How to Set Yourself Up for Success This Fall

Are we the only ones who feel like summer suddenly came to an unexpected halt?

Before we knew it, fall came along, forcing us out of vacation mode and back into business. But just because you don't feel ready doesn't mean you can't set yourself up for success and be ready to take on your goals.  Here are some great ways to spice things up this fall with a brand-new boost of confidence and organization. 

Create a Daily Routine and To-Do List

This fall, learning to stick to a routine can do wonders for your productivity as well as your happiness. Whether you use the notes app on your phone or jot things down in a journal, try spending five minutes before bed to plan out what you need to do the next day. Make a bullet-pointed to-do list, prioritizing the most important tasks so you can work on those first.

Also remember that it's okay not to finish your entire to-do list every day. Sometimes, we can get a bit ambitious with our goals, and completing everything just won't be possible. Focus on working on what needs to get done, one step at a time, and take pride in each step you can check off your list. 

 

Meal Prep and Plan Out Your Weekly Groceries

Meal prepping might not be the simplest task, but it does help you set yourself up right for the whole week. Use resources like Instagram and Pinterest to find easy, delicious dishes you won't mind eating a few days in a row before you go grocery shopping, and seek out ways to incorporate leftovers into entirely new dishes. When you cook for three meals at once, you're essentially cutting down your future kitchen time in three.

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Also read about: The Best Apple-Flavored Snacks to Taste Test This Fall

 

Put Effort Into Self-Care and Plan a Morning and Nighttime Routine

We consider self-care products to be essential, but that doesn't have to mean spending a lot of money. Places like T.J.Maxx and Marshalls have shelves stocked with high-end goodies at discounted prices, so you can indulge yourself without having to spend what you might at a beauty store. Once you find the products of your dreams, see how you might be able to incorporate them into your morning and nighttime routines, whether you do the bare minimum or have an extensive, 12-step regimen. The more obsessed you are with your routine, thanks to your new favorite products, the more likely you'll be to stick with them. 

 

Go on Nature Walks

Sometimes, the best things in life are free. Nature is such a wonderful thing to enjoy that many may take it for granted. It's hard to get away from our favorite creators' content sometimes, but you'll never regret a nature walk. Life is stressful. Take a moment to enjoy the fresh air, by yourself or with a friend. I like to play inspiring and fun podcasts like Everything Goes by Emma Chamberlain and With Intention by Cami Sophia as I walk. 

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Spend Less Time on Your Phone 

This one is so hard and I struggle with it a lot. Putting your phone on Do Not Disturb and adding time limits to your apps are some great things to consider doing to keep yourself focused. Some of us may have that one person we never want to think about not texting all day, but we have to put our tasks first. They would probably do the same, right? I like to tell my friends I have some goals for the day that I need to get done and can talk to them later. Your friends should understand that you need to take time for yourself to become a better you!

 

Write a List of Goals You'd Like to Achieve

When you're not clear about what your goals are motivations are, it can be easy to start feeling a bit stuck. Grabbing a journal, sitting down by yourself and listing out your goals—big and small—and the steps you can take to achieve them can get you feeling empowered and inspired to get what you want out of life. Manifesting your dreams truly begins with knowing what your dreams are, and it's never too late to get started. 

(via Shutterstock)

 

Also read about: These Are the Halloween Amusement Park Events Happening in 2024

 

Be Mindful of Spending

With the holidays coming up, it's a time for mindful spending and saving up for the gifting season. Even if you're not ready to be thinking about the end of the year, take the time to plan a weekly or monthly budget, factoring in everything from your daily Starbucks run to your impulsive, TikTok-fueled beauty buys. Even something small, like learning the recipe to replicate your favorite seasonal coffee shop drink at home, can save you major bucks over the course of a month. 

 

Plan Outings With Friends and Family

Sometimes when we focus on caring for our own hearts and minds, we can forget the importance of spending time with the people who matter most. The busier we get, it actually becomes more and more critical to embrace the love of friends and family. Even small efforts, like a Facetime date or grabbing a pastry with a friend, can be an opportunity to connect, unwind and relieve stress about school, work and the overwhelms of everyday life. When you can't see your beloved family members in person, shoot them a quick text to check in and let them know you care. And when your schedule gets super packed, bring loved ones with you on errands or go through your routines together for a little company while you get things done. 

 

Make Your Room Your Personal Sanctuary

Your room is a place where you should feel comfortable and relaxed—one you should actually want to spend your time in. That's why every day, as soon as you get out of bed, you should make it nice and neat, setting the tone for the rest of the day. For the fall, we recommend looking for sales at Bath & Body Works and your local discount retailers for great candles, throw pillows and decor to give your room a touch of seasonal flair. Pinterest is another great source for decorating inspo all year round. 

 

The start of fall also means the beginning of Libra season, so click HERE to check out our bucket list of activities to do over the next month.