It’s that short window of time we have before winter creeps in, so let’s make the most of it!
It may feel like Winter out there (it sure does here in Southern Ohio as I’m writing this!), but it’s still very much the Fall season. It always seems like these months are gone in a flash and then it’s bitter cold and Christmas time. By that time, it’s either impossible to get certain things done or at least very uncomfortable, haha!
So I wanted to write a post about how to make the most of fall so we can set ourselves up for success!
Finish Up Outdoor Projects
Soak up all the good weather while you can, friends! If you’ve been putting off some outdoor projects that you’ve had on your to-do list for a long time, now is a great time to fit things in that may be simple enough to wrap up before winter. Also, if they’re a little more complex, it’s a good time to plan those projects for spring time!
I’ve been sharing in my IG stories about my front porch project and I’m so thankful it’s done! I have put off waterproofing and sealing our front porch for years at this point, and this summer we finally grabbed the sealer and got started! That really is the hardest part, or buying the expensive sealer, haha!
The picture above is after the first coat on the bottom of the porch. You can tell it needed a second coat, but it’s still so much better than what it originally looked like!
Two 5 gallon drums, three paintbrushes, two small rollers, one large roller, making the mistake of buying a plastic paint pan to carry across the whole porch, and finally a metal paint pan later – the porch project was complete! It was an adventure, but I am so proud of it! I also painted the trim for our front door. It was already painted white when we bought this house, but it had so many chips in it and really needed repainted.
What a difference the second coat made! It brought back a lot of life to the boards. Sadly, some of the sections that get more of the weather are still on the lighter side, but at least I know they’re protected with the sealer!
By the way, I was being goofy about my plastic paint pan, but trust me, do not buy one of those, haha! My dad about died when he realized I bought a plastic one, but we suffered it out until the second coat that I did myself. Sorry, dad! It was literally going everywhere, no matter how careful I was.
Plus with a metal paint pan, you can clean it up and reuse it for future projects!
Declutter Your Summer Wardrobe
Another way to make the most of fall is to declutter! As you start putting away your summer clothes, this is a great time to get rid of anything you don’t really wear anymore.
I’ve purged so much clothing over the years by doing this! I’m already in my closet, looking through my clothes to sort between the seasons, so why not also get rid of the things I’m going to hang up BUT never wear? I hope this will be helpful to you too, if you haven’t tried this before!
Set Intentions
I’m not sure about you, but for me the winter months can be somewhat depressing. It’s cold, the roads can be icky to drive on, and oftentimes, there isn’t much sunshine.
What I’ve found to be really helpful is to set some intentions for those months! Something you can clearly focus on, and will motivate you until you can make it to springtime again.
Something I’ll be focusing on is maintaining (and fine-tuning) my exercise habit. I have a new reading goal I’d like to get a head start on, as well as an overwhelming closet project that I want to tackle.
I hope this post helps you make the most of the fall! Are there certain things you like to do this time of year?
Your porch looks lovely! I like the idea of decluttering as you go through and change your wardrobe for the seasons too. I definitely used to do that when I had a smaller wardrobe but after building my wardrobe room, everything is out year round so I find it even harder to part with things, haha! I’ve been focusing on buying less instead to offset how little I remove things from my wardrobe!
Hope you’re having a great day and enjoying the autumn season 🙂
Aww, thank you! Haha, that is very understandable Mica. 🙂 You have so many pretty things too and I feel like you actually wear probably most of your things, since you share how you wear an item so many times in blog posts, which I love!
Thank you so much, and I hope the very same for you friend! 🙂
I need to do some decluttering!!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
It’s so helpful, even though not always fun during the process, haha!
I really need to set a reading goal, I used to read so much more than I do now. I agree with you, now is the time to finish up any last minute projects that you want to get done before it becomes super cold! That’s why I hope to get the garage all cleaned out this month. 🙂 Oh, I usually layer a plastic paint pan over our metal one and then I just throw away the plastic ones when I’m done! Then the metal one under it kind of supports it, so it isn’t so floppy. Not sure if that makes sense!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I know it’s tough when you’re super busy though, but I hope you’ll be able to fit in more time to read soon. 🙂 You are doing fantastic on the garage, my friend! Oh my goodness, that is a game changer! I will definitely try that, it makes perfect sense. I wouldn’t have thought of that!
I love this post, Ashley! We’re definitely finishing up some outdoor projects and starting to prep the gardens, patio, and house in general for the fall/winter season. So much raking leaves, haha! 🙂
-Ashley
Aww, thank you friend! 🙂 That sounds great, glad you’re getting some of those things out of the way! Haha, the leaves are no fun to rake!
Very good post 😀
Thanks so much, Kinga! 😊
I love decluttering and your post just reminded me to do so. Thanks for sharing.
Annie,
Annies Food Diary
Aww, thanks for reading, Annie! ❤️
Aww I LOVE your wooden porch. Looks like the perfect spot for some reading or blow writing 🙂
Decluttering is always great, it has something meditative for me.
have a great day gorgeous,
Tiziana
http://www.tizianaolbrich.de
Thank you SO much, Tiziana! We are super lucky to have that space. I agree with you on decluttering, there’s something so peaceful about it. Hope you have the best day, my friend!
Thanks and keep sharing great content.
Diana
http://www.hijab-style.com
Aww, thank you so much Diana! I appreciate you!!
During Fall season I spent so much time outside and watch an amazing colors of nature around us. In this season nature is most beautiful. Every day I enjoy with books, candles, tea and warm blankets.
Oh, I love that my friend! It really is a gorgeous time of year, especially seeing all the colors change. So cozy!
Your porch is gorgeous – such a great amount of space! These are great ideas for utilising fall 🙂 x
mia // https://miasdiyprojects.com/
Thank you so much, Mia! Our cats love to go out there and they each have their own space on the porch, haha.
Wow the porch looks great! Good job! Yes I have done many of these things myself. Already did the wardrobe swap out but lordy it was warm here last weekend. My landlords used their air conditioner! This Saturday it is going up t0 75 but then back down to 49 over the evening but I am ready for summer to over lol.
Allie of
http://www.alliency.com
Thank you so much! Good for you on getting a lot of things done friend, and I totally understand about the weather. It’s unpredictable lately, haha! You can’t really plan for that easily.
I definitely need to do some decluttering. Thanks for the reminder.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Aww, thanks for reading, Lovely! Hope you’re having a wonderful day!
Your porch looks amazing my friend! What a big job that was. I love your idea of setting intentions. I need to eat healthier. Would love to stick to that. Thanks for all the inspiration!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you tons, my dear friend!! I am right there with you, it is so hard when it comes to the holidays. I am currently stuffing my face with pie, ha ha!
Thanks for sharing this! Fall is definitely one of my favorite seasons and I think setting intentions is a great way to prepare for the transition.
https://www.mariannyc.com/24-hours-in-the-catskills/
Thank you for reading, my friend! It is a beautiful time, and I agree with you! ❤️
i enjoyed all the photos that you posted and i love reading your blog. 🙂
JULIE ANN LOZADA BLOG
INSTAGRAM: @julieann_lozada
Aww, thanks Julie!! 🙂 That is so kind of you!
”Declutter your summer wardrobe” ! YASSS, the famous ”fall cleanse” haha
Unfortunately, living in Europe we don’t have a lot of storage space so this step is a must if you don’t want to overwhelm your closet (and your life). Plus, every year I need to pack my summer clothes and unpack my winter ones. I’m hoping one day to have a massive walk-in closet so I don’t have to deal with this every again.
One day, one day…. 🙂
Haha, that’s a great way to put it! Love that! Oh I imagine that would be so difficult at times, but good for you on trying to keep things as organized as possible. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you get that big walk-in closet someday!! 🙂
Your porch looks great! I always purge some of my summer clothes before I put them away for the season. I need to be better about setting intentions. Thank you for the reminder!
Happy Thanksgiving Ashley!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you so much, Jill! That is awesome, I’m sure it’s so helpful and it makes room for new clothes too that you fall in love with! I have no doubt you’ll do amazing with those intentions, my friend! Hope you and your sweet family had the best Thanksgiving!!
I love autumn season and decorations <3
Yes, me too, Kinga! 😊
There is definitely always something to do. I’ve been really into re-decorating recently and am already Christmas shopping. So fun!
http://www.fashionradi.com
Oh, that sounds so fun and good for you on getting ahead on Christmas shopping, Radi!!
Thanks for sharing this! Your porch looks wonderful. I love your idea of putting intentions. Thanks for all the motivation!
Aww, thank you so much for reading and your kind words! 🙂