Whether it’s the endless activities available, cute date ideas or movies that romanticize the season, fall has a charm like no other. But shifting from summer to fall isn’t always easy. After all, it’s hard to transition from the long days and late nights to cooler temperatures, less sunlight, and more time spent indoors.
So, this begs the question: How can you transition from hot girl summer to cozy girl fall without losing your mind? To find out once and for all, I tapped Transformational Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, and Energy Healer Grace Emmons for her insight. Ahead, her top three tips for transitioning from hot girl summer to cozy girl fall, and how you can use them to make the switch seamlessly.
1. Streamline your morning and nighttime routine
According to Emmons, “The soft life is all about being in tune with your own natural rhythms.” Since our internal rhythms follow the patterns of the season, using nature as a guide can help you master the soft life. Case in point: Streamlining your morning and nighttime routine. To do this, Emmons recommends taking cues from the sun; let the shorter days be an invitation to end your day sooner. Going to bed earlier will make it easier for you to get up earlier. And this in turn will ensure you’re still getting enough vitamin D and are aligned with the rhythms of fall.
Thankfully, streamlining your morning and nighttime routine isn’t challenging. Ending your day earlier is the easiest way to do this; be more mindful of how late you’re eating dinner, when you’re actually logging off for the night, and so forth. The earlier you wrap up the day, the earlier you can go to sleep. Likewise, Emmonds also suggests dimming the lights in your home after sundown; this will prevent you from overriding your circadian rhythm.
2. Refocus your energy
I think we can all agree that summer is a chaotic season that’s filled with nonstop adventures and commitments. In contrast, fall is a slower season. It’s a time for cozying up indoors with a good book or Gilmore Girls rerun, or spending Sundays at the farmer’s market. According to Emmons, this is why it’s the perfect time to refocus your energy. Deciphering what your mind, body and soul needs is difficult when you’re busy AF, but you can now shift your attention inwards. This will help you give yourself the nourishment you really need.
Take some time to think about what you really need this season to feel your best. This might mean taking some things off your plate, exercising regularly, eating well, and so forth. “Say ‘no’ to what’s no longer serving you,” Emmons said. Whatever the case may be, refocusing your energy will get you on the right track so you can live the soft life this fall and beyond.
3. Edit your goals for the year
In the blink of an eye, another year has nearly passed us by. Because fall essentially marks the beginning of the end of the calendar year, Emmons suggests editing your goals for it. “Look back at your vision board or re-read the intentions you set at the start of the year,” she said. “Assess whether you’re on track and consider how you want to edit your goals based on where you’re at now and what will be most nourishing for you.”
That said, if you’re scared to do this, keep in mind that very few things in life go according to plan. Life happens, and when it does, things can go awry and you can get off track. But guess what? That’s OK. You have nothing to be ashamed of, and taking the time to edit your goals now will allow you to end the year strong.
Ultimately, Emmons says the final stretch of the year should not be an uphill battle. Rather, it should be “a harvesting of what’s already been planted.” Taking the time to edit your goals will let you refocus your energy towards what really matters. That way, you can have the stress-free, cozy girl fall you deserve.
Meet the Expert: Grace Emmons
Grace Emmons is a Transformational Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, Energy Healer, Founder of Topanga Canyon Oasis, and the CEO of Forward with Grace. Her backgrounds in bioengineering, psychology, and spirituality have informed her unique methodology to empower high-achievers to thrive in all areas of their lives by breaking free from toxic patterns. Her expertise has been trusted by over 150 leading companies, including Unilever, Revolve, LiquidIV, Dermalogica, SoulCycle, and Talkspace.