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As the seasons shift and routines pick up again, life often speeds up for moms. Between school schedules, work demands, and family routines, it’s easy to slip into autopilot; pouring from a cup that’s already running low. But every season offers an opportunity to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself. Fall is no exception and perhaps one of my favorite times to evaluate and reset my self-care.
This fall let’s talk about simple, soul-nourishing ways you can care for yourself without adding more pressure to your already full days.
Start Your Morning with Intention
Fall mornings feel different. The air is cooler; the world seems quieter. Use this natural calm; this indescribable shift in the atmosphere, to center yourself before the day begins. Instead of rushing straight into breakfast or emails, take five intentional minutes just for you.
If your mornings are hectic, wake up ten minutes earlier to have some quiet time just for you. Be intentional about what you do with that time. Light a candle, sip your tea slowly, and think about one thing you’re grateful for. Because yes, gratitude can sometimes take intentionality also. Write it down if you can. Gratitude sets the tone for the day, helping you focus on what’s good instead of what’s urgent. I talk about this and how journaling helps in my blog post “Finding Gratitude in Hard Seasons”.
It’s a small shift that brings warmth and mindfulness into your daily routine.
Nourish Your Body with Comforting, Healthy Foods
Fall calls for cozy flavors and warm meals, but self-care doesn’t mean indulging in everything pumpkin-spiced and sugar filled. Instead, focus on foods that nourish and comfort.
Try soups loaded with vegetables (pumpkin soup included), roasted root veggies with olive oil, or oatmeal topped with cinnamon and apples. These meals are comforting while giving your body what it needs to thrive.
For busy moms, meal prep can also become an act of self-care. I personally hate having to cook every day. Cook a large pot of your family’s favorite soup on Sunday and enjoy it throughout the week. Every time you heat it up, you’re giving your future self a small gift; less stress, more nourishment and more me-time.
Get Outside and Move Your Body
It’s easy to stay indoors when the temperatures drop or when the draft is falling, like my mom says. But the fresh fall air can do wonders for your mood and energy. Bundle up, grab your favorite scarf, sweater or tam, and head out for a short walk.
Nature is soothing; it reminds you that every season has beauty and purpose. Listen to the crunch of leaves beneath your feet, feel the cool breeze, and take deep breathes. Even a ten-minute walk after dinner can clear your mind and help you unwind. And apparently it helps with reducing blood sugar after meals. That’s a bonus!
If you want, you can make it a family affair. Turn weekend mornings into nature walks or leaf-hunting adventures with your kids. It’s exercise, connection, and joy all rolled into one.
Create an Evening Wind-Down Routine
Moms often end their day still on the go, finishing chores, looking over homework or scrolling through their phones for missed messages or the latest news until they fall asleep. But what if your evenings became cherished, an opportunity to recharge your spirit before tomorrow’s hectic schedule begins?
Try turning off screens 30 minutes before bed. I know it’s hard but you’re totally worth it! Make a cup of herbal tea, something calming like Chamomile. Light a candle, maybe a fall scent like pumpkin or apple cinnamon and do something gentle; journal, read a devotional, run a warm bath, talk with God or stretch. Just try clearing your mind from the busyness of the day for those 30 minutes right before bed. Making this a habit will help you wind-down by shifting your prospective from the chaos of the day to getting a peaceful, restful sleep.
Reconnect with What Brings You Joy
As moms, it’s easy to forget who we were before the to-do lists and deadlines took over. Fall is the perfect time to reconnect with joy. Those little things that make you feel alive.
Maybe it’s baking, painting, listening to your favorite music or gardening. Give yourself permission to do it just because. Check out my blog “4 Low-Maintenance Vegetables for Your Tropical Fall Garden” just in case you think you can’t garden in the fall.
Joy doesn’t always have to come from something productive or sophisticated. Schedule these small pleasures into your week, even if it’s only for 20 minutes. When you make space for what lights you up, you show your family that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
Simplify Your Surroundings
If your home is like mine, then clutter seems to come out of nowhere and make its home in the least ideal places. Wish it would stop doing that….all on its own! But I admit, clutter drains energy, especially when life gets busy. You may think you’re doing yourself a favor by leaving it for a more opportune time, but it just keeps piling up. Clutter can also hinder your productivity and creativity. It definitely does that to me.
This fall, take a cue from nature and let go of what no longer serves you.
Start small and organize a single drawer or clear your kitchen counter. You know, that one corner or of your kitchen counter (or drawer) that has been unofficially dubbed the clutter spot. All the odd things get dumped there and once they stay in that spot you consider the counters cleared. Or is it just me? Anyway, each time you release clutter, you make space for peace. You might even donate a few items, passing them on to families who could use them.
Add cozy touches too, like a soft throw blanket, a fall-scented candle, or a small vase of fall inspired flowers. These little details transform your home into a sanctuary that welcomes rest and warmth.
Protect Your Time and Energy
Self-care also means knowing how to set healthy boundaries and knowing when to say “no”. As the holidays approach, obligations pile up fast. School and church events, family dinners, work projects and gatherings are all being planned simultaneously. You don’t have to do it all.
Before you say yes to something, pause and ask yourself: Does this add joy or drain me?
Protect your time and energy by choosing what truly matters. That may mean skipping one event to enjoy a quiet night at home and rejuvenate before the next. Your family will benefit far more from your calm presence than your constant exhaustion and crankiness. It’s okay to say “no, unfortunately my schedule doesn’t allow for that”. That’s not selfish. It’s self-care!
Lean into Faith and Reflection
Fall invites reflection. It’s a season of gratitude, change, and hopefully slowing down. Spend a few minutes each day connecting with your faith, whether through prayer, reading and meditating on scripture, or quiet reflection. You can also put a playlist together of some of your favorite gospel songs and listen to those during one of your alone times.
Remind yourself that even when life feels chaotic, you’re not carrying it alone. Let go of the need to do everything perfectly mentality. Instead, trust that grace is enough.
If it helps, write your favorite scripture verse on a sticky note and place it where you’ll see it each morning. You can even have more than one. Those small reminders can anchor you when the day feels heavy.
What’s in Your Cup Today?
As you move through this busy season, remember that self-care doesn’t have to be perfect or Insta-worthy. It’s about creating small, consistent moments that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.
Take it one day at a time but be intentional. Celebrate the effort, not the outcome. And when you start to feel overwhelmed just pause, breathe, and remind yourself; you’re doing your best, and that’s enough. Give yourself grace! Fall is a time for letting go, reflection, and renewal. Let it remind you that slowing down is not a weakness, it’s wisdom. You can’t pour from an empty cup!
What’s in your cup today? How about intentional self-care!