Fall is one of my favorite seasons, but I’ll be honest — it can also feel a little overwhelming. The days get shorter, schedules shift with homeschooling, sports, and church activities, and suddenly I’m juggling more than I expected. This fall is especially challenging. One our biggest helpers is away in her first year of college (so proud of her)!
Maybe you feel it too. Maybe your home is buzzing with activity, or maybe you’re walking through a tender season and your body is asking for more rest than you feel like you can give. Either way, this is the time of year when a simple, cozy routine can do more than calm your nerves — it can recenter your heart.
I don’t mean complicated checklists or perfect morning routines. I mean small, steady rhythms that whisper to your soul: you’re safe, you’re held, you’re not alone.
Here are a few cozy practices that have been helping me stay grounded this fall:
1. Create a gentle evening anchor
Evenings can feel like the hardest part of the day — everyone’s tired, the to-do list is still half-done, and rest feels far away. That’s why I make space for a “bedtime anchor” that signals to my body and my heart that it’s time to wind down.
For me, it often looks like dimming the lights, diffusing a calming blend, and saying a short prayer of gratitude. Sometimes I’ll do joy mapping or joy lettering to record one or two reflections in my journal, not a full page, just enough to put my heart on paper.
Your evening anchor might look different. Maybe it’s:
- Reading one Psalm before bed.
- Putting on soft worship music while you brush your teeth.
- Sitting quietly with a warm blanket for just five minutes before turning out the lights.
The point isn’t what you do — it’s that your body learns, “this is my time to rest.”
Scripture to hold onto:
2. Keep it cozy and simple
Cozy doesn’t mean complicated. In fact, as a working, homeschool mom of 6 on a healing journey, I don't have much discretionary time. I’ve learned that keeping things simple is what actually makes them sustainable.
Think about what makes you feel most at ease: a cup of coffee or tea, a diffuser, a favorite blanket, or even a single lamp turned on low. Sometimes creating a peaceful atmosphere is less about adding things and more about letting go of the pressure to “do it right.”
I’ve had evenings where I fell asleep mid-prayer, or mornings where my quiet time was interrupted by a child who needed me. It took me a long time to learn to let those moments be okay. Grace is part of the rhythm.
Scripture to hold onto:
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” – Exodus 33:14
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” – Exodus 33:14
3. Trade hustle for rest
I used to believe that being strong meant pushing through exhaustion. But the older I get — and the more I walk through seasons of healing — the more I realize resilience comes from rest, not hustle.
Maybe you’re in a season where sleep feels like a luxury, or where your body needs more care than you expected. Can I gently remind you? Choosing rest doesn’t mean you’re weak — it means you’re wise. It means you’re honoring the God who created rhythms of work and Sabbath.
Try asking yourself tonight: What’s one small way I can choose rest instead of hustle? Maybe it’s turning off your phone 20 minutes earlier. Maybe it’s saying no to one extra commitment. Maybe it’s trusting that what’s undone today can wait for tomorrow.
Scripture to hold onto:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
A Final Word of Encouragement
Friend, you don’t need to overhaul your entire life to feel centered this fall. You simply need one or two anchors — small, cozy routines that calm your body and remind your heart that God is near.
When you build those into your evenings, your days begin to feel different too. You carry a little more peace, a little more resilience, and a lot more joy.
And if you’d love to go deeper into creating these rhythms — not just for your evenings, but for your whole fall season — come spend time with me at my upcoming workshop:
Rooted & Resilient: Fall Wellness Reset
October 13, 2025 at 7 p.m. CST
October 13, 2025 at 7 p.m. CST
Together, we’ll walk through practical ways to stay well, create calm, and bring more joy into your home this fall. You don’t have to do it all alone — let’s do this side by side. 🍂
Choose joy!
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