list of ideas and plans, it’s time to step back, take a few moments and think about what truly matters.

Is the number one priority for you is to spend quality time with family? Do any of these activities bring you joy or are they more of an obligation? Does your family even like participating in ________? (fill in the blank with the activity)

There are lots of questions to think through as you look over your list but the main thing to keep in check is how you and your family will spend time together.

Have a Family Meeting

As a mom to young children it’s natural for me to go ahead and plan out our activities but once my children get older they are bound to have some strong opinions.

My husband already does… he is not a fan of the pumpkin patch, (I know! That’s crazy talk in my world.) something about all the hay affecting his allergies 😉

Create a bucket list together as a family making sure the wishes and ideas of all family members are present. Along with creating a fun list, it’s also a good idea to make expectations clear, discuss what’s important to each member and how you can all work together to accomplish at least one favorite activity or event of each family member. 

Once you have your events planned, put them on the calendar now. We all have good intentions but unless it’s planned and written down, there is always a good chance it won’t happen. Trust me on this one! 🙂

Let Go of Expectations

Things don’t always go according to our perfect plans, I know this because I have three small children who have different agendas and don’t like to fully cooperate at times.

You know what ruins a fun event before it even starts? Great expectations that are often unrealistic.

Happy, well-mannered kids can turn into wild, fussy children in an instant. It’s easy to think your kids would never act that way but pride always comes before the fall.

Case in point earlier this summer I took my three to a children’s museum and all was going well until it wasn’t! I became that mom who has to remove a child from the facility kicking and screaming.

I’m sure we can all add our own versions of the time a misbehaving child did something to cause a fun event to be ruined, and it’s not even always on young children either.

Pour attitudes, unclear communication, or upset feelings can happen to any one of us. 

There are so many other things that can ruin a perfectly good day including unexpected delays, weather (I was heartbroken last year when it poured all day when we were supposed to go to the pumpkin patch), or events that are beyond our control.

Embrace Meaningful Traditions at Home

Getting out and about to visit fun places and events is fun but don’t forget to be intentional at home too.

While there are many activities and events that only happen during this season, plan downtime where you can be at home together.

Baking, reading books, carving a pumpkin, raking leaves together (make it fun to feel less like a chore), making decorations, playing outside together, watching a movie with the fireplace lit and some warm lattes in hand… this season is full of wonderful opportunities to create meaningful traditions at home together with the people you love most of all. 

Fall was designed to feel comfy and cozy snuggled between fuzzy blankets with the ones you love the most!

Be Present

Finally, whether it be a trip to the pumpkin patch or a day in the kitchen baking treats, be present.

Put away the phone, turn off the computer, clean later, schedule activities so they won’t be interrupted by appointments or work related tasks. 

Carry those kitchen counter hours over into intentional family fun time. Use this time to be engaged with your family. Laugh together, share stories, open your hearts and create memories that will last forever.

How do you plan for an intentional season with your family? 

Planning for the upcoming holiday season is important but it doesn’t have to be daunting or time-consuming. In fact, it’s pretty easy with my Your Intentional Holiday: Heart & Home Planning Toolkit!

Designed to help you think through what matters most to you and your family, this planner will help you plan for your entire holiday season, fall through the New Year… and beyond into the New Year!

Your Intentional Holiday: Heart & Home Planning Toolkit is a 180-page coil bound workbook and planner designed to help you navigate through the holiday season.

Filled with planning worksheets to help you plan your holiday belief statement, identify your expectations, plan for meaningful traditions and set your calendar up, this planning guide will help you experience more peace and joy this holiday season.

Purposely designed with simple black text and plenty of white space to give you plenty of room to customize and add your own personal style through favorite colored pens, markers, stickers, or washi tape