How Do You Stay Positive Through Seasonal Change?
Simple Ways to Find Joy in Life’s Shifts
Hey friend — can I ask you something? Do seasonal changes ever catch you off guard? One minute you’re soaking up the long summer light, and the next you’re digging out sweaters and wondering how we got here so fast. Well, it’s not just you. Seasonal shifts can stir up a whole mix of emotions... excitement, overwhelm, nostalgia and sometimes a little resistance, too.
But here’s the good news - every season offers its own kind of magic. Yes, even the cold, harsh midwest winter season. And with a few gentle mindset shifts, we can learn to move through these moments with more joy, calm, and connection. Think of this as your cozy guide to embracing positivity when life (and the weather) decides it’s time for a change.
Let’s walk through this together.
1. Accept the Change (Even When You’re Not Totally Ready)
Change is constant. We all know this. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy on our hearts. Fall especially can feel like a big transition. The shorter days, upcoming school schedules, holiday planning sneaking up around every corner. It’s a lot. Still… there’s something healing about accepting what we can’t control. Think of trees in autumn. They don’t cling to every leaf. They let go, trusting that something new will eventually grow.
We can do the same.
Instead of fighting the earlier sunsets or sighing at the cooler mornings, try treating this shift as an invitation. A reset. A moment to exhale and soften your expectations. A simple way to practice this:
Write down 3 things you appreciate about the season you’re entering. Cozy socks? The golden light at 5 PM? A quieter pace? Naming small joys can help us see beauty that was already there, waiting.
2. Create Tiny Seasonal Rituals That Bring You Joy
Every season has rituals, and fall might just be the queen of them all. Candles, soups simmering on the stove, slow weekend breakfasts, crisp morning walks. Pumpkin spice comes to mind as well but that’s really a love-hate kind of thing, so I’ll leave it up to you if that’s a highlight or not.
Either way, you don’t need to overhaul your routines to embrace positivity. Just sprinkle in a few grounding, comforting touch points.
Maybe it’s:
A weekly walk where you watch the leaves slowly change
A warm drink you only sip this time of year - pumpkin spice flavored optional
A corner of your home you “cozify” with a blanket, candle, and book
A ritual of lighting a candle at dusk and letting the soft glow invite you to slow down
These tiny anchors help you stay rooted when everything else feels like it’s shifting.
Try this: Choose one new ritual to focus on this season. Just one. Let it be simple and meaningful but most of all, doable.
*If you want to bring more nature indoors, our Cottage Craft Studio nature-inspired prints add that calm, earthy warmth your space might be craving right now.
3. Shift Your Perspective: What If This Season Is Giving You a Gift?
You’ve heard the saying about lemons and lemonade. Now let’s trade it for something cozier. When fall gives you early sunsets… what if that’s your chance to rest? Slow down? Dream a little? Your perspective is powerful. The story you tell yourself about the season can completely shape how you experience it.
When I was younger, I used to feel a little sad this time of year. Summer felt like freedom, and fall felt like losing it. Every September, I’d brace myself. But then I decided to lean in instead of pull away. I embraced the slower evenings, the warm meals, the creative projects I never had time for in July. I let myself feel the coziness instead of the loss and began to focus on what the season brought to the table. It changed everything. Fall became one of my favorite chapters and I think it reflects perfectly as a season or time for letting go.
Now, positivity isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about choosing the lens that brings out what is still good, still comforting, still lovely.
4. Ground Yourself in Nature’s Rhythm
Nature has a way of calming us without saying a word. When change feels heavy, step outside even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Listen for the crunch of leaves.
Feel the cooler air on your skin.
Notice the colors, the wind, the softness it brings to the edges.
These small moments help your nervous system reset and remind you that change is natural and cyclical. It can feel more gentle when we allow it to be.
Try this: Spend 10 minutes outside each day. No phone. No agenda. Just presence.
Bring your journal if you feel inspired. Nature has a way of sparking thoughts we didn’t know we needed.
*If you want to bring that outdoor calm inside, our nature-centered art pieces can help your space reflect the peaceful rhythm of the season.
5. Stay Connected. You Don’t Have to Navigate Change Alone
As the temperatures drop, it’s so easy to drift into a little hibernation bubble. Connection definitely takes intention during this season, but we need it more than ever. Reach out to a friend. Host a small dinner. Join an online community that fills your cup. Schedule a weekly call with someone who gets you.
Gathering even in simple ways reminds us we’re supported and surrounded by people who care.
6. Set Gentle Intentions for the Season Ahead
Before fall rushes past us, pause and ask yourself:
What do I want more of this season?
What do I want less of?
What feeling do I want to invite into my life?
Let your answers guide your days. Maybe this is your season of rest. Maybe it’s creativity. Maybe it’s deeper connection with your family. Maybe it’s rediscovering yourself.
Write your intention somewhere you’ll see it. Let it be a quiet reminder of what matters most.
A Gentle Invitation
As the seasons shift, let’s choose to lean into the beauty, the possibilities and the quiet comfort that change can bring - if we let it. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to keep yourself open to the small joys waiting for you.
At Cottage Craft Studio, we’re here to walk with you through the cozy days, the reflective moments, and the chapters that ask you to grow in new ways.
Here’s to welcoming this season with softness, curiosity, and hope.