For My Single Girls This Fall

Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year. There is something so magical about the leaves slowly changing from green to fire, the wonderful smell of cinnamon as you enter most stores, the soft embrace of your favorite sweater on a chilly day, and of course that life-changing first sip of a pumpkin spice latte. There is a newness, a freshness about autumn that is not found in any other season. It’s a wonderful time to restart and choose to live out every moment fully.

I wanted to make this for us (a revamp of my Summer list) so we can have a fall bucket list of sorts and truly embrace this season.

For my single girls this fall:

Take a ton of pictures of the small moments and the big ones too.

Get a big group of friends together and go on an official hayride. Make sure you drink some apple cider on the journey.

Make a playlist of your favorite chill tunes and dance around while you’re cleaning your home.

Pick a passage of Scripture to memorize this season. Make goals to learn a new verse every few days, and by the end you will have it hidden on your heart.

Take advantage of the fact that you don’t have to turn on your air or heat and leave your windows open. The slightly chilled breeze is all you need — unless you live in Florida like me and have to wait until January for it to even be cool enough.

It’s okay to be basic and order that pumpkin spice latte. It’s even okay to post about how much you love it on instagram. #guilty

Find a new hobby you haven’t tried before. Paint what you see out of your bedroom window, learn to play that song you can’t get out of your head on the guitar, or try baking that pie you saw on Pinterest.

Have a game night with your pals. Tell each person to invite a friend so you can end the night having made a few new friends.

Call someone today just to tell them that you are thankful for them. Don’t just stop there though, tell them why.

Find some prayer partners and commit to praying with and for each other. Pray for things outside of your circle too.

Write to a pen pal with your favorite pen.

Plan a date night with Jesus. Light some candles and turn on some God glorifying tunes and just be with Him. There is nothing better, I promise.

Find somewhere to serve. Try volunteering at a youth center, a shelter, or even look up some events your church is putting on and join in to help.

Tape up some of your favorite quotes and verses on your bathroom mirror so you can be encouraged as you’re getting ready for the day.

Take a walk downtown and window shop in the stores. If you go somewhere with candles, smell all of them. Crunch every leaf you pass by on the sidewalk.

Buy those cute ankle boots. I know you’ve been eying them for a while. Those leggings you bought last fall will be perfect with them.

Ask your friends, your mom, your grandma — whoever — what their favorite chili recipe is, and make it. Wrap up in your coziest blanket and turn on that movie you’ve been wanting to see while you eat it.

Smile more! It’s your best accessory!

Go to a pumpkin patch. Come on, you have to! Buy that pumpkin that is so ugly it’s actually cute and display it proudly on your doorstep.

Try a new hair style or a pretty plum polish or some lengthening mascara — not for anybody but yourself. It feels good to treat yourself, and you should sometimes.

Start buying or making your Christmas gifts now. I vote you try making something and if it doesn’t turn out no one has to know. 🙂

Have a Friends-giving at your place. It’s basically Thanksgiving with your friends. Everybody brings a dish to share and you guys celebrate how thankful you are for each other! Be a good hostess and treat everyone like your honored guest.

Bake some banana bread for your neighbor and include a little card too.

On a night that’s not too chilly, grab a blanket and some cinnamon tea and take some time to look up at the stars. It’s a great time to talk to Jesus, too.

Write out a list of blessings in your life. Write the huge ones and the ones easily overlooked too. Thank God for each one.

Be daring.

Walk in freedom.

Laugh out loud.

Dream really big.

Live fully alive.

Make your own list of things.

I’m sitting here writing this in a coffee shop, toasting my pumpkin spice latte to you, single girl. May your autumn be sweet and full of adventure. May you seek the heart of your King on a deeper level than ever before. May you feel His love embrace your heart at a greater magnitude. And, may you see the beauty all around you as you soak up every moment.