4 Ways to Make the Most of Fall

An Offbeat Optimist's Guide

I’ve been dreaming of this moment ever since the day my car thermometer told me that it was 98 degrees in Boston. The first cool breeze of the season has finally blown in, and that means fall has arrived here in New England. Goodbye heat waves and humidity—you won’t be missed.

Now, it’s time for apple-picking on crisp days, pumpkins a-plenty, crunchy leaves underfoot, cool October nights, and haunted houses and happenings. It’s fall y’all, and it’s the best time of the year.

This wonderful season always seems to pass by in a flash—my one complaint is that as soon as I get comfortable in my hoodies, it’s time for another layer. So, to make fall feel slower this year, I’ve compiled a few ways to soak up every glorious moment of autumn awesomeness. It’s an offbeat optimist’s guide to focusing on the good stuff—but also the spooky stuff, the supernatural stuff, and the magic in the air.

1. Explore Nature with Leaf-Peeping Drives

This one’s obvious, but its importance can’t be overstated. If you complete only ONE fall activity this year, it must be this one! Drive out into the (relative) middle of nowhere to see the leaves in all their vibrant red and golden glory—it is simply sure to soothe your soul. Bonus points if you avoid the highway, take the scenic route, and happen upon a little farm-stand off the side of the road selling apple-flavored products of every kind.

Getting out into nature can help you to feel centered, peaceful, and present, even as the days get shorter. 

2. Get Outside with Spooky Walks  

Maybe it’s the sun setting earlier, the chilly night air, or the sound of crows cawing in the distance, but the shift in seasons rekindles with new intensity my interest in all things eerie, mystical, and unexplained. I love marinating in all the delightfully mysterious vibes with nightly spooky walks—they’re just like regular walks, only, well… spookier. For a walk to be spooky, you need only declare it so. My favorite way to spookify my regular post-work walk is to find a podcast to set the mood. Some great podcasts I’ve found for a pleasantly creepy vibe include:

• Supernatural with Ashley Flowers  – For ghost stories, tales of time travel, and more
• Internet Urban Legends  – For fascinating internet oddities
• Nighty Night with Rabia Chaudry – For bedtime stories that will not help you sleep

Spooky walks are a great way to get outside in that amazing fall air, get some steps in, and make everyday errands just a little more fun (and frightful).