As much as I’d love to gush about experiencing the change of seasons every year of my life, I’ve actually experienced only two seasons growing up: rainy (July – November) and dry (December – June). Of course, we’d go through fall, spring, and summer; but they’re not as picturesque as most other places that get to experience them, with winter being completely out of the picture.
Going to San Francisco for the first time in autumn, I finally got to experience this lovely season and I’m glad that I was able to feel its warmth and understand its meaning even more.
As we exit the season of sun-kissed Summer, we enter the season of Autumn releasing. This is the season to reflect and let go of old habits, unwanted memories, and people who no longer align with our energy. It is the season to shed the old us and embrace the newfound experiences and knowledge about the world and about ourselves.
Holidays to Celebrate During the Season
- Search for ghosts on National Ghost Hunting Day (every last Saturday of September)
- Try a Fall-Themed Pancake on National Pancake Day (September 26)
- Help your neighbor with a task on National Good Neighbor Day (September 28)
- Try some classic coffee on National Coffee Day (September 29)
- Smile whenever you come across someone on World Smile Day (first Friday of October)
- Search for butterflies and/or hummingbirds on Butterfly and Hummingbird Day (October 3)
- Show appreciation towards your teacher on World Teachers Day (October 5)
- Read up on some history on Columbus Day & Indigenous Peoples' Day (October 11)
- Shop at a Farmer's Market on National Farmers Day (October 12)
- Treat yourself to your favorite dessert on National Dessert Day (October 14)
- Get artsy on International Artist's Day (October 25)
- Visit a Pumpkin Field on National Pumpkin Day (October 26)
- Anime binge while snacking on chocolate on International Animation & National Chocolate Day (October 28)
- Celebrate Halloween (October 31)
- Visit loved ones no longer in this world on All Soul's & All Saint's Day (November 1 & 2)
- Read your favorite stories Book Lovers Day (first Saturday of November)
- Cook a dish from another country on Cook Something Bold Day (November 8)
- Remember on Veterans Day (November 11)
- Do at least one act of kindness on World Kindness Day (November 13)
- Write a Fall-Themed short story on I Love To Write Day (November 15)
- Celebrate Thanksgiving (November 25)
- Donate to charity on Giving Tuesday (every Tuesday after Thanksgiving)
- Give a big bear hug to a loved one on Let's Hug Day (December 3)
- Volunteer in your community on International Volunteer Day (December 5)
- DIY your Christmas Tree on National Christmas Tree Day (December 8)
- Send out Christmas cards on Christmas Cards Day (December 9)
- Make a Gingerbread House on Gingerbread House Day (December 12)
- Wear an ugly Christmas sweater outdoors on National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day (Third Friday of December)
40 Activities to Harvest During Autumn Season
- JUMP IN A PILE OF LEAVES
I can’t be the only one who has wondered what it’s like to jump in a pile of leaves. Will the excitement that people on TV have to be similar to that of real life?
- BAKE A PUMPKIN PIE
I’ve been into making pies lately, without needing to bake them. I wonder if I can get away with this one if I can make a pumpkin pie without baking. Is it possible?
- VISIT A PUMPKIN PATCH
I’ve had a couple of opportunities to visit one before, but I don’t know why never went. I believe in timing and maybe there’s a reason why my experience of visiting a pumpkin patch hasn’t arrived yet.
- CARVE A PUMPKIN
I was so close to doing this as well, but I was worried about finances and I couldn’t afford to spend on something I necessarily didn’t need. One day though, one day.
- ATTEND A FALL FAIR OR FESTIVAL
I’ve attended multiple fairs and festivals in the past, but not one dedicated to the season. The rides and vendors may be the same, but I think the energy and vibe make it a special experience.
- CURL UP WITH A GOOD BOOK
We can drink hot chocolate while we’re at it. If we have a window sill, this scenario would be lovely to experience.
- GO ON A CARRIAGE RIDE
No matter how old I am, Cinderella made me fall in love with someday riding in a carriage. Imagine going on a foliage drive inside of a carriage. Now I definitely need to try this.
Turn yourself into a burrito blanket, turn on the fairy lights, maybe invite some friends over (or not for all the fellow introverts), and enjoy a relaxing day/night tearing up to drama movies, such as Stepmom.
- GO APPLE PICKING
Unfortunately, we don’t have apple trees on the island (at least none that I know of). And our mango trees bloom during Spring, so I can’t do Mango picking in Fall. Someday I’ll visit a place where apples grow during Fall and I get to experience picking apples.
Anything big and small is more than enough to get us grounded. We can make the list as long as we want them to, and then re-read the entire list afterward. We can keep the list and read them on other days as reminders of all the blessings we’ve achieved in life.
- SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY
Spending the holidays with my parents means a lot to me, and I will forever cherish all of the special moments we have together.
If drama movies aren’t our thing, then spooky season it is.
- TRY A PUMPKIN SPICE RECIPE
I was so excited when I finally got to try a Pumpkin spice drink from Starbucks. I’ve always heard good things about Pumpkin spice recipes, so I was tempted to try one. I tried the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Cream Brew. I thought the Spice Latte was okay, but I loved the Cream Brew. It’s probably my preference to cold drinks in general.
- GO ON A HIKE AND WATCH THE SUNSET
I’ve gone on hikes, and watched sunrises and sunsets before, but not together. Imagine hiking to a really high point and seeing this view at the end of our physical exercise.
- VISIT A SUNFLOWER FARM
I didn’t know this was a thing either, but I. LOVE. SUNFLOWERS and I really want to visit one someday. A Sunflower field would be just as perfect.
- GET FALL-SCENTED CANDLES
Honestly, Fall scents smell so strong for me, and I was never really drawn to them. For experience’s sake, I would still like to try and get one and light it up during the season. Who knows, I might come to love the scent.
- DECORATE THE HOME FOR HALLOWEEN
I saw a lot of really cool Halloween decorations on houses before, and since I’m easily inspired, I want to spookify my house for Halloween someday.
- NO TECHNOLOGY FOR A DAY
This is actually harder than I thought it would be. I couldn’t even last 30 minutes without doing something on my phone or laptop. I think this will be one of the hardest goals for me to achieve at any given moment.
- MAKE CARAMEL APPLES
I’ve tried eating Caramel Apples once, and to be honest, it wasn’t exactly a match for my tastebuds. I don’t know if it’s how it was made or something else, but I’m willing to give it another try. I also wouldn’t mind learning how to make them myself.
- COORDINATE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES WITH FAMILY/FRIENDS
This is mainly for good fun. I really want me and my group of friends to cosplay characters from Naruto as our costumes for Halloween someday. (I want to be Hinata.)
Handwritten letters are the best, and giving them to someone we’re close with or thankful for is a wonderful experience and feeling.
- VISIT A CORN/HAY MAZE
I never knew these existed until recently, and I really want to experience both of these someday.
- HOST A THANKSGIVING DINNER
Dinner with close friends and/or family is *chef’s kiss*
- DO A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS
Whether it’s a deed done for the neighborhood, school, friends, or family, helping others, big and small, is a great feeling to experience.
- HAVE A PICNIC AT THE PARK
It might be a little chilly doing this, but we get to go out in our fluffy coats, eat some warm appetizers, and admire the Autumn colors.
- HAVE A BONFIRE
Gather with friends and tell ghost stories or anything going on in our and their lives. Drink some hot chocolate milk and maybe even s’mores.
- WATCH THE LEAVES CHANGE
I’ve seen the leaves in their final change, but I’ve never actually seen them in their beginning stage. I don’t know if it’s possible to do so, but one can hope, right?
- GO ON A FALL NATURE WALK
Everyone should try this at least once. It’s incredibly peaceful and I’m often in a lighter mood afterward.
- DECORATE HOUSE FOR THANKSGIVING
I’ve been wanting to do this for a while as it seems so beautiful and I’ve never really seen many people make a big deal from Thanksgiving decorations.
- VISIT A FARMER'S MARKET
And get some fresh pumpkins to carve and decorate the house with. Or other vegetables to add to our Thanksgiving dinner recipes.
- BAKE HALLOWEEN-THEMED COOKIES
We can give them out to the neighborhood or public service workers who might also be working extra hours during the holiday season.
- CUDDLE UP IN BLANKETS
With the cooler weather, I am 110% all for doing this, while maybe watching a relaxing movie with my phone turned off to avoid any distractions from a relaxing experience.
- DONATE TO A FOOD BANK
I’m not at all experienced or too knowledgeable about this, but I would like to experience this someday.
- TAKE FALL-THEMED FAMILY PHOTOS
A lovely way to decorate the house is by printing at least one or two of these photos and hanging them up for the season. We can add more to the wall photos each year.
- GO ON A FOLIAGE DRIVE
I’ve done a foliage walk, and I really want to experience a foliage drive and see more of the beautiful Autumn leaves on the trees and ground.
- GET SPOOKED AT A HAUNTED HOUSE
After that one time that a wolf in the haunted house patted my back because I probably had tears rolling down my face, I don’t think I ever went back inside a haunted house. After over two decades, I think I’m willing to give it a try again.
- GET CREATIVE WITH FALL DIY CRAFTS
Pumpkins, rustic or wooden Thanksgiving decorations, Fall wreaths, etc. A great way to decorate the home for the season, or holiday.
- HOST A HALLOWEEN DINNER
I would really love to do this someday and obviously have the invitees arrive in costumes.
- ALLOW YOURSELF TO RELAX
We’ve done a lot at the beginning of the year, and we could definitely use this time to unwind, reflect, and enjoy some hot chocolate by the window or fireplace.
- COMPLETE A 30-DAY PHOTO CHALLENGE
In my opinion, Autumn creates the most beautiful aesthetics ever. The natural glows and sceneries are breathtaking.
Let's Chat!
What do you look forward to doing the most in Autumn?
