HOW TO DO AN AUTUMN RESET (OR FALL RESET IF YOU ARE IN THE USA!)

The Benefits of an Autumn (Fall) Reset for Your Home, Health and Mindset

No one is more reluctant than me to admit that summer is over and the air is getting crisp, the leaves are starting to drop and everyone is talking about pumpkin lattes and whether to put the heating on yet.

Autumn (or fall, if you’re across the pond) is the perfect time for a reset. It’s like nature is giving us a big nudge to slow down, cosy up, and get organised before the winter months roll in.

I’ve put together some of my favourite ways to do an autumn reset, all of which I’ve popped neatly into my Seasonal Reset Guide Workbook. It’s a printable and fillable PDF that gives you structure, prompts and checklists to make your reset simple and stress free. You can grab it instantly and get started today. Perfect for every season and to be used year on year.

And, as always, a quick note: some of the links below are affiliate links, which means if you click and buy I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps me keep creating free tips and content, so thank you!

1. Declutter Your Space

I may be quietly crying into my coffee but it is time to say goodbye to the sandals, sun hats and half burnt citronella candles. Autumn calls for a calm, comforting environment. Start small - maybe your hallway, where summer beach bags and flip flops have been dumped, or your kitchen worktops that are groaning under summer clutter.

Storage baskets are brilliant for gathering scarves and gloves by the door. I love these stylish woven baskets on Amazon that look pretty and keep the chaos under control.

Use vacuum storage bags with this great gadget to easily store summer clothes away for the next couple of seasons.

2. Refresh Your Sleep Routine

Summer nights often mean late dinners, Netflix binges and a slightly chaotic bedtime. Autumn’s darker evenings are the perfect excuse to reset your sleep habits. Try going to bed half an hour earlier and keeping your phone out of the bedroom (yes, I know…).

If you’re tempted, a sunrise alarm clock like this one on Amazon can help you wake gently on darker mornings.

3. Get Outside Daily

Don’t hibernate just yet. Fresh, cool air and daylight work wonders for energy and mood. Even a quick walk round the block makes a difference. Bonus points if you crunch through a few leaves along the way.

I always keep a lightweight waterproof jacket by the door so I can head out whatever the weather. This packable one is my current favourite.

4. Eat Seasonally

Autumn is basically comfort food season. Think soups, roasted veggies, and anything involving apples. I love dog walking and always take a bag to fill with surplus fruit and vegetables that people leave outside their gardens! Stock your kitchen with seasonal produce and plan your meals around what’s fresh.

And if you’re after kitchen kit, my favourite Instant Pot gets used most days in my home with slow cooked meals to come home to after work, soups and the option to air fry some chips and salmon quickly.

5. Digital Detox Moments

It’s so easy to carry on with summer scrolling habits. Autumn is a great time to gently rein it in. Try setting “no phone” times - first thing in the morning, or the hour before bed.

If you need more help, my Digital Declutter Course is also available and works brilliantly alongside the seasonal reset.

6. Move Your Body Gently

This isn’t about punishing workouts. Think cosy yoga, stretching, and autumn walks. It’s about movement that feels good, suits your body type and helps you slip into the slower rhythm of the season.

I’ve been loving these non-slip yoga mats on Amazon - they make home practice so much easier.

7. Set New Intentions

Autumn feels like a natural “new year.” Summer’s chaos is behind us, and before Christmas madness begins, you’ve got a window of calm to reset your priorities.

Grab a notebook or journal and write down three things you’d like to focus on over the next few months.

8. Practice Gratitude

Autumn is full of small joys - hot drinks, blankets, candles, colourful leaves. Noticing them can help shift your mindset. A daily gratitude practice doesn’t need to be complicated. One line a night will do.

Don't think it is too woo woo - it absolutely works!

I love using this simple gratitude journal to jot down three things I’m grateful for each evening.

Autumn is a season of gentle shifts, and a reset doesn’t have to be about overhauling everything at once. It’s about small, mindful changes that help you feel more grounded as the days get shorter and the evenings draw in. Once I am done crying as I put away my flip flops - I too will learn to love the chillier days and the muddier dog walks - however if you start talking Christmas decorations this season we can't be friends!!

Thanks for reading, I'm Jo, a Professional Organiser for 20 years and your new partner in creating an organised home. 

Based in Petersfield, Hampshire but covering Surrey, West Sussex and London (upon individual request basis).

I help busy professionals, families and home movers, organise and declutter their homes, paperwork and photographs.

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