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I like to think about September as a delicate begin to fall. When the primary of the month hits, our cravings orient towards all issues cozy: blankets, socks, warm drinks, and activities to assist us take advantage of the transition indoors. However October? She’s fall in full bloom. By the point the month rolls round, the air is crisp, the leaves have turned, and the rhythm of each day life feels each steadier and cozier. In spite of everything, I’m so glad I stay in a world the place there are Octobers. Aren’t all of us?
October is the month for soup simmering on the range, candles burning in any respect hours, and sweaters pulled out of storage. It’s additionally when every part appears to hurry up—college in full swing, the vacations on the horizon—which is precisely why I really like making an intentional listing of issues to do in October. Consider it much less as a to-do, and extra as a delicate invitation to pause, savor, and absolutely expertise this season.
Featured picture from our interview with Sophie Collins by Christie Graham.
Small Reminders for an Inspiring October
That can assist you lean into October, we’re weaving in just a few extras this month—like a journal immediate for reflection, a favourite learn from our Substack, and considered one of our editors’ seasonal picks. Light reminders to decelerate, discover inspiration, and produce a little bit magnificence into the on a regular basis.
A delicate nudge: What’s one ritual you possibly can add to your October evenings that will make them really feel extra restorative?
From Respiration House: In “Why Some People Seem Lucky”, Camille unpacks how discernment, presence, and openness usually get mistaken for luck—and the way noticing the small, surprising moments can shift how we stay.
Editor’s Choose: “I couldn’t be extra excited for soups, chilis and casseroles this fall, and I can’t wait to get much more use out of my Dutch oven! I really like mine from Sur La Desk, it’s a workhorse that doesn’t break the financial institution. I additionally make home made bread in it each week—I’d be misplaced with out it!” – Kristen Garaffo, Design Editor
31 Issues to Do in October to Rejoice the Season
Forward, we’re sharing our favourite issues to do in October that can assist you stay this month to the fullest. Seize your favourite sweater and a mug of one thing heat—issues are about to get cozy.
October 1-5
1. Deal with your self to a comfortable fall candle. Is there a greater season for candles? We expect not. I’m at the moment obsessive about Voluspa’s Spiced Pumpkin Latte (it’s a step up from the essential, ubiquitous scent) and the Blonde Hinoki scent from P.F. Candle Co.
2. Do a fall pores and skin reset. Cooler climate requires further care. A fall skincare refresh doesn’t must be difficult—you’re 9 simple, however luxurious steps away out of your best-ever fall skin.
3. Transition your breakfast for fall. Ayurveda teaches us to lean into grounding, warming meals when temps drop. Attempt pumpkin overnight oats or a bowl of kitchari for a comfortable, nourishing begin.
4. Go apple choosing and whip up a batch of apple cider. Apple season peaks early, so make this a first-week precedence. When you’re house together with your haul, simmer a pot of home made cider on the range—your complete home will odor like fall.
5. Shock a neighbor with some baked items. Pumpkin spice cookies, apple crisp, or perhaps a batch of muffins—seasonal treats are such a candy option to unfold a little bit October pleasure.
October 6-12
6. Swap up your telephone and pc backgrounds. A small change that makes a giant distinction. Choose a picture that feels aligned with the way you need October to feel and look—or create a vision board on Canva that sparks pleasure everytime you open your laptop computer.
7. Deck out your entrance porch with fall decor. Pumpkins piled excessive are at all times a sure, however you don’t have to cease there. Layer in lanterns, mums, and a comfortable throw for an entryway that feels heat and seasonal with out attempting too laborious.
8. Begin a e book membership with your folks. Being cozy doesn’t must be a solo exercise. Collect your girlfriends, open a bottle of wine, and dive into considered one of fall’s most-anticipated books. Bonus: pair it with a seasonal grazing board.
9. Heat up your own home with some new fall throws. There’s nothing higher than curling up beneath a blanket when the temps dip. Goal (as at all times) has our favorite options.
10. Bake pumpkin bread (the greatest one). There are 1,000,000 recipes, however we examined till we discovered our perpetually favourite. Save Camille’s pumpkin loaf recipe—it’s a traditional you’ll come again to each October.
11. Host a chili cook-off. Our go-to? Sweet potato and black bean chili—vegetarian-friendly and at all times successful. Invite associates to convey their very own variations for an informal cook-off, and crown a winner on the finish of the evening.
12. Go for a fall hike with associates. Layer up, get exterior, and take within the leaves whereas they’re at their peak. Plan an early-morning path stroll with associates, and reward yourselves with cider and pastries afterward.
October 13-19
13. Prepare dinner a seasonal dinner. Let native produce information your menu. Assume cozy pasta dishes or a easy roast hen with fall veggies. For inspo, try our favourite fall sheet pan recipes—they’re good for market-to-table cooking.
14. Put money into a comfortable fall wardrobe. Assume staples you’ll attain for all season: cozy knits, a traditional trench, and boots that work for each errands and evenings out. Our fall capsule wardrobe is a good place to begin.
15. Practice for a 5K. Even if you happen to’re not a runner, signing up for a neighborhood race is such a enjoyable method to absorb the crisp fall air. Apps like Couch to 5K make the method really feel approachable (and dare we are saying… gratifying?).
16. DIY an unimaginable Halloween costume. Skip the last-minute scramble. Pull inspiration from our favorite Halloween costumes and get inventive with what you have already got in your closet.
17. Spend a weekend away at a cabin within the woods. There’s nothing dreamier than waking as much as fall foliage exterior your window. Whether or not it’s a tiny home just a few hours away or a cabin within the woods, a fast journey is the very best reset.
18. Go vintage purchasing. Spend a Saturday wandering native retailers with a fall drink in hand. You’ll virtually at all times go away with one thing surprising (and completely charming).
19. Have a fall film marathon. Pile on the blankets and work by your must-watch listing. If you happen to want inspiration, bookmark our listing of the best movies to stream this fall and begin checking them off.
October 20-26
20. Make s’mores at house. Who says you want a campfire? Layer graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows in a skillet and bake till bubbly. Bonus factors if you happen to combine in seasonal flavors—pumpkin spice chocolate, anybody?
21. Make a fall playlist. Some songs simply sound like autumn. For me, it’s Gregory Alan Isakov, José González, and Fleet Foxes. Press play everytime you need to really feel instantly cozy.
22. Take up a knitting or crochet venture. Few issues really feel extra satisfying than working together with your palms because the climate cools. Begin with a newbie equipment, be part of a neighborhood class, or just carve out time to make progress on a half-finished venture.
23. Have a weekly strolling date. It’s such a simple option to join with a pal whereas getting recent air. Preserve it easy: decide a neighborhood loop, convey a heat drink, and let the dialog unfold.
24. Plan a fall date. Swap dinner-and-a-movie for one thing seasonal. Attempt apple choosing, cooking collectively, or working by our listing of cozy fall date ideas.
25. Spend a complete morning studying. As an alternative of compressing in just a few pages earlier than mattress, block out a weekend morning only for books. Pair it with tea or espresso and let your self linger longer than common.
26. Tailgate at a soccer recreation. Bundle up, pack a cooler, and cheer in your favourite crew. Truthfully, the snacks may simply be the very best half.
October 27-31
27. Invite associates over for a bonfire. There’s nothing like a night across the fireplace with heat drinks and s’mores. Make it a potluck to maintain issues simple.
28. Make a fall-scented simmer pot. Fill your private home with the odor of autumn by simmering apples, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices on the range. It’s the only option to make a cold day really feel heat.
29. Do a puzzle evening. Collect your accomplice, household, or roommates for a night of puzzling. Placed on a fall playlist, pour mugs of cider, and let the sluggish rhythm of puzzling turn out to be its personal form of ritual.
30. Get forward on vacation playing cards. Earlier than the season will get too busy, order stationery and schedule a date for household photographs. Future you’ll be grateful for the top begin.
31. Carve pumpkins (and roast the seeds). Make an evening of it: carve pumpkins with associates, then season and toast the seeds within the oven. Salty, crunchy, and the proper Halloween snack.
This submit was final up to date on October 1, 2025, to incorporate new insights.
