Once September 21st hits, every college girl wants fall to kick into full swing. Cool-weather, Halloween movies, PSLs, oversized sweaters, and pumpkin picking are all on the radar. But when it starts to get dark out earlier, schoolwork piles up, and midterms take over, fall can become a super stressful time of the year. For anyone like me who is a huge spring/summer fan, trudging through the fall, mourning sunny days, and warm weather can be even harder. Here are some of my favorite pick-me-ups and self-care ideas to cope with the fall slump!
- Roomie Movie Nights
Any day of the week can become so much more bearable when you have something to look forward to, like a movie night! Pick a day of the week when you, your roommates, and/or friends are not super busy in the evening. Set aside some time to get together, make popcorn, wear pajamas, and watch a cute rom-com, horror movie, or maybe a Disney Channel Halloween movie! Having a movie night always motivates my friends and I to finish our schoolwork earlier in the day and be more productive. I think weekly roomie movie nights are a perfect way to treat yourself and de-stress, especially during midterm season.
- An “Everything Shower”
If you have been on TikTok within the past year, I am sure you have seen hundreds of videos of people sharing their “Everything Shower” routines. There is no better feeling than spending a Saturday evening unplugging and indulging in your favorite beauty products. An “Everything Shower” can be as intense as you want it to be. I love to go all out: too many skincare products, face masks, teeth whitening strips, body scrubs, hair masks, and a perfectly curated playlist just for my “Everything Shower”. You can level it up for the fall with some pumpkin-scented scrubs, body wash, or candles to cultivate the perfect ambiance.
- Look good, feel good motif
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE wearing comfy clothes and am almost always showing up to class in sweats. But the power that a cute fall outfit holds is so immense. Waking up half an hour early to curl your hair, put on some makeup, and pick out the perfect outfit can make ALL the difference. I feel like I can conquer the world when I am walking to class in an outfit I feel confident in. Wear the jeans, wear the boots, wear whatever makes you feel good! You know you have those cute clothing items hanging in the corner of your closet… wear them! Even just once a week, find a day that you can set aside some extra time before class/work/etc. to enjoy getting ready and feel good about yourself.
- Vision Boards
Whenever I need a reset, I head to Pinterest and scroll through my vision board. Vision boards are a great way to align yourself with your dreams and aspirations whether it be an A on your next test or a brand trip to Paris. I love to throw everything that gives off the vibes I want to radiate in one board. One of my dreams is to live in New York City, so I have a BUNCH of NYC lifestyle pics, street-style looks, and even girls wearing sparkly dresses in the Eiffel Tower. Scrolling through these pics gets me excited for the future, and motivated to work hard and get closer to my dreams and goals. I am a sucker for Pinterest, but you can totally make a physical vision board by cutting out pictures from magazines or catalogs.
- Coffee + Social Media Cleanse
I saved these two for last because they are the most important in my opinion!!! Coffee is obviously a very popular pick-me-up, especially in the fall. Even though coffee can’t fix every problem, it is a great way to treat yourself after a long week or before a busy day of classes. On my busiest days, I try to wake up early and make time to grab coffee before my first class. Grabbing a pumpkin spice latte will boost your fall spirits and give you plenty of energy.
Along with making time to grab a sweet treat like coffee, set aside some time to go through your social media accounts. Unfollow any accounts that do not serve you, or provide content that makes you upset! As addicting as social media is, it can be so easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to other people and feeling anxious. You truly have the paper to control what media you consume. Surely, your social media feeds will become a much more positive space after removing any and all toxicity and negative energy!
Hopefully, these self-care ideas for autumn can help you get through the stress of midterms, gloomy fall days, or even just the Sunday scaries. It is so important to set aside some time for yourself every day, regardless of how busy you are!