8 Inspiring Tips to Create a Healthier, Balanced Autumn Routine
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As creatives and content creators, we juggle so much! We wear so many hats! Balancing energy, staying inspired, finding motivation, managing burnout, and more, all while trying to produce our best work. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but worry not—autumn is here to help us realign our routine.
I’ve found that embracing autumn’s slower pace and cozy atmosphere is exactly what I needed after moving at full speed through the summer. Adjusting my routine to include more grounding and slow activities, outdoor walks, seasonal, nutrient-rich meals, and giving more time to my hobbies has greatly improved my mental health and sparked inspiration for some of my projects. The colors, the crisp air, and even the shorter, colder days have helped me reconnect with my creative energy in a way that summer didn’t.
Here’s a list of things that have worked for me!
1. Start Your Day with Grounding Activities
The way you start your day is critical! What better way to honor the season’s slower pace than with a mindful activity that relieves tension and prepares you for a creative day ahead?
- Stretching or Yoga: My favorite YouTube channel for seasonal yoga is Moon Medicine Yoga! This Fall Yoga Flow is perfect for the season.
- Journaling: Have you seen the beautiful collage spreads on Pinterest? If you make a little extra time in the morning to be creative and approach journaling in a new way (with more pictures, stickers, fun layouts, and autumnal themes), it can be a fantastic activity to stimulate your creativity. Besides documenting your day-to-day life, which is what we typically associate with journaling, you can add fun spreads like autumn prompts, reviews of movies/TV shows/music you’ve recently enjoyed, weekend plans or a book TBR. Below, I’ve included a prompt list I created for the season!
- Gratitude List: Autumn marks the time of harvest in many cultures, a period when crops are gathered, the fruits of labor are celebrated, and communities come together to give thanks for the bounty and recognize the effort put into cultivation. Gratitude and abundance resonate deeply during this season. I highly recommend jotting down three things you’re grateful for each morning. You can keep a small notebook on your nightstand or use a phone app. I use Day One for mine! I love it because the free version offers so much. My favorite feature is the “On this day” section, where you can see what you wrote a year ago on the same day. It’s incredibly motivating to maintain a gratitude list, knowing that a year from now, you’ll be able to reflect on where you were in life.
- Meditation: I know meditation isn’t for everyone, but give guided meditation a try! If you’re not yet able to fully get into a peaceful meditative state, you can simply listen to these videos as a way to relax and inspire yourself before starting your day. My favorite channel for this is Great Meditation, and for the season, I love this Abundance video, as well as this Autumn Equinox one! If morning meditation doesn’t work for you, I personally prefer to meditate after work, when I’m home and comfortable. Meditation helps me shift away from work-related thoughts and easily transition into my wind-down autumn routine. 🙂
2. Prioritize Warm, Nutrient-Dense Meals
Autumn offers a bounty of hearty vegetables and comforting flavors, making it the perfect time to embrace warm foods that fuel your body properly. Incorporate seasonal produce like squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and root vegetables into your meals, such as stews or soups. Not only will these dishes satisfy your hunger, but they’ll also create a cozy atmosphere. Plus, they can easily be prepared in large batches, giving you quick, healthy options throughout the week. Here are two super easy recipes I like to make when I’m pressed for time.
Here are some of my favorite recipes I keep making every fall!
Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
by Rainbow Plant Life
One Skillet Vegan Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas
by Make It Dairy Free
Butternut Squash Hummus
by Minimalist Baker
3. Stay Hydrated with Seasonal Beverages
As the weather cools, it’s easy to forget that staying hydrated during autumn is just as crucial as it is in the warmer months. While we often associate hydration with hot summer days, the crisp, dry air of fall can be just as dehydrating. Whether you’re working on a new project or preparing content, keeping your body hydrated helps maintain mental clarity, focus, and energy.
In the cooler months, you can swap your cold drinks for warm, nourishing alternatives that not only keep you hydrated but also bring a sense of comfort. Seasonal beverages are a wonderful way to indulge in the flavors of autumn while taking care of your body!
Here are a few delicious and hydrating options to enjoy:
4. Embrace The Outdoors
Stepping outside and taking advantage of the cool, crisp air to partake in hiking and nature walks. Light exercise can offer a refreshing break from hours spent working indoors. Nature walks provide the opportunity to clear your mind, reduce stress, and feel more grounded, even if where you live isn’t super scenic! Where I live, the trees do not change color nor do I get to enjoy the crunching of leaves, but heading outside still does wonders for my mental health! I can use my imagination to think the trees are vibrant colors and the air is chilly. (If you live somewhere picture-perfect in autumn, take advantage of it!)
5. Design an Autumn-Inspired Workspace
Designing an autumn-inspired workspace can do wonders for boosting your creativity and productivity, especially as we spend more time indoors. By incorporating cozy seasonal elements into your environment, you can create a space that feels warm, inviting, and conducive to your creative flow.
- Add Fall-Themed Decor: Include subtle touches like mini pumpkins, dried leaves, and autumnal-colored accents such as deep oranges, burgundies, and browns. Consider using a fall-themed mug for your tea and coffee for extra charm on your desk. Nature-inspired decorations are also lovely, especially if you pick them up on nature walks—things like acorns or pinecones can help you feel more connected to the changing seasons outside.
Black With Spooky and All Seasons Emojis +500 Characters, and Wooden Stand – 17×10.5 Inches.
14 Ounces. Perfect for Coffee, Tea, Milk, and More!
- Light Candles or Use Warm Lighting: Candles are an easy way to instantly cozy up your space. Choose autumn-scented candles like cinnamon, apple, or pumpkin spice to evoke the warmth and comfort of fall. Just a reminder to buy soy or coconut wax candles, as they are non-toxic and cruelty-free. If candles aren’t an option, you can opt for string lights or lamps with warm, soft light to help create the atmosphere.
4 Pack 36 oz Autumn Candle Soy Wax Candles for your Home.
Fragrances: Spiced Pumpkin, Autumn Wreath, Apple Pie & Clove Cinnamon.
10ft Copper Wire 30 LEDs.Battery Powered with Timer Remote Control.
Cute Mushroom Night Light. 2 Levels, Dimmable, LED & Rechargeable.
(Is it for kids? yes. Do i have one on my desk cause it’s absolutely adorable? also yes)
- Incorporate Textiles Like Blankets or Cushions: When it starts to get chilly outside, a soft blanket draped over your chair or a few cushions can help make your workspace more comfortable. The tactile textures and softness can help you feel more relaxed and at ease, offering a much-needed break from a cold desk or chair.
Double-Sided. Checkered. Super Soft. 50 x 60 inches, in Autumn Orange
- Declutter and Organize: As the season shifts from the hectic energy of summer, clear out unnecessary items to make space for new projects. A deep clean at the start of the season can help invite the mood it brings more easily.
- Infuse Your Space with Seasonal Aromas: Aromatherapy is a powerful way to transform your workspace into a sensory experience. You can try essential oils like clove, orange, cedarwood, and cinnamon to fill the room with rich, earthy scents of autumn. Be careful if you have pets in your workspace, as essential oils can be very toxic to cats specifically. A pet-friendly way to bring scents into your space is through simmer pots! I like to make mini simmer pots in wax melters—just keep them out of your pet’s reach. I enjoy little cast iron wax melters because they resemble a witch’s cauldron! 🙂
Cast iron. 5″ by 5″
Aroma Diffuser using Tealights. Can be used as Wax Melter or Simmer Pot.
6. Set Boundaries to Protect Your Creative Energy
Setting clear boundaries around your work can help you stay focused and ensure your creative output remains high quality and enjoyable for you.
Time management plays a key role in this process. Organize your day into focused blocks for client work, personal projects, and breaks, which allows you to give your best to each task without feeling overwhelmed. Learn to say no to projects that don’t align with your goals or that stretch your capacity too thin. By doing so, you protect your energy and reserve it for the work that truly matters.
Limiting distractions is equally important. Social media can be a major productivity killer, so set designated times to check your accounts and avoid constant notifications that disrupt your flow. By minimizing distractions, you’ll create an environment conducive to deep concentration and creativity.
It’s also essential to recognize your peak hours of productivity. Reserve your most important or creative tasks for the times of day when you feel most energized. Administrative work and meetings can wait until your energy naturally dips. This alignment with your natural rhythm ensures that you’re working at your best when it counts most.
Finally, establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. It’s easy to blur the lines when you work from home, but setting specific work hours and sticking to them will help you recharge and return to your projects with renewed focus. By protecting your time and energy, you’ll maintain a healthy balance that allows your creativity to thrive!
7. Schedule Time for Creative Play
In the midst of meeting deadlines and producing content, it’s easy to lose sight of the joy that comes from simply creating for the sake of it. That’s why scheduling time for creative play—without the pressure of delivering a polished piece—can be a game-changer for creatives! Whether it’s doodling, experimenting with new mediums, or crafting something completely unrelated to usual projects, creative play is essential for keeping your imagination alive. I like to do nature journaling, I sit in my garden to observe seasonal plants growing and draw them while studying them.
Engaging in low-stakes creative experimentation prevents burnout by offering a break from the daily grind and reminding you why you fell in love with your craft in the first place. The freedom to try something new or dive into a spontaneous project can spark inspiration for future content or even lead to discovering new artistic techniques you hadn’t considered before.
8. Prioritize Rest and Sleep
Sleep is crucial for mental clarity, idea generation, and maintaining a balanced, sustainable workflow. Without adequate rest, it becomes difficult to focus, creativity wanes, and burnout can creep in. Prioritizing sleep is essential for staying inspired and productive in the long run.
You can experiment with these tips to create your perfect wind-down autumn routine:
- Reduce screen time by at least one hour before bed.
- Read. I like cozy mysteries, witchy tales, magical realism, or thrillers this time of year. Below, I have my top favorites! (Extra points for reading by candlelight!)
- Listen to soothing music. Halloween/autumn lo-fi beats are out there for you! Classical music or dark academia playlists are also among my favorites.
- Sip on warm herbal tea.
- Take a bath or warm shower. You can use a fall-inspired bath bomb or diffuse scents to help you relax even more.
- Cozy up in autumn pajamas and blankets. If you can, treat yourself to a pair of fresh pajamas in autumn colors and/or a blanket in deep burgundy, bright orange, or rich red to add to the calming, cozy vibe.
Season’s Final Notes
By syncing your routine with the rhythms of autumn, you can nurture your health, balance your workflow, and enhance your creative output. As a creative or content creator, embracing the seasonal shift can provide the refresh you need to stay inspired and productive. Whether it’s starting your day with grounding rituals, fueling your body with warm, nutrient-dense meals, or prioritizing rest and creative play, these simple changes can have a big impact on your well-being and artistic flow. My best artwork happens when I’m synced to the seasons around me, it brings much-needed inspiration.
I encourage you to try one or two of these tips as you begin crafting your autumn routine. Start small, and let the process unfold naturally—these adjustments can help you align your creative practice with the changing season, offering a greater sense of balance and renewed energy!
Which autumn tip are you excited to try? Let me know how you’ll be syncing your routine with the season! 😀
If this article made things easier for you, I’d love it if you shared it with your friends and anyone who might need it!
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Feeling Inspired? Here’s Some Extra Fun Stuff!
- How to Create a Simple Sleep Routine for Odd Work Schedules
- Quick Guide to Natural Energy Drinks That Won’t Crash You (+ recipes)
- Top 10 Ways to Maximize Your 10-Minute Work Breaks
- Surviving Inktober: Managing Mental Health During Art Challenges
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