The Prep Season: Letting Go, Nesting, and Balancing Life Before Winter
The first crisp mornings always sneak up on me. One day I’m grabbing iced coffee and sandals, and the next I’m pulling out sweaters and realizing it’s dark before dinner. Fall Equinox through Winter Solstice is nature’s “prep season.” The trees shed, the air sharpens, and life seems to whisper: simplify, gather, get ready.
Instead of bracing against the darker months, what if we leaned into them? This season is all about letting go of what doesn’t serve us and creating little anchors that will support us as the nights get longer. Here’s how I’m approaching it:
🌿 Letting Go Like Nature
Trees don’t cling to their leaves, and neither should we. Fall is the perfect time to:
- Clear a closet (or at least that chair that’s become your laundry mountain).
- Audit your schedule — say no to one draining thing and yes to breathing room.
- Release habits that weigh you down. (For me, late-night scrolling was first to go.)
The act of letting go is a reset button. Less clutter outside = more clarity inside.
🕯 Create a Cozy Nest
Dark evenings feel softer with the right atmosphere. This doesn’t have to be an Instagrammable cabin — just small comforts:
- Lighting: Lamps, candles, fairy lights. (The overhead light can wait until spring.)
- Textures: A good blanket or fuzzy socks go a long way.
- Pantry staples: Soups, teas, roasted nuts — things you can grab on a tired night.
These aren’t frivolous. They’re signals to your nervous system that you’re safe and supported.
📅 Balance Out Your Calendar
Fall invites us to slow down, but it’s also packed with activity: work deadlines, family holidays, social invites. Balance is the trick.
- One social, one solo: For every night out, plan an evening in.
- Block downtime: Literally schedule “rest” on your calendar.
- Micro-rests: Ten minutes of quiet before dinner or a short walk at lunch count.
Takeaway: The prep season isn’t about control. It’s about care. When we shed, nest, and balance, we arrive at winter not depleted but ready.