Pumpkin spice may be back, but that doesn’t mean we’re actually ready for autumn. Even while temperatures are still warm, school has started, daylight is changing, routines are shifting, and another season is approaching. It’s time to make the shift. You don’t have to wait until the weather changes to start preparing for autumn. Nature eases us into the change. Have you noticed that the mornings and evenings are already changing even though temperatures are still high? It’s 93 degrees as I’m writing this.

By now, even the squirrels are pivoting. They’re gathering nuts, seeds, and acorns, building nests, and gaining weight. Okay, we don’t want to do that last one. But the point is, nature is adjusting. We can do a few small things now, too, to make the transition from summer to autumn feel much easier later.

Autumn preparation doesn’t have to mean doing everything at once. Think of it as taking inventory of your clothes, home, wellness habits, exercise and self-care routines, car, pantry, skincare, and schedule. Then you can decide what actually needs your attention.

1. Take Inventory of Your Autumn Wardrobe

One of the easiest ways to prepare for autumn is to look at your seasonal wardrobe before you actually need it. Take a look at your sweaters, boots, jackets, and long sleeves. That’s the hard part. I don’t like trying on heavy clothing in hot temperatures. Do this during the cool of the day—if you can find any. Or blast the AC for this project.

Look for things that need cleaning, washing, repairing, or replacing. Do you have hemlines that need a touch-up? What needs to visit the cleaners? Does a favorite coat still fit comfortably?

Don’t forget the footwear. Are the soles still good? Do your boots need cleaning or waterproofing?

Okay, ladies, this is important. I’m not giving you an excuse to go shopping. Give those Nordstrom cards a break. See what you already have before you consider buying more.

2. Make Your Home Feel Ready for Autumn

Preparing your home for autumn can be as simple as checking the things that make your family comfortable as temperatures begin to change.

Start with your bed linens. It’s almost time to switch out the lightweight sheets for cozy flannel. Heavier blankets and comforters will be used again soon. You may even change out pastels for warmer hues, or perhaps florals for plaids, mushrooms, or something else that feels like autumn. What needs to be thrown in the wash before you use it?

Do you decorate your home, either inside or out? Do you have autumn or Halloween décor that you use each year? Are all the pieces there? Did anything break? Were you planning to expand the collection? This is a great time to take care of those things instead of scrambling later.

Think beyond decorations, too. What makes your home feel comfortable and cozy for your family as you begin spending more time indoors? Perhaps a throw on the couch as you watch television is your vibe.

Whether your heat is central or portable, does anything need attention before its first use? Do filters need to be replaced? Is there dust that needs to be cleaned away? It’s much nicer to discover those things now than on the first chilly night when you actually need the heat.

3. Revisit Your Autumn Wellness Routine

As the seasons change, it’s a good time to take inventory of your family’s wellness habits and the basic supplies you like to keep at home. As the weather cools, many of us will spend more hours indoors and around other people. Cold and flu season is also approaching, so think about the everyday healthy habits that help your household through the season. This might include getting enough rest, staying hydrated, washing hands regularly, and keeping commonly used household wellness supplies on hand.

Check what you already have at home so you’re not dragging yourself to the store when you’re feeling under the weather. Our family also pivots with more On Guard as our seasonal routine. It’s one of the ways I prepare my home for autumn, and I’ve shared more about how I use On Guard in a separate article.

And it’s not just cold and flu season. If autumn tends to bring seasonal allergies for you, this is a good time to think ahead about what you normally need.

4. Adjust Your Exercise and Self-Care Routines

Your autumn exercise routine may need to look different from your summer routine — and that’s okay.

This summer, you may have enjoyed early walks, swimming, outdoor activities, or exercising later because daylight lasts longer. As the days get shorter and weather conditions change, consider your rhythm:

• Will my usual exercise time still work as daylight gets shorter?
• Do I need an indoor alternative for rainy or cold days?
• Is there an activity I’d enjoy trying this season?
• What will help me stay consistent rather than abandoning the routine altogether?

Your self-care can change, too. Maybe summer self-care was the beach, gardening, or sitting outside late in the evening. Autumn might bring reading, warm baths, journaling, baking, meeting a friend for tea, or finding a cozy place to relax.

The important thing is recognizing that when the season changes, some of the routines that have been working for us may need to change with it. Self-care doesn’t have to look the same in every season.

5. Get Your Car Ready Before the Weather Changes

Autumn car preparation will look different depending on where you live, but it’s worth checking your vehicle before rain, colder temperatures, snow, or shorter daylight hours become part of your regular drive.

Even in the mild Los Angeles climate where I live, there are still things I need to be mindful of. Believe me when I tell you that I know very little about automotive maintenance. I rely heavily on my mechanic. But here are a few things I know to check:

• Are the windshield wipers in good working condition?
• Are the brakes working properly?
• Is there enough tread on the tires for wet roads?
• Are the headlights and other exterior lights working?
• Do I have an emergency supply kit in the car?
• Is my AAA membership up to date? Mine always is. Thank you, autopay!
• If I lived or traveled where snow and ice are common, I’d also check what winter-driving equipment is recommended or required where I’m going.

This isn’t about becoming your own mechanic. It’s about taking care of the things you can before driving conditions change.

6. Take an Autumn Pantry Inventory

Preparing your kitchen for autumn doesn’t mean you need to run out and buy everything associated with pumpkin spice. Start by looking at what you already have and thinking about how your family’s meals typically change when the weather cools.

I’ve enjoyed our summer menu. It has been filled with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lighter meals. As a matter of fact, we’ve been eating vegetarian since June 1. But as we pivot into autumn, we’ll occasionally bring meat into play again. Salmon has been calling my name. It’s time to answer it.

Comfort foods, warm beverages, and certain spices also start making their way back into the autumn menu. This is a great time to check your pantry. Please check expiration dates on foods and spices, too. Sometimes those small jars get lost in the back of the spice rack.

Do you bake more when the weather is cooler? If so, make sure your most-used ingredients are on hand. Check your baking sheets and pans, too. Are they still in good condition?

On rainy days, I always change out my tea for my homemade hot cocoa. I’ll need to have that on hand, too.

Some autumn pantry staples you might want to check include:

• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• cloves
• vanilla
• favorite baking supplies
• broth
• beans
• grains
• canned tomatoes
• tea
• cocoa
• whatever represents autumn cooking in your household

You don’t necessarily need to buy all of these. Start by seeing what you already have.

7. Prepare Your Skin and Body for Drier Weather

Your autumn skincare routine may need some adjustments as temperatures, humidity, and your environment change. For many of us, cooler weather also means drier air — and our skin may begin asking for something different. Exfoliation can be helpful throughout the year, but your routine may need adjusting as the seasons change. Removing the buildup of dead surface skin cells can help your skin feel smoother and prepare it for the moisturizing products that follow.

You may also find that the lightweight moisturizer you loved during summer isn’t quite enough anymore. Perhaps your skin is asking for a richer formula. Maybe your body needs a little more attention from lotions, creams, or oils.

That doesn’t mean everyone needs to change products simply because the calendar says autumn. Climate, skin type, environment, and your individual needs matter. Pay attention to what your skin is telling you. If you’re not sure what changes would be best for your skin, a skincare consultation can provide some guidance.

8. Prepare Your Mind and Schedule for the Autumn Shift

Everything in life seems to come back to our mindset. How we transition matters. Change is inevitable — ready or not. But change can also be beautiful. Every season has its positive vibes. That’s where we can choose to focus our attention as we prepare for the new rhythm of autumn.

Shorter daylight. School schedules—even if you don’t have students, there’s more activity on the road, so we’re all affected by back-to-school season. Activities. Holidays approaching. Different demands on our time. We can adjust to them, but give yourself—and others—grace along the way. And remember: it’s a season, not permanence.

Acknowledge this: We don’t need to change everything on September 1. Look ahead. Notice what’s changing. Decide what needs attention. Then start making small adjustments.

You Don’t Have to Do It All Today

Preparing for autumn isn’t about rushing summer out the door or completing a giant seasonal checklist in one weekend. In Los Angeles, September can still bring very hot temperatures. We’ve experienced triple-digit September days before, and you may still have high heat where you live, too. So you don’t need to have everything ready immediately.

That’s not the point. The point is to start taking inventory now while there’s still time. Nature doesn’t make the shift from summer to autumn overnight, and neither do we. Start with one or two things that need your attention and go from there.

What’s one thing you do every year to help yourself make the shift from summer to autumn?

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Watch: Are You Ready for Autumn?

Prefer to listen? In this Tuesday Tea episode, I talked about making the shift from summer to autumn and some of the little things we can begin doing now.

About Evelyn

Hi, I’m Evelyn!

For more than 26 years, I’ve been helping women over 40 care for their skin with confidence. Through Purple Essence By Evelyn, I share practical skincare education, healthy wellness habits, and intentional self-care to help women age well with grace, confidence, and purpose.

Whether you’re looking for skincare and wellness tips, product recommendations, or simple ways to prioritize yourself, I’m here to help you build a routine that’s effective, enjoyable, and easy to maintain.

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