The change of seasons always feels like a gentle invitation to pause, reset, and reimagine the little rhythms of daily life. Whether it’s the way the light shifts in the evenings, the sudden craving for soups, or the simple joy of pulling a favorite sweater out of storage, each season comes with its own energy and magic.
This year, I’ve decided to lean into that feeling with more intention. Instead of just letting the season pass by in a blur of routines, I want to notice, savor, and collect the things that spark joy. Some are small indulgences, some are bigger plans, but together they add up to a reset for my spirit. Think of it as a happiness toolkit—simple pleasures I can reach for to make the everyday feel just a little brighter.
Here’s my seasonal list of joys, indulgences, and intentions—things that make me smile, things I want to try, and things I can’t wait to experience.
Swapping Coffee for Matcha (and Having Fun With It)
I never thought I’d be someone who swapped coffee for matcha, but here we are. Recently I’ve been experimenting with the world of matcha, and it feels like opening a door to a whole new ritual. Where coffee gives me that hard jolt, matcha feels softer, smoother, and just a little more fun.
Lately, I’ve been trying out different variations—like strawberry foam matcha, or a delicate rose matcha latte that looks almost too pretty to drink. There’s something so playful about whisking that bright green powder into a frothy cloud and adding unexpected twists. It’s become one of my tiny daily indulgences, and I look forward to seeing what flavor combo I’ll dream up next.
Leaning Into Cozy Layers
The change of seasons always calls for cozy textures and layers. Soft knits, scarves, and that perfectly broken-in cardigan make even the most ordinary day feel special. This is also the season where I give myself permission to really lean into comfort clothing. It’s like a hug you can wear.
Dopamine Dressing: Adding More Color to My Wardrobe
For years, I lived in neutrals—black, beige, navy, repeat. But lately I’ve been experimenting with “dopamine dressing,” intentionally bringing more color into my wardrobe. And let me tell you, it works.
A pop of pink, a bold green sweater, even just a pair of brightly colored earrings can shift my mood. It’s amazing how much joy something as simple as color can bring into the everyday. Where I once thought brights were “too much,” now I see them as little sparks of happiness I can wear.
Simple Pleasures That Never Fail
Some joys don’t change with the calendar, but they somehow feel fresher this time of year.
Lighting a candle in the evening and letting the soft glow fill the room
Taking a walk just as the sun sets, watching the sky change
Reading with a blanket tucked around me
Writing in a notebook with a pen that feels good in my hand
Fresh flowers on the table, even if they’re just grocery-store blooms
It’s the little things that often hold the most magic.
Things I’m Looking Forward to This Season
Alongside everyday pleasures, I’m also thinking about the “big picture” joys—things unique to this season that I want to savor. Anticipation itself is a happiness booster, so just writing these down makes me smile.
Learning the guitar (alongside Dax)! I recently put Dax in private lessons and since he’s only 5, Mom is learning too. I think somehow learning a new instrument forces you to slow down–do you know what I mean? I love that time together and any excuse to slow down.
I’m looking forward to beading with my girls! I used to love beading jewelry when I was there age but at some point let that hobby go. I’m so happy that my girls love going to bead shops (they always just feel magical!) and that we can share this hobby together.
Crisp evenings are one of my favorite seasonal shifts. That magical hour when the sun dips and the world feels calm and golden always fills me with peace. I especially love being outside with my kids then—playing soccer, tossing a football, playing pickleball in our driveway, or just running around in the front yard as the light softens. Those sunset play sessions feel like the kind of memories we’ll all hold onto.
There’s also the comfort of seasonal baking: pies, muffins, and breads that fill the house with warmth. Fall festivals and markets are on my list too, with stalls to wander through, treats to taste, and people-watching to enjoy. Outdoor dining is another highlight—food just tastes better outside, especially when paired with cool air and twinkle lights.
I’m super excited about some comedy shows that are on the calendar! Nick and I have always love stand-up comedy, but lately we’ve been exploring more of the local comedy scene and some of the up and coming comedians here in Austin.
I look forward to our seasonal rituals, whether that means decorating, planting, or gathering with friends. And of course, weekends filled with kids’ sports—the kind of busy that feels joyful, full of sideline chatter and cheering them on as they grow in confidence.
My daughter has a school reading challenge to read at least 10 different genres of books this year. I tend to gravitate to three types of books: design focused, personal development / self-help, or just general non-fiction topics. I think I’m going to join Willa in her book challenge. I just picked up “The People We Meet on Vacation” at the library. I’ve heard it’s great! I’ve also heard that it’s more of a beach read but who says you can only read those on vacation anyway?
This year, I’m also excited to try something new: attending a Friday night high school football game as a family. It feels like such a classic seasonal outing—hot cocoa in hand, bundled in blankets, soaking up the energy of the crowd.
I’m excited to update my mini veggie/herb garden! I haven’t really decided what I’m planting yet, but Dax and I had so much fun growing strawberries, lemons and some herbs over the summer.
And then there’s the cooler weather itself. After weeks of heat, that first crisp breeze calls for sweaters and cozy socks. Speaking of socks, I’ve recently become a collector of fun ones—bright stripes, quirky patterns, seasonal designs. I’m genuinely looking forward to pulling out my fun sock collection this season. They never fail to make me smile.
Music is another seasonal joy. I’m curating a fall playlist that I can play while cooking, driving, or even just tidying up around the house. I want to start playing music around the house more often! The right songs have a way of making even errands or laundry feel a little more cinematic, and I’ll be sure to share my playlist once it’s finished.
And then, of course, there’s Halloween. I’m just a sucker for Halloween—the costumes, the candy, the playful decorations. Pumpkin carving, neighborhood trick-or-treating, maybe even a themed family costume. Halloween has a way of bringing out the kid in me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Finding Joy in the Kitchen Again
I’ll admit it—I’ve been in a cooking rut. Same dinners, same grocery list, same sigh every time I open the fridge at 5 p.m. But this season, I’m determined to reset that mindset and bring more joy back into the kitchen.
For me, that means experimenting with new recipes, especially soups. There’s something about soup season that feels nourishing in every sense of the word. A pot simmering on the stove fills the house with comfort, and sitting down with a warm bowl feels like a reward at the end of the day.
On my “soup list” this season: a classic chicken noodle with extra herbs, a creamy roasted tomato soup, a Thai coconut curry that brings a little spice to cooler nights, and maybe even a hearty lentil soup.
Cooking can feel like a chore when I treat it as one, but when I shift my perspective to see it as creativity, it becomes a tiny indulgence. Nourishing my family isn’t just about the food—it’s about the love and joy served with it.
Cozy Family Fun: Games and Puzzles
Another reset I’m craving this season is more board games and puzzles. With the days getting shorter, evenings at home start to feel extra cozy, and it’s the perfect time to pull out a game or puzzle. I normally keep our games and puzzles in the playroom out of sight, but I’ve decided to stash a few in the living room and rotate them out every few days so that we are reminded to pull out a game instead of turn on the TV!
There’s something special about gathering around the table, laughing, competing (just a little), and sharing stories in between turns. Puzzles, in particular, feel almost meditative—watching a picture come together piece by piece while conversations flow easily in the background.
It’s such a simple tradition, but it brings us together in a way screens never can.
Fall Projects and Goals
I love the idea of setting little seasonal projects—things that make life feel fresh and give me something to look forward to. This fall, one of our big goals is building our outdoor kitchen.
We’ve always loved eating outside, but I want to make it a more regular part of our family rhythm. Having a space designed for it—where we can grill, gather, and enjoy meals under the open sky—feels like an investment in joy. I picture cozy fall dinners with string lights above us, kids laughing in the yard, and the smell of something delicious cooking just steps away.
Projects like this remind me that happiness often comes from creating the environment where joy can thrive. Whether it’s a big build like an outdoor kitchen or something smaller—like reorganizing a closet or adding a few plants—fresh projects bring fresh energy.
Giving Myself Permission to Indulge
At the heart of this seasonal reset is the reminder that joy doesn’t have to be earned. Tiny indulgences—whether it’s a fancy matcha latte, a new pair of fun socks, or an hour with a good book—aren’t frivolous. They’re fuel. They keep the spark alive.
This season, I’m giving myself permission to lean into those little luxuries without guilt. Because life is short, and joy is worth chasing.
The change of seasons feels like opening a fresh page. It’s a chance to reset, to notice what makes me smile, and to sprinkle more of those things into my days. From matcha lattes and dopamine dressing to soup nights, family games, outdoor projects, and fun socks, I’m building a season that feels rich with joy.
I don’t need grand adventures or huge changes to feel happy—just the small, simple pleasures that turn ordinary moments into something special. This season, I’m choosing to lean in, savor, and collect joy wherever I can find it.
