Summer is almost over so now is the time to do things to prepare for autumn. While Autumn doesn’t officially begin until mid-September it’s never too early to start slowly phasing out summer. Here are some things that you can do starting today to prepare for autumn.

Prepare for autumn by:

Doing a closet cleanse

Take a look at your fall clothes from last year and see what’s worth keeping. Donate or give away in your local ‘But Nothing’ Facebook group what you no longer want to make room for this season’s trends. Don’t go too heavy on certain trendy pieces because you want items that you can continue to year over the next several fall seasons.

Saying bye to your summer beauty products

The beauty products you would use in the summer aren’t the same as those you’d use in the fall or winter. Because the fall air is cooler and drier our skin can crack and dry out. So as a way to prevent this you should change your beauty products that focus on hydration and moisturizing to keep your skin smooth and glowing.

Review your goals for the year (and for the year ahead)

Take a look at where you are now in the year have you accomplished much on your to-do list? If so, wonderful! Keep up the great work. If not, then now is the time to reassess and make a plan to help you complete those goals by the end of the year – or at least have them started. Also, the start of the year isn’t the only time to make new goals. You can make goals any time during the year. Use this time to look at what you want to accomplish next year and note what you need to do to make it happen.

Pulling out your flannel sheets and heavy blankets

I don’t know about you but I love nothing more than getting snuggly under the covers with warm sheets. You may not need both at the start of autumn but you can certainly mix-n-match them until it gets cold enough for both. I’ll sometimes use a regular fitted sheet and a flannel top sheet like a thin blanket. Speaking of blankets, pull out and wash (or Fabreeze) your heavy blankets. Don’t get caught out there in the middle of a chilly night and no blanket to keep you warm. Keep it folded at the foot of your bed for each reach in the middle of the night.

Stocking up on all your favorite autumn-scented candles. 

If you haven’t started doing so now is the time to start stocking up on your favorite autumn-scented candles. You’ll be hard-pressed to find them mid-season and if you do all the good scents are usually gone. If you find a new scent you love buy more than one. Don’t leave it thinking it will be there when you go back the next time. It won’t. Trust me. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way.

Ordering Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Nothing signifies the impending arrival of the fall season than the annual return of Starbucks’ infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte. While their fall meu comes out a month before fall that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to an early taste of fall. Think of it as a way to slowly say goodbye to the warmer weather while saying hello to the cooler months that are on the way.

Looking up new fall recipes

As the weather starts to cool, the more inclined we are to stay indoors, which means munching. Use the time indoors to try new delicious recipes that your stomach will love.

Going on an autumn-themed adventure

Rent a cabin, go apple/pumpkin picking, visit a winery, go for foliage hikes – all of these are things great things to do to welcome autumn.

Adding autumn-themed decor to your porch or front door

Don’t keep the fall decor to the inside of your house. Take it to your porch or apartment door. Hang a fall floral wreath, place a pumpkin or two, or basket of pinecones. You can also bring a little personality to your pumpkins by painting them various colors or adding designs to them. Pinterest has tons of ideas for you to recreate.

Stocking up on in-season fruits and veggies

There are several fruits and veggies that come into season in autumn. Fill your cart up with apples, cranberries, pumpkins, butternut squash, beets, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and eggplant. You can get a complete list here.

Getting a humidifier

Prevent your skin from drying out by getting a humidifier. I recommend putting it in your bedroom since that’s where we spend the most time. It will help keep your passageways giving you a better nights’ sleep.

Increasing your Vitamin D intake

During the summer our bodies get plenty of Vitamin D from the sun but in the fall (and especially in the winter) that isn’t the case. To prevent Vitamin D deficiency you should consider taking a supplement. You can also add more Vitamin D enriched foods to your diet such as salmon, mushrooms, almonds, carrots, and eggs to name a few. You can learn more about Vitamin D intake here.

Buying firewood (burning or decorative) for your fireplace

I’ve been fortunate enough to have had 2 apartments with fireplaces. They weren’t working fireplaces but that didn’t mean I couldn’t make them appear like they were working. You can stack the logs one on top of the other in the fireplace or display them like you intend to burn them. If logs aren’t your thing you can place oversized candles inside, that you can light, to set a warm and cozy ambiance.

Replacing your thin summer curtains with thicker heavier ones 

Aside from putting cute little pumpkins and other autumn decor all over your house make sure you change your curtains. Your thin summer curtains aren’t great with keeping the cold out. By hanging heavier ones, you’ll create a warm cozy environment and save money on your heating bill.

Taking your air conditioner out the window

The arrival of autumn means cool breezes. Open the window and save a few dollars on your electric bill by opening the window. Also, by mid-October, you’ll want to turn on the thermostat, and if your air conditioner is still the window you’ll be letting the heat out – and letting the cold in.

Getting thick plastic for your windows and doorways

Speaking of a draft house, ever wonder why your house is chilly and you can never figure out why? Check your windows and doorways. Despite them being closed and locked air has still found a way inside. Every winter, usually around January when winter really sets in, I put plastic up to the windows to prevent the cold from coming in. I seal the entire window leaving enough slack for the air to fill it without tearing the tape and boy can I tell the difference, and you will too. You’ll be amazed at how much air is trapped in the plastic and how much warmer your house will be.

Looking for cracks and plug them to prevent rodents

I’ve lived in New York City for 20 years so I’m quite used to sharing my city with rodents but what I won’t do is share my apartment with them. When I first move into an apartment I plug cracks and holes with steel wool. Once I’ve settled in at the end of the summer season, I look for new cracks and holes because when the weather drops rodents will look for warm places to sleep. Wearing gloves using a butter knife I rip the steel wool apart and stuff it into holes. Rodents can’t claw or eat their way through it so they can’t invade your space.

Taking your car to the mechanic for a check-up

Don’t wait for something to happen to your car for you to take it to the mechanic, especially during the colder months. Get that overdue tuneup, get your quarterly oil change, and check your breaks. This will give you the confidence to know that your car will make it through the colder months without any issue that could have been prevented.

Treating yourself to a new winter plant

If you think plants are just for the spring and summer months then you’ve thought wrong. There are a number of indoor plants that thrive during colder months. Treat yourself to a snake plant it naturally grows in drier climates so it can withstand heat from the radiator or space heaters. The ZZ plant can tolerate infrequent watering so if you plan to go out of town for the holidays you won’t have to worry about it when you return. Cast-Iron Plant is another plant that does well in drier climates. Treat yourself to one or two or a few.

Reading one book from your summer read list

Remember that summer read list you created but never read anything from it? Now is the time to choose a book from that list and read it. By taking time out of your day to read a few pages you’ll find be done that book in no time flat. If you can get through more than one read before the end of summer even better.

Creating a fall reading list

Grab your summer reading list, cross out the word summer, insert fall, and add books that you want to read before the end of the year.

Getting the flu shot (and your Covid-19 vaccination shot too)

Flu season is almost here so be sure to get your flu shot. The 2020-2021 flu season was low due to everyone being indoors and masking up. With the reduced masking mandates we could see increased numbers so get your flu shot, and while you’re at the pharmacy get your covid vaccination shot too. It’s been approved by the FDA now so there’s no excuse to not get it – and keep your mask on.

Getting your body ready for the end of daylight savings

Daylight savings ends in the fall so it’s best if you get your body prepared for the time change. Start going to bed a little earlier as the fallback time change gets closer so your body is used to the time difference.

Purchasing your thermals

Thermals are a must-have to keep warm during the winter season so don’t wait for it to get cold to get yours. Get them now as you prepare for autumn so that you get them before they sell out in your size. I personally don’t wear thermals I wear fur-lined leggings. I wear them under my jeans to keep warm.