Fall Rituals: Scent and Small Shifts
October is always a little wild around here... theater rehearsals, volleyball, flag football, school field trips, Halloween fun, keeping up with friends, and of course Taylor Swift’s upcoming album (which my girls treat like an actual holiday lol). It’s a lot.
But then the air shifts... the light softens... and I find myself wanting to slow down. Craving cozy corners, warm scents, more pause.
I’ve always loved scent... it’s like the invisible mood-setter of a home. Scientists say it’s tied to memory and emotion but honestly, I just know one whiff of cinnamon or clove instantly changes how I feel.
My favorite part is including my girls. They love picking how our home should smell. Sometimes we make room mists together (which usually turns into a full-on spray battle lol)... other times we toss orange peels, cloves, and cinnamon sticks into a simmer pot like we’re making magic. It makes the whole house smell incredible but more than that... it becomes a ritual we share.
Here’s what I’m reaching for right now...
Cinnamon and clove for cozy nights
Orange and bergamot for a little brightness when days feel short
Cedarwood and pine when I want to feel grounded
Vanilla and cardamom for that sweet, comforting hug
Sage and rosemary to start the mornings fresh
It’s like curating a little scent wardrobe for the season.
Ritual doesn’t have to be big or fancy... it’s just doing something with intention. Lighting a candle before dinner. Spraying the pillows before bed. Taking one slow breath when I flip on a lamp at dusk.
I’m already making coffee in the morning... so why not stop and actually notice the smell and warmth before I dive into the day. I’m already making beds with the girls... so why not let them pick a scent and spritz their room. Tiny edits that make life feel softer.
Fall always makes me want to shift the house... not with big projects but little tweaks that make everything feel different...
Opening the windows... after a Chico summer of 105° it feels like such a treat
Adding layers... heavier quilts in the girls’ rooms, extra throws and pillows in our bedroom and living spaces
Swapping harsh lights for lamps and candles... and fairy lights if we’re feeling extra cozy
Bringing nature in... a branch in a vase, pears in a bowl, even one pretty leaf on the counter
They’re small changes but they completely change the energy.
So here’s my invitation... find one thing that feels like fall and make it your ritual this week. Light a candle... open a window... stir a simmer pot. Nothing complicated... just intentional.
Because those little things are the magic.
