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Transitioning into Fall

By: Rachel Brown

September 22nd marks the official start of the autumn season and while there are so many fun things to look forward to in the fall, sometimes it’s difficult to transition from the carefree vibes of summer to the productive, pumpkin-scented months that follow. We’ve cooked up some ways to lessen the blow in the switch in seasons, and we’d love to hear your tips for transitioning from summer to fall.

Go Back-to-School Shopping

 Whether or not you’re heading back to school this fall, everyone can reminisce over the fun of shopping for new school supplies. While many of us aren’t spending our days in a classroom any longer, we can still embrace the theme of back-to-school shopping as it applies to our careers. Use fall as a reset of sorts; even though you’ve spent each day of the summer season at work, the new season can help spur on new inspiration. Spruce up your workspace with some new supplies—pretty notebooks, a new lamp for your desk, or lovely organizational tools. Or snag a work-related clothing purchase that you’ve been eyeing for awhile—new shoes, a great sweater, or a fun bag. Just a dose of something special and new will hopefully bring about inspiration and freshness, whether you’re continuing on in the daily grind at work or heading back into the classroom.

 Learn a New Skill

 Regardless of whether we’re in school or in the workplace, honing a new skill is a life-giving activity for all of us. Students especially may wince at the idea of adding one more learning-based activity to their overloaded schedules, but think outside the box and use the time to stimulate yourself creatively, emotionally, or socially rather than academically. Have you always wanted to cook a certain type of cuisine? Sign up for a class. Want to try your hand at pottery? Find opportunities at a local community college or arts school. Interested in calligraphy? Register for a fun brunch + hand-lettering workshop. By using your mind outside of the classroom or the workplace, you’re allowing your brain to expand and stretch in new, meaningful ways. You’re also reinvigorating your spirit, providing ways for you to be newly inspired in your daily setting at school or work.

 Tidy Up Your Space

 Think of this like you would spring cleaning, but in the fall. As we transition from summer to fall, it’s so nice to rid ourselves of clutter and prepare for the seasonal changes ahead. Consider creating a capsule wardrobe for fall, putting away (or donating) summer clothes that you’ll no longer wear as cooler temperatures roll around. Spruce up your household décor by adding fall-themed touches that bring you joy—a pumpkin-scented candle, for example, or seasonal flowers. Toss old notebooks and school/office supplies, replacing them with fresh new ones (see the back-to-school shopping tip above). Do a deep clean of your dorm room or office, pulling out all the stops with your favorite household cleaning supplies and organizational tools. By physically creating a fresh start in your space, it will be easier to create an emotional and mental fresh start as you transition into fall.

 Plan A Trip

 Nothing helps more during a transitional time than having something to look forward to in the coming months. Summer is typically full of vacations and parties and events, and while the holidays hold the same allure, the fall season presents more of a blank canvas, providing lots of opportunities to pencil in activities and plans that invigorate us and bring us joy. Research shows that simply planning a trip brings us lots of joy, so ease into the new season by recruiting girlfriends to go on a road trip together, planning a weekend excursion to visit your parents, or exploring a new city for the first time.

 What tips do you have for transitioning from summer to fall?

Photo Cred: Cecil Vedemil

about the authorRachel  is the Director of Development for Touch A Life, an organization committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of children who have been exploited and trafficked in West Africa and Southeast Asia. Though she loves working in the non-profit world, Rachel has always been passionate about writing, pursuing opportunities to put pen to paper outside of her day job. Aside from writing for Darling Magazine, she maintains a personal blog, Coffee & Tacos, where she connects with others through food, travel, faith & community. Rachel lives in Dallas, TX, with her husband, their adorably large English mastiff, and a new baby girl, Ruby.

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