Fall is a season of coziness and comfort. When I hear the word fall, it immediately conjures up heart-warming mental images of yellow and crimson colored leaves, oversized sweaters, morning walks surrounded by fresh, crispy air, and steaming pots of hot beverages consumed while being bundled up in a warm blanket on a porch somewhere.
Sure, these may be the Pinterest version of real-life fall and most of us don’t live in a permanent harvest fest-like, pumpkin-filled city like the Gilmore Girls, but that doesn’t mean we cannot use these mental prompts to fill our life with beautiful experiences. No matter how you do it, fall is a transient season for nature and for us as well. It is the season of slowing down, retreating, taking a deep breath. Find the things that help you fill these days with mindfulness and self-care.
Here are a few of my slow and sustainable fall essentials.
Photo credits (l-r): Own image, Irish Tweed Store, Slow Roads, Babaa, Menu, Andyourstories
Loose-leaf sencha tea
My daily tea ritual is my favorite wellness habit in the cold season. It’s a great exercise in slow living (here’s why), and I also secretly hope that a daily cup of green tea packed with antioxidants will undo all those, let’s say, not so healthy bad habits of my twenties. I’m all about sencha varieties at the moment, but Genmaicha and Milk Oolong will also be forever favorites. And loose leaf over tea bags, of course, that’s not even a question.
Wool socks
For anyone with chronically cold feet, a pair of wool socks is a must-have. I have a few from this Etsy shop – they are 100 % wool made in Donegal, Ireland, an area famous for manufacturing wool socks for centuries. And warm and thick they are, they still fit into my cozy Amsterdam Birkenstocks that I wear at home from October to April.
Feel-good routines
If the recent lockdowns had any wellness lessons is that we need to get better at finding simple joys in everyday things. Feel-good routines are about creating simple rituals that ease mental stress and deliver a moment of calm and happiness even on a bleak day. It can be anything from indulging in quality chocolate, donning fresh bedding, curling up in a soft blanket, taking a long bath to breathing exercises, taking mental breaks, or doing a social media detox.
Hyaluronic acid serums
Fall/winter skincare is all about hydration – and hyaluronic acid is the MVP in that game as it attracts water molecules like a magnet and thus hydrates the skin like no other ingredient. I currently have two HA serums on rotation: a plant based 3% Hyaluronic Acid + 2% B5 serum by sustainable natural beauty brand Typology and the Hyaluronic acid natural monoserum by a Hungarian, natural and minimalist beauty brand, almost 1.618.
Vintage cashmere sweater
Cashmere is my favorite fabric for fall – it’s lightweight, incredibly soft, warm, breathable, and versatile (more benefits here). If well cared for, cashmere can last a lifetime. High-quality cashmere is not the cheapest thing though, so I advise going vintage if you can. Because cashmere is so timeless and durable, it’s not difficult to find vintage cashmere items of pristine condition. Especially, as opposed to contemporary fast fashion and high street cashmere items, vintage cashmere was made from better quality, finer fibers that don’t pill as much. Plus, as always, it’s the superior choice with regards to sustainability. For some vintage shopping tips, here’s this guide.
Pumpkin spiced soy candle
The pumpkin spice crazy may be a cliche for fall, but who cares when it’s sooo good. My favorite is a pumpkin pie scented soy wax candle by a local Hungarian small business – I’m sure you can find something similar in your city as well.
Chrysanthemum blossoms and colorful pumpkins on the balcony
Blossoming chrysanthemums are the perfect fall plants – they last at least 2 months and with their rusty, crimson, purple or yellow hued pompon flowers bright up any fall garden or balcony. Add a few colorful pumpkins, and you’re surrounded by the best of fall nature even in the middle of the city.
What are your fall essentials?
