2026 Fall Reset

Day 1: Tuesday — Decorate your home

I know, 72.8% of you reading this have already done this. Every year, the fall season hits retail earlier and earlier (same with Christmas) and we flock to it because it’s the only time corporate capitalism embraces something cozy and warm. I have learned to wait, as hard as it is, until September first. The first of it being, I liked to organize my life a LOT including my online photo storage. Having a set date for my observances helps. September first is the first day of my fall, I like meteorological seasons. They make much more sense to me. AND…. I acknowledge we live in a fascist hellscape. I will not begrudge someone whose coping mechanism is getting their pumpkin spice latte in 102 degree heat on July 28th. The purpose of my seasonal changes is to dig magical groves to help my magic and my homes energy flow without a crap ton of my own effort each time. So September first, no matter how bad I want fall, is when I’ll pull out my decorations. If you’re not a decorator, become one. Get a table runner, get a scarecrow sign for your kitchen. Even if its one little tchotchke, get something out in a visible spot in your home to remind you for three months straight that its the ingathering season.

Day 2: Wednesday — Prep throw blankets

If you don't have one, this can be your decoration. Look! multitasking. It doesn’t matter if its 98 degrees outside, get a throw blanket on your couch, your chair, your bed. Wherever you might curl up and watch a movie, read a book or gossip with someone in your home. This is your comfort cloak all through winter. If it’s stinky or dusty, as I'm sure mine are, wash them.

Day 3: Thursday — Check your hot beverage stash

Teas, hot chocolates, coffees — maybe you like warm liquor. Whatever you will be sipping on, while gossiping under your comfort cloak, check your stash. If you need to replenish, add it to your grocery list and stock as able. Maybe the tin is gross and needs to be washed out. Take care of it now so when you need that hot chocolate, it’s there.

Day 4: Friday — Mug collectors to the front!

swap out your mugs. You MIGHT have done this on day one depending how you use your mugs. If you didn’t nows the time. I personally am not a mug collector. I have.... I think six? Coffee mugs in this house. When I used to host tea at my house, I had friends bring mugs with them. However, this is a keystone of so many peoples cozy, it gets a dedicated day. For me, someone whose entire collection fits on one shelf, Ill wipe down that shelf today.

Day 5: Saturday — Rest and reflect

This day is used for thinking of what the verb “ingathering” means to you. What sort of rest do you need in the coming season? If you need to, use today to catch up.

Day 6: Sunday — Bake something

I don’t care if it is dollar tree boxed cake or even a quick pancake. Bake something. If you have time, money and ability- bake something new. Try apple pie totally from scratch or even a no-bake cheese cake you’ve been wanting to make. B/Make something that contains fat in it. I’m not asking anyone to eat an excessive amount of any nutrient. Respect your bodies needs.

Day 7: Monday — Sort your art supplies

If you have entirely too many for this to be a one day project, pick one category. Fabric arts are a historically common one to sort this time of year. Make sure your yarn isn't infested with dead moths, count your fabric scraps and be realistic about what you'll use this winter. Make sure you have the thread needed for any mending you may do. Check your wood burner works, your clay isn't dry. Toss what you cant use and swap what you wont use. Someone else WILL.

Day 8: Tuesday — Message a friend you haven't talked to in at least two weeks

Even a quick social media DM saying, “Hey, thinking of you. How have you been?” And be SURE to read and reply when they do. Not the instant they don't, but don't forget about it for days. Write a note if you need to. Set a reminder on your phone. This is about connecting and fostering connection. Feed the soul of your village.

Day 9: Wednesday — Get yourself a new to you (because used is FABULOUS) puzzle, book, board game

Something screen free, unless needed for ability aid, that you can sit with and either connect with yourself or with someone you cherish. This includes borrowing a book from the library. Even if you’ve never once read a library book, the act of checking it out is a step. And yes that means giving yourself work later, returning the book is important.

Day 10: Thursday — Take a walk outside

Unless there's a hurricane or hailstorm lasting all day, go outside and just walk around the block and get this, without headphones or earbuds. Walk around the parking lot at work if that is all you have access to. Pick up at least five different sounds, be it a bird tweeting, a cricket chirping or road rage. Listen to what's around you. Feel how your body reacts. Does your stomach tighten? Do your shoulders relax? Take five to fifty minutes and just listen to the sounds and your body.

Day 11: Friday — Rest and Reflect Use today to catch up, if needed, to reflect on the seasonal changes

What’s different in your home? What is changing outside? What changes can you see around you?

Day 12: Saturday — Switch up your cozy drink home

This will look different for everyone. Maybe you have a coffee nook nestled in the corner of your kitchen, or perhaps a dedicated bar in your living room. Maybe all you got is a spoon rest on your stove. Find the “heart” of your cozy beverages, that might even just be your blender bottle. Find it, now change it. You don’t need a full blown remodel, but make this change noticeable. Take time each day through fall to notice that change. For me, I have all my teas set on a shelf in my kitchen. I may move the shelf entirely or I may relabel the jars. Making a visual change to your cozy beverage area draws your attention and helps you set the rhythm- and start enjoying a cozy beverage more often.

Day 13: Sunday — Cook something

Not a microwave frozen diner, but it doesn't have to be the finest of French cuisine either. It could be mashed potatoes from real potatoes, maybe a meat loaf, perhaps homemade gravy and store bought biscuits? Or flip that- whatever. Just cook something that requires your physical action and attention, and you’re gonna deliciously enjoy it. This can be soup too, soup season is lovely.

Day 14: Monday — Watch an art video in the category of art you like to perform

Be it knitting, oil painting, interpretive dance- watch a video that inspires you and makes you crave your art- art as a VERB.

Day 15: Tuesday — Mail and letter/card OR call someone

Personally, I loath calling people on the phone, but I want to make things as accessible as possible. Perhaps getting to the post isn’t real for you. Even if you mail it to someone living in your home, make that type of connection. Be it hand written (emails do not count here) or verbal. Could literally be a piece of paper saying “Thinking of you, this person on the internet said to write a letter so I am.” But write a physical letter or do an actual phone call. If you're using a video call, no filter.

Day 16: Wednesday — Take inventory of your cozy things

The physical items you have that you do when you have spare time (what's that?) and are restful. Puzzles, sudoku books, novels, comics, DVDS (what's that again?), video games, ceramic poodles in a cabinet in the corner. Take a mental tally of the physical items you have that make you feel something you like. Just count them. Mentally or on paper. Nothing more, nothing less.

Day 17: Thursday — I am so sorry ADHD community... Do nothing

Sit in silence and stare at a fixated spot for 3-5. If that wasn't difficult enough, Stop the thoughts from coming in. Nope, doesn't matter if dishes need don't. Don't think of bubbles, don't rehash out that argument in the seventh grade. You mind WILL wander (unless you're trained in this) and each time, bring it back in. No need to restart the timer and yes please set one. Now, do it again for the same amount of time and this time check off (virtually or on paper) each time you hear a new sound. Not new to you, but new to the session. So if a dog is barking four woofs, one check. IF a dog barks four woofs and then stops, barks again- two checks. Don't debate it in the moment, its not about how many checks you do or don't get. Its about focusing on silence and sound.

Day 18: Friday — This may be too late or too early in your season, adjust as needed... But check on your winter gear

Do your winter boots have holes in them? Does your coat need a patch? Do you have enough gloves? I like to give them all a washing now as well because gloves get so nasty.

Day 19: Saturday — Final rest and reflection day

We’re almost three weeks into September. Lets be real, Christmas is probably in your local Walmart. Halloween is in full swing- because we do everything like that, at least in the US. It’s been “fall” in commercial land for two months. What do you want your season of change to shape into over the coming years? It IS a season of consuming. The squirrel is storing their nuts, the bear is fattening up, the geese are taking massive “vacations” so don't feel guilty over your natural instinct to obtain. AND, we live in a world where everything is a commodity to be bought and sold- find the balance in your life, which will change season by season.

Day 20: Sunday — Drink something new

Homebrewed or at a cafe, have a new beverage that you've never tried before. Have something SEASONAL. Don't be trying passion guava nectar right now but that doesnt mean it has to be pumpkin or apple either. Drink it slowly, if you can afford the time.

Day 21: Monday — Rewatch a movie or restart a TV series

Something comforting. Recently the algorithm has put clips of an old cartoon I liked into my feed, As Told By Ginger. I think I’m gonna watch some of those episodes. That was easy to watch, it felt soothing. Aim for that sensation. It doesn’t have to be a flash back from your youth, it could be last years box office hits. But something you’ve already seen and enjoyed. Not reels or TikTok but traditional media.

Day 22: Tuesday — Set some intention, refresh home protections and embrace the season

Today is Autumn by all calendars in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the beginning of the dark into dark season. Remember, darkness is not bad. It is a season of rest, of reflection, of inwardness and of ingathering. This is the season to embrace welcoming into your home and to be welcomed into others. It’s a cozy season because its biologically a need for us All the cheap, overpriced decorations? All the seemingly fancy drinks? The fast fashion sweaters? Those are corporations capitalizing on a historical truth that is so intertwined into our existence, its become a genetic need. Navigating the need without falling into over spending, over indulgence and clutter can be difficult. I hope the intentions in this reset help, even if just a little. May your season of dark be a comfort and not a scare.