Wow, oh wow– I cannot believe the season of Fall is just around the corner. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned in previous posts how this is my favorite season which means I want to make the most of it. To do so, I’m affirming my goals and creating a fall to-do list to help ensure I enter into this new season thankful and counting any and all blessings.

What is so funny about that last sentence is the part of “…enter into this new season…”. Seasons can extend beyond out geographical location. I believe there are seasons of marriage, life, adventure, and everything in between. And let’s be honest, not every season is our favorite *cough* (summer) *cough*.

As much as I love our upcoming environmental season, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t very scared of my upcoming season of life; which is one of great uncertainty.

For the first time in my life, attending school and furthering my education is not my next step. It’s time to apply my learned knowledge to real world setting and see what I am made of. Mom, is it too late to move back in? With my husband, of course.

All jokes aside, I’ll have a pretty large break before graduation during this much anticipated time of year so here is how I plan to make the best of it.

1. Start a Gratitude journal. I heard Amy from the Bobby Bones Show mention her new line of gratitude journals with shopEspwa and instantly knew this would be good move on my part. Basically, each day I will outline 4 things I am thankful for. And long story short, this is a practice I use with anxious thoughts and it really has the power to make a positive impact in my day.
2. A Gift A Week. I’ve really been working on the notion that I can listen without always feeling the need to volunteer my own words. I’m not even sure I conveyed that correctly but basically I am making an effort to be more present in daily conversation without anticipating the need for a reply on my part. In doing so, I am learning so much about those around me and well– everyone is going through their own tough season. And as the saying goes, “We rise by lifting others”. So, I want to pick one person each week to give a gift, big or small; it really doesn’t matter. The goal is to brighten their day without expecting anything in return.
3. Indulge in all of my favorite holiday treasures. And by treasures I mean food and hot apple cider. Oops. Hi, healthy lifestyle–I will miss you.
4. Volunteer. I wasn’t much of a volunteer type girl growing up. However, my undergraduate degree of Rehabilitation Science required it and I ended up loving the experience. Time and time again I left feeling like my emotional tank was on full in the best way possible. I 10/10 recommend volunteering whenever you can.
5. A Fall Home Makeover. But, keep it simple ya know? I don’t have a huge house and less is more but oh– how I love a touch of color here and there. Preferably mustard yellow, deep red, and burnt orange.
6. Invest in more books. I seriously just read the best book of my entire life and it has sparked my passion for leisure reading again and one cannot simply ignore their passion. I will hopefully have a little more time on my hands in about 6 weeks… which hopefully means more reading.
7. Start OR end my day outside. During the brunt of summer and winter, I find myself being so negative about the climate. I either hate being outside because it’s miserably hot or I hate being outside because I feel like a popsicle. I want to enjoy the comfortability of fall weather. This way, I -plot twist- look forward to being cuddled up inside during the brunt of winter. I’m not sure there is any hope for me during summer though.
8. Take a weekend getaway. Self care is important and so is new scenery. I can basically hear a cute town with homey spice shops and mom and pop diners that have gift stores out front calling my name. Especially as I stroll in wearing an oversized sweater and booties.
9. Be more present with my husband. Spoiler alert: being a full time student full of passion who obsesses of perfect grades is really hard when you also want to be a good wife. No studying (except for a national board that literally determines my ability to practice, el-oh-el). So, hubby: this one is for you. Ya know, when you aren’t catching criminals.
10. Experiment with baking. And then give it all away to friends and family so I don’t gain a ba-jillion pounds. For real though, I’m not just a great baker and I would like to be better. So, stay tuned on Instagram stories for all of the failed attempts and hopefully successful ones.

Happy Fall, y’all!