When the leaves start to change and the weather finally starts to get chillier, I crave cozy. With school usually in full swing during this time of year, I do not usually get the time to cuddle into a couch with a hot tea in one hand and a remote in the other, seeking a seasonal comfort movie. This fall, like the leaves, I intend to make a change. I want to prioritize cozy.
If you are anything like me, school or work takes up every bit of your free time. After my freshman year, I learned that working on and finishing assignments earlier opened up my weekends. Even with my weekends freer, I still seldom let myself relax. If you, too, need to better implement cozy into a hectic schedule, here are some suggestions based on how I am planning to embrace this autumn season.
- Watch a fall movie
Since I have no classes on Fridays, I try to watch at least one fall movie. If you are curious, my favorite fall watches are “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “Practical Magic.” I have an overflowing collection of fall movie suggestions on TikTok outside of the typical fall favorites that I would like to try and watch! Taking the time to enjoy a good movie, even if it is just playing in the background while I work on assignments, has helped me to get more into the spirit of things. Watching a good movie every Friday has helped me unwind from long, stressful school weeks.
- Make fall plans with friends
Another way to embrace the season can be by making plans to look forward to! My friends and I are always busy this time of year, but partaking in fall-themed activities is a great way to have fun with friends or loved ones when schedules align. My best friend and I plan to get spooked at a haunted house later this month. I also made plans to visit a local pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin with my boyfriend. I hope some of these plans turn into traditions that I can look forward to next year. I highly recommend taking a look at your schedule to plan at least one fall-themed activity with a friend.
- Attempt new fall recipes
My boyfriend is an amazing cook, and I am absolutely helpless in the kitchen. Although I might not be able to do much cooking or baking, I have another huge collection of TikToks dedicated to fall-themed foods I want to try. This is a great activity for couples or roommates to actually try the TikTok recipes you do not usually revisit. If you are enveloped in the sweet, spicy smell of fall-themed homemade foods while watching a fall-themed movie, can you really get any more cozy?
For those wanting extra cozy points … try lighting a fall-scented candle, wrapping yourself up in a pumpkin-decorated throw blanket and filling a mug with hot tea. To enjoy this season to the max, I also plan to lean into nostalgia by watching classic childhood movies and TV show episodes while eating Halloween candy.
Whether this is the first fall or the last fall of your college career, you need to learn to enjoy it. When motivation drops like the temperature outside, it is important that we allow ourselves to embrace the whimsy, the fun and the cozy. Let us prioritize ourselves this season by making memories, traditions and fall-themed foods that welcome this season of change.