fall reset: what i’m changing about my routine this season.

Fall in New York City always feels like a gentle, soft reset button. The crisp air shifts noticeably, the city’s pace changes, and suddenly I find myself craving routines that feel more grounding instead of the carefree chaos of summer. Maybe it’s the familiar school-year energy that lingers sweetly in the air or simply the relief that I can finally sip my coffee without immediately breaking into a sweat—but I truly love leaning into this season as a valuable chance to pause and reevaluate how I’m living day to day.

This year, my fall reset feels especially important. After a whirlwind summer (and let’s be real, a little too much winging it), I’m ready for routines that support me, not drain me. Here’s what I’m changing about my routine this season:

1. Slower Mornings with Intention

Summer mornings were always a whirlwind, rushing out the door with an iced latte clutched tightly in hand, silently hoping I remembered to grab my keys along the way. But fall mornings feel completely different—they’re gently urging me to slow down and savor the moment. Lately, I’ve been giving myself an extra 15 minutes just to sit quietly with my warm coffee, jotting down a few thoughts in my journal, and truly waking up before the city’s hectic rhythm takes over my day. It may seem like a small thing, but this simple pause makes everything feel so much calmer and more intentional.

I’ve been loving starting my mornings with a little intentionality, and a cute planner or journal makes all the difference. I write down thoughts, goals, or just morning gratitude before the city starts buzzing.

🛒 Shop my favorite journals and planners

2. Cooking at Home (More Than I Did This Summer)

Listen—I love a bodega sandwich or a last-minute dinner out as much as anyone. But there’s something about fall that makes cooking at home feel cozy and grounding. I’ve been trying to batch-make soups, prep roasted veggies, and lean into warm, nourishing meals instead of defaulting to takeout. Bonus: my wallet is already happier.

Nothing says fall mornings like a warm coffee in a mug that feels special. I’ve been rotating a few of my favorites for everything from beignets to pumpkin spice lattes.

🛒 Shop my cozy coffee accessories

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3. Smarter Screen Time

Confession: I let myself fall into a major summer scroll hole. (TikTok + iced coffee + air conditioning = hours gone.) This fall, I’m setting firmer boundaries. No phone first thing in the morning, no endless scrolling before bed. Instead, I’m trading that time for reading—because nothing hits like getting lost in a good book while the leaves are changing outside.

I’ve been reclaiming my screen time with more reading, and a few accessories make all the difference—think soft blankets, book lights, and candles to set the mood.

🛒 Shop my cozy reading essentials

4. More Movement, But Gently

I injured my foot earlier this year, so my fitness routine has been inconsistent. Now that I’m healing, I’m easing back in with low-impact workouts: walking through Central Park, light yoga flows, and maybe even dance classes once I feel ready. Fall feels like the perfect season to move with joy instead of pressure.

Low-impact workouts are my vibe this season—walking, yoga, and easy dance flows. The right sneakers, leggings, and mats make moving feel fun instead of a chore.

🛒 Shop my fall fitness picks

5. Protecting My Evenings

In the summer, nights are for staying out too late, saying yes to every invite, and pretending I don’t need sleep. But this fall? I’m craving cozy evenings in Harlem—candles lit, a good meal, and winding down without guilt. Protecting my evenings means protecting my energy, and I want to enter winter feeling full, not depleted.

Protecting my evenings means indulging in cozy candles that fill the room with a warm glow, slipping into soft, comfortable loungewear, and enjoying a calming little skincare ritual before bed. It’s the perfect way to gently close out the day, unwind, and fully recharge for whatever tomorrow may bring.

🛒 Shop my evening must-haves

Final Thoughts: My Fall Reset Mindset

A fall reset doesn’t have to be dramatic or overwhelming—it’s really about making small, intentional shifts that help you feel more grounded, balanced, and truly prepared for the season ahead. For me, this means embracing slow mornings filled with calm and reflection, cozy cooking that nourishes both body and soul, mindful movement that reconnects me to my body, and consciously choosing rest whenever I recognize the need to recharge.

If you’ve been craving a refreshing reset too, take this as your gentle sign to make a few thoughtful changes. Fall isn’t just about cozy new sweaters and indulging in all things pumpkin spice (though, let’s be honest, I’m definitely here for both)—it’s truly about embracing and creating routines that feel intentionally good and comfortable for the unique season you’re in.

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