Savoring the Shorter Days

Beyond pumpkins and holiday hype, here are 14 simple ways to truly embrace autumn’s softer light and shorter days

Autumn is by far my favorite season. I treasure it every year, even though it also signals the slow fading of those long, easy summer days.

So, how does one celebrate autumn?

I mean really embrace it?

Not just the “holidays,” but the season itself.

Sure, it’s easy to lean into pumpkins, pumpkin spice, and then, before you know it, holiday decorations. (Make the madness stop!)

But autumn is so much more than that. It’s a chance to connect with cooler air, softer light, and the steady rhythm of shorter days.

For me, it’s also about resisting the cultural push that kicks in right after Labor Day: the rush, the noise, the endless to-do’s. (My deepest desire is to escape all of that!)

What I love most about autumn is the invitation to slow down, notice the beauty, and create small, intentional rituals that make the season feel rich and restorative.

And, if I’m being honest, celebrating each season and shift in this way makes life richer. So, you can expect me to offer more lists in the future like this one.

That’s what this list is all about. These are the little traditions we return to here at The Whiskey Porch: 14 ways to savor the natural progression of autumn.

Home & Comfort

Image: Alena Zadorozhnaya - pexels

#1: Linens

Bring out your soft flannel sheets, wool throws, and silk scarves to toss on in the cooler mornings and evenings for an extra layer. Even better if they are freshly cleaned and smell good!

For me, this swap it’s more than a seasonal task; it’s part of our smaller lifestyle. When we downsized 15 years ago into our little historic cottage, I suddenly had a microscopic linen closet. The gift in that tiny space was that it forced me to toss (or repurpose) all the old, unloved linens that couldn’t fit.

Now I keep only four sets of sheets - one for each season. Each was an investment in super high quality, and gorgeous fibers and textures. Each swap smells faintly of lavender from the little storage bins I got and feels like a seasonal ritual I truly love.

#2: Twinkle Twinkle

Candles and delicate string lights. Not “holiday” decorations, just soft sweet light tucked into a couple of corners where you spend time. Even the ritual of lighting a candle as the sun dips low in the sky feels like a pleasure.

I like to keep it simple: plain white or all natural beeswax candles, and small white lights. No flashing lights. I use twinkle lights above my dining room hutch and along the taller kitchen cabinets. With a remote control, it’s easy to turn them on and off without messy cords dangling everywhere.

A quick tip: Choose bulbs with a warm off-white color, and steer clear of cloying, artificial candle scents. Look for high-quality products that last and add true warmth to your space.

#3: Fall Cleaning

Why wait until spring to freshen things up? Autumn has its own rhythm of cleaning and putting things to rest, and I actually relish it.

In the garden, that means tidying the shed. Take an afternoon to sort through tools, supplies, and equipment in the shed or at the potting bench. Sweep out the dust, stack the pots, and maybe sharpen and oil your pruners before hanging them up. It’s lovely to have things sorted and at the ready when spring rolls around.

Indoors, it’s the perfect time to shift things around for comfort. Wash the slipcovers, sort the pantry, throw windows open all day long, and make space for cozy evenings ahead. For me, settling in with sparkling clean windows is a fall ritual.

I love the feeling of knowing both house and garden are in order, ready to welcome the slower, softer season.

#4: Cocooning

Relish the chance to slow down and cocoon at home with your family, or friends.

Plan a cozy afternoon soup dinner on a blanket in front of a favorite movie. Bonus points if the soup has been simmering all afternoon. Enjoy doing less.

At our cottage on an especially wet or chilly autumn day, we sometimes settle into the living room with trays of charcuterie, blankets, and snacks to watch a football game - something we rarely do, which makes it all the more special.

I wrote a blog post about the Nordic concept called 'Hygge', which captures this perfectly: It's That Hygge Time of Year. I will be sharing that a little later in the season. Stay tuned!

Gardens & Nature

#5: Gathering

Cut your herbs from the garden before the first hard frost and hang them to dry. Herbs like bay, dill, lavender, lemon balm, thyme, rosemary, oregano.

Use them in soups, teas, or meat roasts over fall and winter. Or experiment with making simple hydrosols.

I like to hang my herbs in the sunroom (an enclosed porch) where my desk is. Here I am right now as I write this! It’s just steps from the kitchen and makes this space feel connected to the garden.

#6: Autumn Trees

Autumn is the perfect season to plant trees that will bring brilliant color next year. Cooler weather gives young trees time to focus on root development and settle into their new home.

Here in Prescott, maples and pears bring stunning bursts of red and gold against the evergreens.

Three years ago, I added two lanky (on sale) Coral Bark Japanese maples to the north side of my patio garden, tucked in under the old Alligator Junipers. Turns out, the location is perfect and they now reward us with delicate structure and vibrant color each autumn.

#7: For the Birds

Fall and winter bring extra challenges for the birds in our gardens. Buy fresh seed made for your area from a local vendor, and give your feeders a good cleaning before filling them. You can even fabricate simple feeders by up-cycling materials from your garden shed.

Just as important is water. A shallow heated dish or a simple basin you refresh daily can make all the difference in colder months.

At our cottage, it’s always a delight to watch the activity and learn about new species that show up each year. I invested in a plug-in bird bath that sits on a deck railing and keeps the water just barely above freezing to make it more accessible for our feathered visitors.

Rituals & Nourishment

#8: Breathe Deep

Just a few drops of high-quality essential oils can transform a room. Try a simple diffuser, or simmer them in a small pot of water on the stove for a gentle, natural fragrance. You can also add dried spices to the water.

Beyond the usual cinnamon or clove, a few of my favorites are eucalyptus, balsam fir, helichrysum, and sweet orange.

Go lightly—just a drop or two is plenty. And again, invest in really good quality products here that aren’t diluted or artificial for a meaningful experience.

#9: Crafting Meals

Autumn invites us back into the kitchen (or even out to the grill or smoker) to linger over recipes that take a little more time. The joy isn’t just in the meal itself, but in the preparation and anticipation.

Soup is always my go-to, and living in the southwest, I am often drawn to authentic Mexican dishes. Lately, I’ve been perfecting my Pozole Rojo recipe which only get better after a few days resting. Perfect for a lovely autumn picnic supper in the garden.

Use what’s in season at the farmers market and let it guide you: root vegetables, late tomatoes, fresh herbs, roasted chiles (if you’re able to find those).

#10: Tea Time

Autumn is the perfect time to explore new teas that celebrate the season - whether you savor a cup in the morning or have a special tea to give you a boost in the afternoons.

Loose tea is the way to go here. Consider spices and herbs you might not always associate with tea.

This autumn, my favorite new blend is one with black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and dried orange. It’s rich and soothing; the perfect companion while I write.

Later in the day, I reach for herbal blends that skip the caffeine but never the flavor. And, all the way through late fall, I love to snip fresh chocolate mint or lemon verbena from the kitchen garden for a simple brew with hot water and lemon.

#11: Mindfulness

Autumn is the perfect season to bring more mindfulness to the simple routines in your day. Think about bedtime with warm blankets, your morning cup of tea (or coffee) with steam curling from the mug, or even your skin care routine. Anything you do repeatedly can become rote and dull, but it doesn’t have to be.

For me, it’s lighting a candle first thing in the morning while I prepare my first cup of tea - it signals a fresh start. A gentle shift to begin my day.

What’s one small routine you could turn into a ritual this autumn?

Exploring

Ibis-the-yellow-lab, my hiking shadow on the trails

#12: Good Reads

Take a slow Sunday morning to put together a yummy reading list for the fall and winter. When it's just too nasty outside, escaping into a wonderful story is a true pleasure. Skip the television or other screens. Make a pot of tea, grab your favorite socks, turn on some soothing music and open your book.

This season I’ve got a list of ideas that’s brewing:

• Real Americans by Rachel Khong

• The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

• Pavilion of Women by Pearl S. Buck (love her!)

• Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

I’m drawn to historical non-fiction and love a good mystery. I’m a slow reader since I usually only settle down at bedtime - and fall asleep too quickly!

What’s on your reading list?

#13: Peaceful Trails

We don’t always think of fall and winter as hiking season, yet it’s often the most spectacular season of all to explore.

The trails are quieter, the air is crisp, and the light is gentle.

Some of my favorite autumn walks are in the Prescott National Forest, especially anywhere that aspen trees grow. We are fortunate to have hundreds of miles of fantastic trails outside our back door.

I like to tuck a small thermos of hot tea into my pack - perfect for a little pause while soaking in the views.

#14: Back to Red

This is one of my favorite seasonal shifts. Though I prefer red wine, I love the crisp pleasure of whites in the heat of summer. But once the evenings cool, I happily return to my favorite reds.

They pair beautifully with the foods we crave this time of year, and they always feel like a richer, more decadent treat.

For me, a good Pinot Noir is perfect for autumn evenings. Best place to source is at Trader Joes.

And there’s so many drinkable wines now available in less mainstream grapes from all over the world. Why not make it a little adventure to try something new and unusual?

There you have it - 14 ways to savor the shorter days of autumn.

My hope is that at least one or two spark something for you, or remind you of a ritual you already love.

What are some of the ways you like to slow down and mark this season? I’d truly love to hear—share your ideas in the comments below, and maybe we’ll have to add to (or tweak) our list next year.

For me, autumn is about more than checking off traditions. It’s a season that reminds me that slowing down isn’t losing momentum—it’s choosing to live more fully, with contentment and possibility.

Thanks for reading, friends.

With contentment & possibility,