Florida fall: How to celebrate the season in the Sunshine State

I came to Florida in 2021 to get my undergraduate degree, and with that left behind some of the signs of my favorite season. Leaves falling turned into flowers blooming. Rainy gray days turned into “sunny and 75.” Chilly frosty mornings turned into just bearable heat. 

Needless to say, it has been difficult to feel the seasons changing in the sunshine state. I was unwilling, however, to let this mean skipping my favorite season. Therefore, I have come up with five ways to get into the spirit of autumn, even during a Florida fall. 

1. Dress to impress

Dressing for a Florida fall is all about strategy. It is important to use fall colors, rather than fall materials. Find some light dresses in red, orange, or mustard yellow. Look for linen pants in dark browns and evergreen. The cozy sweater is an irresistible fall look, so pair it with some shorts or short skirts.

No need to toss all your fall gear, simply layer less and let the “fallness” of the pieces stand on their own. For example, those sweater vests that have been so in season? Simply wear it without a shirt underneath and rock it as a tank top! Even though you’re not fighting off the chill with your sweater, it will still help you get in the mood!

2. Pumpkin spice and everything nice

Just because the leaves aren’t falling doesn’t mean you have to go without your favorite fall classics. Pumpkin spice, chai, cinnamon and more are all still viable options. In fact, you can be creative and have an iced chai, an iced pumpkin spice, or try some pumpkin ice cream.

Bake yourself a pie, or go out and buy some pumpkin bread from the store. Opt for a pumpkin cheesecake. Find something maple and savor it with a copy of Little Women or Anne of Green Gables. It’s amazing how much a slice of apple pie or a hazelnut coffee or caramel coffee creamer can get you in the fall mood. 

3. It makes scents 

The lack of crisp, cool air does not mean you can’t bring the fall smell into your space. Buy some candles to light in the evenings. Not only will they make your home smell lovely, but they will also add ambiance. 

Don’t stop at candles; spend a few extra dollars and buy seasonal hand soap or a bathroom air freshener, to give you that cozy fall scent. The smell will bring back memories, and with them sensations of fall that would otherwise be lost. 

4. Make space for fall

Floridians don’t skip out on Christmas trees, so why eschew fall decorations? Pulling out your fall pillows or your autumnal kitchen towels can really help you get in the cozy, fall mood. A few pinecones, some pumpkins, some fall-colored flowers or faux foliage, all contribute to making your space feel like fall — even if it is 85° outside. 

Don’t be ashamed to put up some wreathes, fall leaves, and make your space feel like fall. Creating a beautiful, cozy atmosphere does wonders for helping you transition into the fall mood. 

5. For everything there is a season

Why is it so important to get into the mood of the fall season? It might seem frivolous or unimportant to put up fall decorations or buy a fall candle. Is a pumpkin spice latte really that important? I would argue that transitioning from season to season is not simply physical, it’s also spiritual.

It’s important to take time to notice the little changes in life, those little transitions that ensure we keep paying attention to life as it passes. Life is hard and can be draining; it is important to celebrate the little things, the passing of the seasons, the taste of pumpkin spice, and the smell of cinnamon. These physical things, while they might seem frivolous, signal to our souls that something is changing — that it is time for reflection, for renewed resolutions, and maybe just a bit more pumpkin spice.