As we enter this fall season, I first want to thank you so much for following along since I launched this website and blog at the beginning of July. Some of you might be reading the blog for the first time, while others have been tuning in week after week. Either way, I’m incredibly grateful for this small but growing community!

With autumn upon us, I can’t help but notice how seasonal content seems to be bleeding into every part of life — from endless fall decor videos on YouTube to Halloween-themed items already filling the aisles of retail stores. It feels like we’re being shoved into a new season even though summer hasn’t quite ended. I can’t be the only one?

Don’t get me wrong — I love the idea of seasonal living. Being mindful and adjusting our routines to the season at hand is a beautiful way to connect with nature and ourselves. What irks me is the growing impression that to live seasonally, you need to spend more each year. That not buying the “right” items means you’re somehow missing out. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and in this post, I want to share free or low-cost ways to meaningfully embrace fall — without buying into the hype. 

A Little Bit of History on the Marketing of the Fall Season

While fall has long been tied to harvest, transition, and slowing down, its commercialization is a fairly recent development. Retailers began leaning into fall-themed promotions in the late 20th century, starting with back-to-school sales, Halloween candy, and Thanksgiving deals — eventually giving rise to Black Friday as a national (and then global) shopping event.

Then came the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003, which helped transform fall into a full-blown experience. By the 2010s, thanks to the rise of social media and influencer culture, fall became something to perform: cozy sweaters, seasonal hauls, curated decor, and a sense that you need to buy in to fully enjoy it. What once was a natural shift in season has become a full-fledged lifestyle — one that’s often sold to us at a steep price, rather than simply experienced.

Embracing the Cozy Season — the Natural Way

Rather than the usual advice centered on candles, blankets, and expensive seasonal drinks, I wanted to offer simple, free, or low-cost ideas that are accessible to everyone. Embracing the cozy season shouldn’t be something reserved only for those with a large seasonal decor budget — it can and should be grounded in presence, not purchases.

7 Ideas to Embrace the Fall Season

1. Bring the outdoors, indoor

When the weather permits, open your windows to let the crisp morning air in. Gather fall foliage, branches, colorful dried leaves, and use them to naturally decorate your space. Consider stopping by your local farmers' market to pick up seasonal flowers like coneflowers or zinnias in beautiful autumn tones.

2. Eat seasonal veggies

There’s no better time to experiment with seasonal produce. Root vegetables like carrots, beets, and parsnips, along with squash, gourds, and pumpkins, are at their peak. Use them to inspire comforting meals like soups, roasted trays, or creative salads.

3. Read seasonal books & watch seasonal movies

There’s something nostalgic about re-reading favorite books or re-watching familiar films in the fall. Dip into your existing collection, trade with friends, or visit the library. Even watching YouTube videos recommending cozy reads or fall movie lineups can be a fun, free activity in itself.

4. Bake seasonal treats at home

Take stock of your pantry and let the ingredients you already have inspire some fall bakes. Cinnamon, maple syrup, oats, and honey are all great bases. A few of my favorites include sourdough cinnamon buns, maple lattes, & cardamom-honey cake.

5. Learn a traditional fall skill or craft

Use the season as inspiration to try a hands-on skill that’s connected to fall — like mending clothes, making jam or apple butter, or drying herbs. Many of these can be done with materials you already have at home, and they’re a satisfying way to slow down and stay connected to the rhythm of the season — plus you end up with something beautiful or delicious!

6. Change out the artwork on your walls

Many influencers suggest refreshing your walls each season by shopping the latest decor at places like HomeGoods or Target. While tempting, this often leads to buying generic pieces you don’t truly love and that are likely to be replaced by next year. A more personal and budget-friendly alternative is to explore free, public domain artwork from sites like rawpixel.com. You can print classic paintings at home and swap them into frames you already have. It’s a simple, creative way to reflect the season without feeding into the cycle of overconsumption.

7. Take walks in the forest

There’s nothing quite like immersing yourself in nature to truly appreciate the changing seasons — and this feels especially magical in autumn. The gradual shift of leaves into a rich palette of golds, ambers, and deep reds is nothing short of mesmerizing. Walking through this transformation is one of the most authentic ways to experience fall, just as generations before us have done. It’s a quiet, grounding reminder of how the world changes gently & beautifully.

Closing Thoughts

Living seasonally doesn’t have to mean spending seasonally. Fall invites us to slow down, reconnect with nature, and savor the small joys — many of which are entirely free. I hope these ideas spark your own inspiration for a slower, more intentional autumn.

I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite free or low-cost ways to enjoy fall? Are there any seasonal traditions or simple pleasures you return to year after year? Drop a comment below — let’s swap ideas and keep this conversation going!