How to Get into the Fall Mood (Despite the Warm Weather)

Junior Mia Lardizabal picks apples at the Royal Oak Farm Orchard in Harvard, Illinois. || Photo by Sarah Matzkin

It is already November, and since mid/late October, the climate hasn’t necessarily been giving fall energy. The temperature starts off cool in the morning but can be nearly 80 degrees by the afternoon. This odd pattern has left people asking: Where is the fall?

Here are some ways you can get into the fall mood if the weather is still making you wait, both inside and on the go.

Fall Things You Can Do at Home

Sitting at Home

Being on the couch, wearing sweatpants, a sweatshirt, and a blanket on a cold sunny fall day — there is something indescribably aesthetically pleasing and comfortable about this.

Watching Fall Movies

Seeing fall visually, like in a movie when red leaves are falling down around the characters on sidewalks, will get in your feelings and make you feel like it’s fall.

Raking Leaves

A chance to see the beauty of the leaves and possibly collect some for a scrapbook. A chance to see any intriguing decorations left from Halloween or in preparation for Thanksgiving that your neighbors may have up.

Creating Art

The majority of people probably hate it when they look out of their windows and have to see an atrocious pile of leaves on not only their neighbor’s lawn, but their own freshly raked lawn. You might as well lessen the pile and bring the leaves inside and take advantage of them. The perfect use of these leaves is in an arts-and-crafts project such as a scrapbook for long-lasting visually appealing memories. Plus, there’s always puzzles!

Reading

The eyes are windows to the soul, specifically when reading, and especially if you have a good imagination. So, jump into a book with your eyes like in “Mary Poppins” when Mary, Bert, Jane, and Michael jump into the sidewalk chalk art.

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

What better way to get into the fall mood than getting ready for the staple November holiday? From the smell of the freshly cooked turkey to the mouthwatering aroma of the just-baked pumpkin pie, it’s all great.

Eating and Drinking Common Fall Delicacies

Pumpkin spice lattes, baked pumpkin seeds, apples, pumpkin pie, apple cider, hot cocoa…getting all the desired and essential flavors all from one place, the kitchen. The typical fall flavors are pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, and chocolate. Who doesn’t love going “oooooh, ahhhhhh” when indulging in these wonderful treats?

Fall Things You Can Do on the Go

A Walk and Warm Beverage

Drinking something hot while in the chilly weather is pleasant on the taste buds between the chocolate, whip cream, etc., as well as the soul. Getting some exercise helps with the coziness from all that blood pumping.

Apple Picking

It’s calming and opens up the eyes, ears, and nose to take in the surroundings and be engaged by the colors and smells and sounds of fall.

Local Farmers Market

If you are in the mood for fall food because eyes figuratively are bigger than the stomach, seeing all the food on display can give you many options in your brain about what to make that’s fall-related to fit the season.

Visiting a Farm

The sun paints a golden
glaze on the grass, crops, and fruits, making you want to purchase something, and you can get that perfect picture for socials

In terms of fall, all of these things make you want to yell out, “Fantastic!”