Ah, fall. The season of changing leaves, cooler weather, and…a decline in motivation to do anything.
If you feel this way, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with the incentive to do things as summer fades into autumn. Like the leaves, our energy seems to wither and die as the end of the year approaches.
But the good news is there are things you can do to help. You don’t have to succumb to the siren call of curling up under a blanket until spring comes again. Instead, you can have the productive and delightful autumn of your dreams.
In this post, you’ll find five ways to stay motivated this fall. They aren’t big things, but rather small habits and changes that you can easily implement and see results from.
Why You Might Lack Motivation
Before we dive into ways to stay productive, let’s take a look at why you might be lacking energy right now. Knowing the cause can help you better figure out how to treat the problem.
The Days Are Shorter
The closer we get to the end of the year, the shorter the days become. You get up in the dark, and it’s dark for many hours before you go to bed. Without sunlight, it’s difficult to feel motivated to get up with your alarm, work late, or even have energy for your day.
The Weather Is Colder
For some people, cooler weather makes them feel alive. But for others, once the temperature starts to drop, so does your motivation to do anything. All you want to do is curl up under a blanket and stay inside for the next five months, like a bear hibernating.
The Year’s Almost Over
The arrival of fall means there are only four months left in the year. The big year-end holidays are approaching. Your desire to accomplish the goals you set back in January dips. All this can take a real toll on your desire to be productive.
Ideas to Stay Motivated During Fall
1. Get Plenty of Sunlight
Sunlight has so many amazing benefits for your body and overall health. It boosts your mental health, regulates your immune system, and improves your sleep.
It can also be a big contributing factor to how motivated you feel. As the days get shorter, make sure to get outside at least a little every day. It might sound overly simple, but you’ll be surprised by how much more energy you’ll have to do things.
If you live in a cloudier area or just can’t get outside much due to your work schedule, consider investing in a sunlight lamp. It doesn’t provide Vitamin D, but it can improve your mental health during dark, cold autumn days.
2. Switch Up Your Schedule
The schedule that worked for you during the summer might not be as effective in the fall, and that’s okay. For example, maybe you went to the gym at 6 am during the summer, but now that it’s dark at that time, you don’t want to go.
There’s nothing wrong with changing your schedule to fit with the season. Start by assessing what’s no longer working for you. Then, brainstorm ways you can change it up so you feel motivated to do it.
Going back to our example, maybe you switch your gym time to 4 pm when you get off work. That way, you get a boost of energy for your evening, and you want to do it because it’s bright and sunny outside.
3. Exercise Regularly
Speaking of exercise, that can be one of the first things to go when the weather gets cold. Why would you want to change into booty shorts and a sports bra when you could stay cozy under a blanket and watch Gilmore Girls?
However, exercise is one thing you shouldn’t skip. First, because it’s good for your body. But it’s also amazing for your mental health. The better that is, the more energy and motivation you have to stay productive.
You can switch this up with the season, too. Maybe this summer, you were all about running. But now that it’s cold outside, you stick to Pilates or yoga. The important thing is to get up and moving.
4. Embrace Coziness
Just because you want to be productive this fall doesn’t mean you can’t be cozy, too. The key is finding ways to combine the two.
Start by brainstorming ways you can bring more coziness to your everyday tasks. Maybe you curl up under a blanket with a fall playlist while you work from home. Or what about switching your fall menu to include more delicious soups or other cold-weather food?
Allowing yourself downtime can also help you be more productive. Rest is important so you can recharge your energy for work. So don’t be afraid to let yourself have those slow mornings or cozy nights this fall.
5. Create a Fall Bucket List
It can feel a bit sad to leave summer behind. And when you’re sad, it can be difficult to want to do things. So why not make a fall bucket list to help you embrace the new season?
Don’t feel like you need to have a super long or involved bucket list, either. Ideas can be as simple as picking up a fall leaf or getting a pumpkin spice latte. You can also include books you want to read, movies you want to watch, and music you want to listen to.
The idea is to get you excited about fall. Once that feeling sets in, you’ll be so much more motivated to accomplish your bucket list and whatever work you do.
You don’t have to try all of these ideas, but we suggest trying at least one or two to motivate you this fall. It’s time to finish this year strong.
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