Fall has always felt like a second New Year to me. The mornings start to get that crisp edge, the light softens in a way that makes everything feel cozier, and the shift from summer’s loose, go-with-the-flow days back into a bit of structure makes me want to hit “reset.”

But here’s the honest truth: as much as I love the idea of creating grounding routines, I’ve definitely had seasons where I overthought it all, put it off, and then… never actually followed through.

This year, I want it to be different. I’m choosing to be intentional about how we step into fall, and I’m keeping it super simple. I’m focusing on just two things: a daily Self-Care Rhythm for me and a Memory Making Moments for our family.

And because I know how easy it is to have the best intentions but still feel unsure about what really matters most (and then do nothing), I made a little Fall Reset Planner worksheet to help map it all out. You can grab it for free [here].

1. Choosing my Self-Care Rhythm

LMK if this is relatable: I know I should prioritize self-care, but when I already have 1,000 things on my plate, adding something else (me!) to the list can feel counterproductive.

Here’s the thing–I usually know what would be ideal for me to do. But if it’s not built into a rhythm, the need to find the time and decide when and how to do it every day is exactly where it falls apart.

The shift came towards consistency for me when I made a plan to build a small but meaningful habit—without turning it into another expectation I could fail at. I stopped planning what I should do every day and instead started tracking what I actually did. That small mindset shift completely changed the game for me.

The way I successfully built movement into my everyday was by using the Sanity Saving System for self-care habit building that I shared in my [Sanity Saving Systems Series]. Instead of adding more pressure, it gave me a way to celebrate wins and create habits that stuck.

Now that I’ve built that foundation (and movement is finally part of my every day—yay for celebrating wins!), I feel ready to layer on some new rhythms that support my longevity and wellness. These aren’t things I’m forcing myself to start from scratch—they’re the things I already wish I was doing and know would be ideal, but that haven’t been built into my day yet.

• The sauna: I’m lucky enough to have an infrared sauna, and I love it—but I rarely use it because it’s not built into my day. My plan is to step in right after the kids are out the door (or when I get back from school drop-off). Just 15 minutes. While I’m in there, I’m going to read my book. Hello, habit stacking.
  
  
• The tea ritual: I’ve idealized being a tea drinker for literal decades. (Anyone else?) I love coffee, but I want to start a new rhythm: having afternoon tea when the kids get home from school. Instead of busying myself with the kitchen while they have their snack, I’m going to sit down with them, reconnect, and sip tea.
  
  
• The vitamins: I know the supplements that support my specific health concerns and longevity goals. I even buy the high-quality ones. But I only take them about 50% of the time. This fall, I’m making it a rhythm: take them with breakfast every single morning.
  
  

These aren’t big, dramatic changes. They’re small shifts I can weave into the flow of my days, and they feel realistic for this season of life.

If you want to create your own Self-Care Rhythm, here are the prompts from the Fall Reset Planner that helped me:

• List 1–3 things you wish you were doing regularly that you know would help you feel more grounded.
  
  
• When does it realistically fit best (morning, nap time, bedtime)?
  
  
• What do you need to make it happen (space, supplies, accountability)?
  
  
  

2. Memory-making moments

I know all too well that this season of life with little kids is going to feel short. One day I’ll look back on it and reminisce about the snack crumbs on the floor, the tiny shoes by the door, and the constant noise in the house. I already know I’m going to miss it.

That’s why I want to make sure I’m being intentional while I’m still in this sweet season—to really soak it up, have fun, and make memories together. Not just keep the ships sailing smoothly.

But I also know how easy it is to overdo it, especially in fall when there are so many seasonal activities. The pumpkin patches! The crafts! The hayrides! It can get overwhelming, and suddenly your calendar is packed and you’re more stressed than joyful.

So this year, I’m focusing on a handful of Memory-Making Moments that feel special to our family and realistic for our life right now. I like to think of them in two categories:

• One-off experiences: Things we’ll do once or twice this season
  
  
• Rhythms: Small, repeatable things that keep us connected week to week
  
  

Here’s what’s on our list:

One-offs: 

• Pumpkin patch 
• Apple picking 
• Hike in the fall colors 
• Making soap and beeswax candles for our family 
• Going on color hunts in the neighborhood and collecting leaves to press 

Rhythms: 

• Baking at least once a week with the kids: pumpkin muffins, zuchini bread, sourdough cinnamon rolls. 
• A fall craft once a week 
• Library once a week for fresh books 
• Listening to my gnomecore playlist in the kitchen daily
• Everyone shares one thing they are grateful for at the dinner table 
• Family game night + soup/stew night once a week
  
  

The Fall Reset Planner helped me narrow it down:

• What 3–5 activities would make this fall feel meaningful for our family?
  
  
• Do we want them to be simple weekly rituals (like soup Sundays) or one-off traditions (like the pumpkin patch)?
  
  
• What do we need to prepare ahead to make them happen?
  
  

3. It doesn’t have to be complicated

These two small systems—the Self-Care Rhythm and the Memory Making Moments—are already helping me slow down and notice the good things. They also work beautifully alongside the other simple systems I’ve shared in my [Sanity Saving Systems Series].

If you want to create your own self-care rhythm and tradition tracker for fall, you can download my Fall Reset Planner [here]. It’s just a one-page guide with prompts to help you map out what matters most to you this season.

Because this time of year goes fast, and I want to be able to look back and feel like I really lived it—not just got through it.

Here’s to a fall that feels more intentional, a little slower, and full of the traditions and routines that truly matter.

➡️ Check out my super simple Fall Reset Planner Template and start planning your Self Care Rhythm + Memory-Making Moments today.

➡️ If you haven’t already, sign up to get our 5-day Sanity-Saving Systems email series.