prepare

Gold, saffron, auburn explodes in the tree branches above you. Fall is here. Are you ready?

I know you’ve already cleaned out your gutters and put away your patio furniture. I know you’ve switched the filter on your furnace and gathered pinecones and leaves for simple fall décor. But what about inside your home? And inside your mind? Are you ready?

It’s time to shed burdensome things & feelings this fall

1) LET THE COLD AIR CLEANSE YOUR HOME

Now that the air is crisper, open up all the windows in your home to air it out. Let the cold air cleanse your home of smells, moisture, and any bad summer vibes.

2) CLEAN & DUST TRACES OF SUMMER FUN

Windows open all summer? Or maybe the A/C flowed continuously? Blades of grass traipsed through your living room? Midnight thunderstorms remnants on the window panes? Chances are, you and others have been in and out of the house more often because of the warm weather. It’s time to do some autumn cleaning!

Wash & Vacuum Windows:

— Wash the windows, inside and out (might need a ladder for that).

— Vacuum up the dirt and leaves that have blown in through the windows, landing on the windowsills and ledges.

Dust Furniture & Light Fixtures & Vacuum Every Inch

—  Dust the tops of ceiling fans that have been going nonstop. Dust furniture. Flip mattresses and couch cushions. Vacuum underneath the couches and tables, around the corners of every room.

3) SECURE WINDOWS, DOORS FOR COOLER WEATHER

Now that the windows are clean, the house has been aired out, it’s time to close the windows for the next few months.

Put up the storm windows:

— Put up the storm windows, secure the latches, and lock the windows. It’s time to hunker down for cold months.

4) REVIEW & DECLUTTER SUMMER’S STUFF

What did you use this summer, and what didn’t you use? What can you part with? What is a staple?

Once the house is totally clean, dusted, and secured for the cold months, take a few hours to go through every single room of the house. Look at your stuff with fresh eyes.

— What did you not touch in the past three months?

— Six months?

— Nine months?

— Twelve?

— What is no longer necessary?

Declutter what seems out of place and unnecessary.

5) ROTATE & SWITCH FOR COOLER MONTHS

Head to your closets. It’s time to rotate your clothes!

Take a look at all the clothes you’ve worn this past summer.

— Is there anything you didn’t touch?

— Anything that makes you feel uncomfortable?

— Anything totally unflattering?

— Things you dread wearing but keep just in case?

Declutter, and get ready to donate these items.

Then, move your cold weather clothes to the forefront of your closet and dresser drawers.

— Make sure you can see every single item so that you don’t spend too much time deciding what to wear in the morning.

6) REFLECT ON RELATIONSHIPS, FEELINGS, HABITS

Fall is a time to reflect. We watch as leaves fall slowly to their deaths. We consider what must go.

Think about this summer. Which relationships nourish you? Which drain you? There are people in our lives whom we cannot let go of, and sometimes they drain us. But we love them. Sometimes we need to quiet our “true selves” and bite the bullet, grin and bear it, suck it up—and take care of those who need us. But then there are people we can choose to keep in our lives, who might not need us, and we certainly don’t need them. Think about those relationships that might require decluttering. And let them go.

Which habits did you develop this summer? Which habits atrophied? Take time to list the habits you’d like to lose, the habits you’d like to acquire. Create a schedule to hold yourself accountable. Share it with a friend. Wake up tomorrow and grow that habit. Let the bad habits die with the foliage around you.

7) PREPARE YOUR MIND, BODY, AND HOME FOR NESTING.

— Clean out your electric tea kettle.

— Stock your pantry with soup.

— Print a list of vegetables and fruit in season.

— Adorn your home with décor that pays homage to the changing season.

— Track your feelings and thoughts in a journal.

— Make a list of indoor projects you want to tackle this fall and winter.

Accept that we are heading toward a time of reflection, a time to shed bad habits and useless things, a time to gather with those we love and share hearty foods and meaningful experiences.

When the leaves begin to turn and the temperature drops, you’ll be ready to take on the challenging winds and biting cold. Your home, your mind, your heart will be clear and prepared to take on anything that comes your way.