Molly Tilton's Guide to Fall

Molly Tilton's Official Guide to Enjoying Fall Properly.

People make fall far more complicated than it needs to be.
Every year they start making lists, buying decorations, and trying to schedule enough autumn activities to require a committee meeting.
Meanwhile, the trees have been handling fall perfectly well without any planning at all.
Here is my advice.

1. Open a window.
   Not all the windows. Just one.
   A pleasant breeze is autumn.
   Chasing papers across the house is weather.
2.  Go for a walk with no destination.
   Do not count steps.
   Do not track calories.
   Do not turn it into a personal achievement.
   Just walk.
   Look at the trees.
   Kick a leaf if one presents itself appropriately.
   Return home having accomplished absolutely nothing.
   This is called relaxation.
3. Make something smell good.
   A pie.
   A loaf of bread.
   A pot of soup.
   A candle.
   A cup of tea.
   Fall should occasionally smell like somebody is glad to be home.                        4. Revisit an old favorite.
   Watch a movie you've already seen.
   Read a book you've already read.
   Listen to music you've loved for years.
   Not everything worthwhile has to be new.
   The leaves manage the same performance every year and people still show up for it.
   5. Leave one evening completely unscheduled.
   This is important.
   Sit on the porch.
   Read a chapter.
   Watch the sun go down.
   Look out a window.
   Do absolutely nothing useful.
   The best parts of fall rarely arrive with a reservation.
   6. Eat seasonal things.
   Apples.
   Chili.
   Fresh bread.
   Cookies.
   Pumpkin, if you enjoy pumpkin.
   If you do not enjoy pumpkin, there is no need to discuss it further.
   7. Wear the sweater.
   Not because it is fashionable.
   Because it is your favorite.
   There is a difference.
   8. Pay attention.
   Notice the color of the trees.
   The smell after a cool rain.
   The first cold morning.
   The way afternoon sunlight changes this time of year.
   These things do not last very long.
   That is part of what makes them special.
   9. Stop waiting for the perfect fall day.
   Many people spend September waiting for October.
   Then they spend October waiting for peak color.
   Then they spend November wondering where fall went.
   Today counts.
   Even if the leaves are not perfect.
   Even if the weather is strange.
   Even if life is a little messy.
   10. Keep good company.
   Invite a friend over.
   Call someone you miss.
   Play cards.
   Share a meal.
   Laugh about something ridiculous.
   Use your judgment.                                       And finally...
   If you find yourself sitting somewhere comfortable, holding a warm drink, watching leaves drift through the air while thinking about absolutely nothing important...
   Congratulations.
   You are doing fall correctly.                              — Molly Tilton 🍂🐐