It’s almost here, the season we’ve all been waiting for—fall.

Fall is all about change. We leave summer behind, the leaves change color, and a new school season begins. Many celebrate this change by bringing lots of new things into their homes and their lives, including cozy autumnal items, Halloween decorations, and checkout aisle impulse buys.

How do we embrace fall and settle in for the cooler months without abandoning minimalism? This blog post explores the beauty of reconnecting with people and activities that bring you joy, incorporating natural and biodegradable seasonal items into your home, and prioritizing experiences over things.

bringing fall elements into your home

We all love a good leaf garland or cute sign that infuses our homes with the essence of fall. But bringing new seasonal items into your home can create a lot of unnecessary clutter, especially when those items are nonperishable and serve only a decorative purpose.

Here are some ways to bring fall into your home while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic.

• Incorporate natural elements into your décor. Use pumpkins, apples, flowers, gourds, and grasses to elicit the color and texture of fall without relying on lifeless, manufactured goods that will collect dust in storage when the season is over.

• Bring in anything aromatic. This includes seasonal candles, potpourris, garlands, essential oils like cinnamon and clove for your oil diffuser, and mulling spices for the stovetop.

• Honor your late loved ones in the tradition of Día de los Muertos, “The Day of the Dead.” Día de los Muertos occurs on November 1 and 2, the two days after Halloween. The holiday originated in Mexico, where it is widely observed today. Observers typically install an altar or “ofrenda” in their homes, complete with photos, marigold flowers, and items that remind them of their deceased loved ones, such as their favorite foods and beverages or pieces of their clothing or jewelry. You can commemorate your lost loved ones all year round, but because fall is the season that celebrates the ending of things as part of the natural life cycle, it is the perfect time to create a dedicated time and space for this practice.

cleaning out your closet

Spring may get most of the credit as far as cleaning is concerned, but fall is also a great time to get organized and get rid of clothing items that no longer serve you. You can take a minimalistic approach in both directions.

First, as you put your summer clothes away, consider what you wore and what you enjoyed wearing and donate the rest. And second, take stock of your fall and winter sweaters, jackets, and other clothes. Reassess what fits and what you still like, and get rid of the rest of those items as well. If you are feeling really ambitious, you may want to consider creating a capsule wardrobe for the season.

During this process, you can assess categories of clothing you need to re-purchase and make a list of items you need. Then, do research on those items and stick to your list instead of settling for whatever catches your eye first.

developing cozy habits

Another way to settle into fall and use things you already have is to develop a few cozy rituals.

• Drink a warm beverage every morning, such as tea, coffee, or hot water with a lemon or orange slice. You can enjoy this on your apartment balcony, back porch, or couch. Try doing this without your phone and enjoy a good book, some music, or silence instead and see how you feel after a few days.

• Did I mention books? Reading is such a cozy, restful activity that’s perfect for the colder months. Try reading a book you already have, listen to an audiobook, download something on your e-reader or tablet, or visit your local library. Diving back into reading if you’re not an avid reader currently can be intimidating, so ask a trusted friend or do a little research to come up with three titles that appeal to you and commit to the first one you find. Here are a few of my favorites that I recommend for fall reading:

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

• The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo

• Untamed by Glennon Doyle

• Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

• You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance by Chani Nicholas

• The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein

• The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer

• Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown

• Light a candle and place it in the middle of your table every evening during dinner time.

• Take warm baths with bergamot, sage, cedarwood, clove, or pine oil.

• Knit or crochet clothing items to give away to your friends and family.

• Make a fall-inspired playlist and listen to it in your home or in the car.

having fun with autumnal food

Enjoying seasonal foods is one of the best parts about the changing of the seasons. Visiting your local farmers market and trying new (or old!) recipes is a great way to enjoy fall without indulging in material things. Here are a few fall foods to explore this season.

• Sautéed butternut squash and mustard greens

• Roasted pumpkin seeds

• Applesauce or apple butter

• Pear and blue cheese pizza

• Butternut squash soup

• Cream of mushroom soup

• Broccoli cheddar soup

• Chili

• Cornbread

• Cardamom buns

• Cinnamon rolls

• Hearty, wholegrain bread

connecting with your community

Sometimes the best way to enjoy food is by sharing it. Consider hosting a fall gathering such as a potluck, board game night, or Autumnal Equinox party for friends and family. You can use this time together to celebrate transitions, set intentions, express gratitude, and welcome abundance for the holiday season. You can do this by:

• Writing down things you would like to let go of on slips of paper and burning them in a bonfire, firepit, or fireplace.

• Taking turns stating your intentions for the fall and winter seasons.

• Reciting an affirmation or prayer as a group to express gratitude and manifest abundance.

experiencing culture and nature

Finally, you can enjoy fall by seeking out experiences rather than things. As an added bonus, some experiences involve collecting items that hold the memory of those activities and bring new energy into your home, even if only temporarily. This year, try one or more of the following fall activities:

• Apple or pear picking

• Visiting a pumpkin patch

• Getting lost in a corn maze

• Going for a hay ride

• Taking a hike

• Signing up for a wreath-, candle-, or soap-making class

• Planting a tree in your yard or somewhere out in the community

• Embarking on a guided mushroom foraging excursion

• Taking a camping trip

If you live in or are visiting the Portland, Oregon area and are looking for fall activities, here are some of the best fall things to do in Portland:

• Bella Organic Farm—a pumpkin patch, winery, and certified organic farm on Sauvie Island. Bella Organic Farm has a pumpkin patch and corn maze during the fall season.

• The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta—a river race series and festival in Tualatin, Oregon where rowers use giant pumpkins as boats.

• The Portland Japanese Garden—the Japanese Garden is open all year round, but many say that fall is the best time of year to visit. While you’re there, stop by the Umami Café for some hot tea and dessert.

• Pittock Mansion Hike—hike to Portland’s famous Pittock Mansion via the Lower Macleay Park Trailhead in Forest Park to take in the lush forest and a gorgeous view of the city.

If you are looking for a fun day trip outside the city, here are some of the best fall things to do in Oregon:

• Mirror Lake Trail—hike the loop around Mirror Lake near Government Camp, Oregon to enjoy the fall colors and a view of Mt. Hood.

• Kiyokawa Family Orchards—an apple and pear orchard located in an area of the Hood River Valley known as “The Fruit Loop.”

• The Gorge Whitehouse—a fourth generation, family-owned farm where you can enjoy wine, cider, fresh fruit, and gorgeous views.

• Witches Paddle—a stand-up paddle board float in Bend, Oregon where participants dress up in witch costumes.

• Spirit of Halloweentown—visit St. Helens, Oregon to see where Halloweentown was filmed, check out the giant pumpkin in the courthouse plaza, and enjoy various seasonal activities and attractions.

• Mt. Angel Oktoberfest—check out the largest folk festival in the Pacific Northwest. The Mt. Angel Oktoberfest features good food, great beer, and of course, dancing.

• Friends of Trees—volunteer with this organization and plant a tree in the Eugene, Salem, or Portland community.

No matter what you choose to do (or buy) this fall, remember that there is no wrong way to celebrate a new season that you love. The important thing is to consider what brings you joy, pays respect and gratitude to the planet, fosters connection with your friends and family, and helps you feel at peace.

get started

Would you like inspiration for and guidance with your fall minimizing and organizing? Download The Modern Minimalist Method Workbook, check out the services I offer, or set up a complimentary consultation here to discuss your home organizing needs.