One of the best things about fall is the wardrobe: the ripped denim, flannel shackets (for those of you who are unfamiliar, they are shirt-jackets), cozy crew socks, ankle boots, and the warm color palette I feel my best in!

I also feel like my fashion sense just gets a boost because there are so many more options for layering or pairing sweaters with different types of pants, as opposed to figuring out what to wear with the same Levi jean shorts I've worn all summer long. 

Fall Outings

I'd like to still think that a lot of fall happenings will resume this season since the majority of activities are outside like pumpkin picking, apple picking, Oktoberfest, haunted mazes, and farmers markets. No matter what's going on, I think fall walks are my favorite and my family and I love taking Cooper to our nearby nature preserve on the weekends for new scenery and a glimpse of just some of the changing leaves that Illinois gets at the beginning of October. That and bonfires are a must-have. 

A Shift in Focus

What I would have labeled as "letting go" has made me realize that even as much as the leaves change, fall, and die off, there's something beautiful about the way this season brings out things we don't normally notice when the greenery takes over during the summer months. My mom and I actually just discovered a couple of foxes that live in our neighborhood and nest in the brush behind my house, but during the summer we never really could tell where they were coming from. 

Much like the exposure of new natural beauties, I find that fall allows us to focus a bit more internally as summer was all about external interaction and socialization, for me at least. Whether it be working on how I manage my time more efficiently to align with my creative goals or push myself harder to continue to stay motivated during these shorter and darker days. In addition, focusing on my personal growth and leaning on the strong relationships I have with the people I love and care about the most. As we get into the holiday months, which can sometimes be isolating for some, I want to stay grounded and uplifted by the people who support me—falling into focus on what matters the most. 

This time of year is when I would normally be hashing out papers or getting a jump on school projects, but now that I am working full-time where I'm not jumping from topic to topic or class to class, I've found it important for me to center my focus on daily tasks, hitting those deadlines, but also making time for myself to protect my much needed me-time. 

For those who know me, I always have to be productive otherwise I get bored twiddling my thumbs and waiting for the next assignment. However, there are going to be many times in my life when I don't have that necessary time for me to recharge. Even working from home has made me feel guilty for stepping away from my screen just to walk my dog. Not prioritizing the time I would have had during my daily commute to decompress, listen to music, or just take a walk is going to result in burnout and we don't want that. So, here are some things I do to decompress after a long day!