Savoring fall before the holidays arrive

This season, I’m heading to New England for the first time…specifically Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. I’ve always felt drawn to Rhode Island and Maine, but for one reason or another, I was never in a position to visit. Now that I finally am, going in fall feels almost destined. 

Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkMahogany.

I’m looking forward to ALL the things!   

The fall foliage, cooler mornings (especially after another HOT summer in Texas), the White Mountains, seeing East Coast beaches for the first time and, apparently, I need to try an apple cider donut while I’m there! But there’s one stop I’m most excited about: Salem, Massachusetts where my favorite childhood Halloween movie was filmed. Naturally, I’m making it a point to see the famous house where this movie was filmed in Salem. I already know that moment is going to mean something to me.

Growing up, my mom always made the holidays feel special, starting with Halloween. Decorating the house signaled that a new season had arrived and gave us something to look forward to. Halloween eventually became Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving became Christmas and, before we knew it, we were welcoming another year.

I carried a lot of that excitement into adulthood.   

A few years ago, when the sequel to my favorite Halloween movie premiered, my fiancé (then boyfriend) surprised me by decorating our entire media room for Halloween. Even our dogs were dressed in pumpkin costumes! It was such a simple gesture, but it reminded me that getting older doesn’t mean we have to outgrow the things that once brought us joy.

That’s part of what I’m most looking forward to about this trip. Obviously, I’m excited to finally visit places I’ve wanted to see for years, but I’m also excited to experience fall in a completely different way.

At home in Texas, September doesn’t always feel like the beginning of fall. The calendar might say the season is changing, but the temperatures often have other plans! This year, I’ll get to step into the scenery I’ve always associated with fall and experience it with all of my senses. You better believe I plan to savor every second.

Over the last few years, spending time outside has taken on a deeper meaning for me. When my mom was in the final stages of her illness, I started walking at a local park. In the middle of one of the hardest seasons of my life, being outside brought me peace. Nature gave me somewhere to breathe when everything else felt heavy.

That practice stayed with me. Now, I start nearly every day outside. So, while I’m excited about the apple cider donuts and Halloween nostalgia, I’m equally excited to stand among the White Mountains, breathe in the cool air, take in the changing leaves and allow a completely different landscape to remind my body what calm feels like.

That's one of the other things fall continues to teach me:   

Savoring a season doesn’t have to mean doing more. Sometimes it means paying closer attention. We’re quickly approaching the time of year when everything starts moving fast. Halloween gives way to Thanksgiving, Christmas arrives shortly after and, suddenly, we’re talking about New Year’s goals and resolutions.

The good news is that we don’t have to treat fall like a hallway leading to the holidays. We can enjoy the season we’re actually in. Make the fall recipe, decorate for Halloween, watch the childhood movie that still makes you happy (or helps you tap into your childhood happiness) or simply spend an afternoon outside noticing how nature has changed.

One thing I’m constantly telling myself is to not be so quick to dismiss something because I’ve “outgrown” it. I’m telling you this, too! Sometimes revisiting what brought us joy as children is exactly what our adult selves need.

This fall, before the holidays take over, what would it look like for you to really experience the season you’re in?

Raya Reaves is the founder and finance coach of City Girl Savings, LLC. She teaches women how to create and stick to realistic budget plans to reach their financial goals. Raya resides in Austin, Texas, with her boyfriend and two Yorkie dogs.