15 Fall Self-Care Ideas: Unwind After a Long Day

[A collaboration post – all thoughts are my own.]

[This article was originally published in October 2022 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.]

I love the fall season! I love the changing colors and the falling leaves. Fall is a season of change. Nature transitions from the light of summer to the darkness of winter. While many of us can become extremely busy with school, work, and life events, even just an hour a week dedicated to enjoyable fall self-care ideas can have a big impact!

The beginning of the fall season is September 1st, and last month was a very busy month for me. I received four translation projects, two of which had a total of over 20,000 words. I lost a considerable amount of sleep and neglected to take care of myself. Working is fun for me, especially if it involves translating. I do, however, spend far too much time in front of a screen. The dizziness that had been frequent throughout the last two weeks also caused my eyes to feel tired quickly.

There is something about the fall season. It happens between the hot, carefree summer and the chilly, peaceful winter. We have the chance to combine classic self-care routines with the seasonal highlights of the fall season. It’s the perfect time to reflect, express gratitude, and start to slow down.

Fall Self-Care Ideas

Over the years, I’ve learned that during busy times, I especially need to make time for myself, even if it’s just a few minutes each day to unwind, recharge, and reset. I’m more energized, less stressed out, and better prepared to face whatever the day brings!

I hope this post is useful if you feel like you’re facing a busy season or if you just need some fall self-care ideas to carve out some time for yourself.

Enjoy a relaxing bath

Nothing beats taking a nice bath with bubbles. Add a fall-themed bath bomb and some fall-scented candles to make it festive.

Have a Halloween movie marathon

One of the fall self-care ideas I love is a Halloween movie marathon. Put on your favorite scary movies. As a fan of the horror genre, I have a long list of spooky films that would be perfect for Halloween.

Create a new morning routine

Mornings might look different for you from season to season. Grab some inspiration from my morning routine.

Declutter your closet

Your life will be made so much better by one small action. I know I hate going to my closet and digging through all the warm clothes that are simply no longer fit for the season. So make room in your closet for gorgeous fall outfits by pushing your summer clothing to the back.

Make a happy list

Writing down all the enjoyable, motivating, and joyful things truly improves your happiness. Make a list of all the things of fall that you enjoy and love. After that, I promise you’ll be brimming with anticipation.

Find a fall festival

I enjoy looking for a good festival. Although we don’t really have a fall festival here in Bali, there are a lot of upcoming events towards the end of the year. There will be a Japanese festival soon, and I’m really looking forward to it. There’s probably one within an hour of you. This is usually a good fall weekend idea!

Go for a drive

Even a short amount of time each day spent outside in the fall can be very motivating. It’s good for your mental health to occasionally change your environment.

Do a fall-themed puzzle

As a huge fan of puzzles myself, I highly suggest adding a cute fall-themed puzzle to your collection. There are so many lovely fall scenes to pick from. They are accessible online and at nearby stores.

Visit local tourist sites

Visits to nearby tourist attractions can be a lot of fun throughout the year. It’s always a pleasure to see your downtown area all decorated in adorable fall decor. You can also see if any new seasonal restaurants are opening up in your neighborhood. I hope to find one this month!

Make yourself a hot drink

This fall self-care idea is an excellent chance to practice mindfulness. Sit comfortably and enjoy a hot cup of coffee while focusing on how nice you feel after each sip.

Read a book

This next fall self-care idea is one of my favorites – reading! The best excuse to spend the day cuddled up reading is on a cool, rainy day. Grab a cup of hot coffee, put your phone away, and get immersed in a fantastic book.

Unplug from social media

It’s never a bad idea to take a social media detox every few months. Scrolling is how we waste so much time. It’s beneficial to use social media with intention, and it usually improves your mood as well.

Paint your nail

I started getting pedicures at a nearby spa a few times in the previous months, and they are quite relaxing. However, if you go frequently (like I do), you should consider getting a fall-themed pedicure or manicure as part of the fall self-care idea!

Collect fall leaves and scrapbook them

To do this each year is genuinely such a sweet concept. You can let the leaves act as a reminder of all your happy fall experiences! Find any particularly special leaves to save, if you can.

Get your fall-scented candles

I think that the best thing about fall is the wonderful candle scents. I’m aware that this is the time of year when I tend to get pulled into candle shopping. You may also get your fill of delicious fall scents from essential oils if you have a diffuser!