Things To Do In Fall By Yourself
This blog post contains a list of things to do in fall by yourself. The fall season is one of my favorite times of year and as an introvert I love finding activities that I can do myself. While I also enjoy doing activities with other people, there is something about a solo stroll amongst the autumn-colored landscape, sitting in a cozy coffee shop reading a book by myself, and even the comfort of doing a good fall cleaning in my home that I enjoy.
Even though I enjoy solo activities, sometimes it’s hard to be out and about doing fall things (or anything) alone while there are groups of friends, family, and significant others enjoying themselves all around me. Sometimes, it can seem lonely.
I currently live in a city where people are always gathering together and socializing, and it’s in my face all the time. I often have feelings of missing out (FOMO) even though I have family and significant others around that I spend a lot of time with!
Because I enjoy my alone time, I have mastered the art of being out and about by myself and doing so in ways that make me FEEL GOOD and less likely to feel lonely or experience FOMO.
Continue reading for a list of things you can do in fall by yourself so you can enjoy the season even when you are by yourself, living alone, or just want to spend some time to yourself. I also added in some helpful hints to help you make the most of your quality alone time.
Fall Activities Checklist
For your convenience, I created this handy checklist that you can print out and check off! These activities come straight from my own list of things to do that I use and update every year.
Introvert Tips And Doing Things By Yourself
If you are introverted and sensitive to other people’s energy and get distracted easily (like me), here are some some tips for navigating social spaces by yourself and enjoying your alone time (whether at home or outside the home):
- Go when it is less busy. Find certain days, times, and areas that are typically less busy and crowded where you can optimize your alone time. Sometimes this takes a bit of experimentation to find these spot and times, especially if you live in a big city. But they do exist!
- It’s okay to leave. If you find yourself at a place alone and are too distracted, it is perfectly okay to leave and try again another time or go somewhere else. I have done this many times and always feel immensely better to have left a place that I was uncomfortable in.
- Plan your alone time. Doing some of the activities by yourself may take some planning if you live with other people. Some can be done while others are around and you can also simply invite others to do them with you. However, if you truly want some alone time to do these activities, plan ahead of time and pick optimal times when you can be by yourself.
- Create rituals. When doing things by yourself at home, set the mood and vibe. It’s fun to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Creating a ritual of setting up your environment before each activity can help set the mood to get inspired for the activity.
With these tips in mind, here is a list of fall things you can do by yourself!
Outdoor Fall Activities
Go on a fall hike
Pick a hiking location near your area and go on a scenic fall hike. Enjoy the turning of the leaves and the crisper weather. Hiking trails are some of my favorite spots to get some quiet and solitude. Even when there are other people around, we are all there for the same purpose and people usually respect the quietness and wonderment of nature.
Stroll around your neighborhood, city, or town.
There’s nothing better than exploring your neighborhood, city or town in new ways and this is one of my favorite things to do any time of year! In autumn, everything also looks different and more romantic. I love going on different routes and finding new things within my neighborhood that I hadn’t noticed before.
Go on a fall photo shoot
Plan a fall photoshoot day and head out with your camera or use your smartphone camera and take pictures and videos of the fall scenery such as the colored trees and leaves, the leaves on ground, your fall outfit, other people’s outfits, and different fall décor that you find around your town and neighborhood. With those pictures, create a mood board (see below), print them out and post them where you will see them, or use an image as your phone or desktop wallpaper.
Go on a bike ride
A gentle bike ride around town helps to explore your area from a new perspective. It is similar to exploring your neighborhood by foot, finding different things and scenery in a new way that you might’ve not noticed before.
Visit a pumpkin patch
What says the fall time more than a pumpkin patch? Many pumpkin patches have events during the weekend, so if you want to go during less busy times, then a weekday or evening might be your best option. If you do not live near a pumpkin patch, search the internet and you might be able to find a true pumpkin patch near you or one that is just a short scenic drive from you. Otherwise a pop-up pumpkin patch works as well. Find one a more pumpkins to bring to decorate your home.
Have a fall picnic
Find your favorite picnic area, bring a large blanket, pack a picnic basket with a lunch or snacks, and have yourself a picnic! Being outdoors, lounging on a large blanket on the grass, a cozy sweater on, and gazing at the scenery is one of my favorite ways to spend some quality alone time. Bring a book to read and/or a journal to write in. Spend a couple hours there and I guarantee you will feel a sense of renewal!
Places To Go In Fall
A cozy coffee shop
Coffee shops are great way to get out of the home. Find the coziest and inviting coffee shop near you. Come geared with a good book, your journal, or your laptop. Obtain your favorite warm fall drink. Sip and sit for awhile and enjoy the vibe!
Go to the flower market and pick up a fall bouquet
Visit your local flower market and pick up a fall bouquet. If there is not one near you, then go to the local florist or grocery store which usually have a floral department. Seasonal flowers, fall foliage/elements, and plants are a great addition to your home for fall.
Go to your local flea market or vintage shopping.
I enjoy shopping by myself and during the fall time I especially like exploring a flea market or vintage shops. Find where your local flea market and vintage shop locations are in your area. Go to just browse or pick up something that strikes your fancy.
Go to the movie theater
Seeing a movie by myself is one of my favorite things to do! There is nothing better than choosing that seasonal rom-com, independent movie, or whatever you enjoy. To me it is very therapeutic to sit in a cool, dark theater, favorite snacks in hand, and enjoy a movie of my choosing. Movie theaters are usually really quiet so it is a great way to get away for a couple hours by yourself. I prefer to go during the day on a weekday when it tends to be less busy.
Go to the farmer’s market.
Go to your local farmer’s market or maybe one at a nearby town for a change of scenery. Take your time and browse around, pick up some seasonal produce (such as butternut squash and pumpkin). Bring a list of produce needed for a seasonal recipe (see below). After, grab some lunch or a snack from one of the local food vendors.
Take a road trip or weekend getaway
There is a certain freedom and relief associated with getting out of town for a bit. Autumn is my favorite time to go on a solo personal retreat when the summer crowds are gone and the weather is still warm enough with a crisper bite that invites coziness. The length of time is up to you and your budget. The goal is to go to a new place, relax, and enjoy the changing of the season. Click here for some tips and benefits on taking a personal retreat.
Cozy Fall Activities At Home
Light candles
One of the most celebrated things to do in fall is to start lighting some cozy scented candles. Although I wouldn’t constitute it much as an actual activity and more of a ritual, it is a great way to set the mood for the season and cozy nights. My favorite fall scents are vanilla, pumpkin, and coffee.
Watch fall movies.
What is a fall list without a night (or multiple nights) of watching your favorite fall movies or television shows? Some of my favorites are: Practical Magic, You’ve Got Mail, The Craft, an Edgar Allan Poe night, Harry Potter, Twilight Series, and Gilmore Girls.
Read a fall book.
For some reason, the fall time makes reading more cozy and romantic. Some of my favorite of all time fall reads and authors are: Edgar Allen Poe poetry and short stories; “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau; and “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley. But I am always looking for other books to read as well.
Make a fall playlist
Last year I created a fall playlist on Spotify with songs to get me in the mood. I love playing it when I get home from my day, while I’m cooking dinner, or just hanging out. Create your own playlist by adding fall-inspired songs that feel good. Keep adding songs year over year!
Bake a pie
Search some recipes and bake a seasonal pie. Have it for yourself or make it for friends and family or bring to a holiday celebration. The sweet and comforting aromas of a freshly baked apple or pumpkin pie is so nostalgic. They are a lovely treat to have for the fall. I love baking, so this is enjoyable for me to do from scratch. A homemade pie is the best!
Cook a new fall recipe for dinner
I’m not much of a chef myself, but I love experimenting with new recipes, especially in the fall. Preparing and cooking meals in the evening helps me to relax, be present, and decompress. Plan the meal and gather ingredients ahead of time. Perhaps take a trip to the farmer’s market (see above) to pick up fresh produce in the recipe. Set a ritual around cooking by creating a relaxing environment and change into cozy sweats, light some candles, and put on some fall music. Some of my favorite cozy fall meal ideas are: vegetarian chili, pumpkin soup, and butternut squash soup).
Self-Care Fall Activities
Have a fall self-care night (or morning or day)
There is nothing more comforting than a fall self-care routine. The goal is to seek comfort and relax. Set yourself up beforehand by ensuring you have all the proper essentials in place. Visit this blog post for some ideas: “Self-Care Essentials for Fall.” Next, ensure you set aside some quality time for yourself where will be alone. If you can, get home early from work or school for a full evening of self-care!
Change up your morning routine
Having a morning routine is important as well as changing it up from time to time. I find that when the season transitions from late summer to fall I like to also change up my morning routine.
Create a fall mood board
Creating a mood board is a fun activity to help you embody the aesthetic and vibe you would like for the fall season. The idea is to search for images, words, and quotes and put them altogether into one place to help you capture the feeling you are looking for. Some platforms you can create a mood board on are Pinterest, Canva, a Word document, or even a physical board. Use whichever you feel comfortable with and get searching and creating! Refer to your mood board often for inspiration throughout the season! Below is the fall mood board I created in Canva! I also have Pinterest board that I continue to add to. You can view it here: Fall Inspiration.
Update your fall wardrobe
I live in a warmer climate, so I generally like to start my transition from summer to fall in a “boho” style and then gradually work my way into warmer clothing like sweaters and tights. To update your fall wardrobe, look for ideas and inspiration on Pinterest, online, and vintage shopping (see above). Some implementation ideas are fall colored accessories, purses, tights, sweaters, and fall “boho” style. If you are on a budget, add just one new item to your current fall wardrobe. Go to a thrift store or whatever you have a budget for. Even just one new piece or accessory can make a difference and feels good!
Start planning your goals for the new year
I generally like to begin my new year goal planning in October so I can reflect on what I did the past year, where I am currently at, what I need or want to do to finish the year off strong, and how I want to begin the new year. That way, I am ahead of the game when the new year comes in. Make a day of it and set a cozy ritual for the activity by setting aside some alone time, lighting candles, have a warm beverage in hand, gather your journals and books, and cozy up with a warm blanket. For goal-setting tips, read this article: “Goal-Setting Methods That Work!”
Creative Fall Activities
Carve a pumpkin
One of the great joys of the season is carving a pumpkin! This could be done indoors or outdoors and is a fun activity even by yourself! Things you will need: newspaper or cardboard to protect your surfaces, carving tools, a marker, a tea light, and your pumpkin (perhaps the one you got at the pumpkin patch!). Draw your design and start carving away! When finished put a tea light candle inside. I like to place my carved pumpkin inside on my table and light it up at night for a cool halloween vibe.
DIY your Halloween costume
Truthfully, I don’t always dress up for Halloween and it just depends on what I have going on each year. But when I do, I love planning and DIY’ing my outfit. For inspiration, browse online and Pinterest boards for some ideas.
Take up knitting or crocheting
Fall is the perfect season to learn a new craft such as knitting, crochet or other craft project. When I used to live in a cooler climate, I decided to learn how to crochet and found that I really enjoyed it. Crocheting in a cozy coffee shop, in my living room, or even with a friend, felt really comforting and fun! On top of it, there was a sense of accomplishment from finishing a project from my new hobby.
Other At Home Fall Activities
Decorate for fall / halloween
Make it a whole day event. Take out all the décor that you currently have from storage. Plan ahead and browse Pinterest and online for some inspiration. Search for décor at your local flea market and vintage stores (see above). If on a budget, you can even find some items at the Dollar Tree! Clean your home ahead of time so it is ready for the fall implementations. Next, set the ritual to create the mood to be inspired to decorate! Put on your fall music playlist, make a warm coffee or tea (or go get that seasonal pumpkin spice latte), light some candles, and start decorating! Some examples of fall decor to add include: pumpkins and gourds, candles, mood lighting, pillows, blankets, fall flowers, and more.
Do a fall “spring” cleaning
Delve into some deep cleaning this season, spruce up your space, and prepare it for fall decor and cozy vibes! I actually enjoy doing a fall deep cleaning more than a spring cleaning. Maybe it’s because of the feelings of nostalgia of the season, but nevertheless, I always enjoy having a clean environment that brings me peace, comfort and coziness.
Rake leaves
If you live where there are many trees and leaves, either you like the falling leaves or you don’t. I’ve lived in places where there were leaves around my home and places where there weren’t. When I do, I love to grab a rake and head outside to do some raking. To me it feels energizing and there’s a certain zen with being amongst the leaves. Plus it gives provides some outside movement and activity. Afterwards, I like to take a cozy shower and cuddle up with a candle, cozy throw, and read book or watch a movie.
Make a fall-themed coffee station
Create a coffee station in your home by setting up a small corner for your coffee maker and supplies. Take out your fall mugs, add in a bit of décor (i.e.: small pumpkins, candles, or an inspiring sign), and gather ingredients you regularly use such as sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and pumpkin spices.
In Summary
Whether you are by yourself this fall or just want to spend some time away for some much-needed alone time and self-care, you can enjoy the season when by yourself with any of these activities. They are also great ways to spend time with friends and family as well!
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