It’s November, the sun is down at 5 p.m., the semester feels endless, Thanksgiving break is still a few weeks away and football season wraps up, for better or worse. It’s that in-between time where Halloween is over, and it isn’t Mariah Carey’s time of year yet.

For some, November is the worst time of the year. But for the people who enjoy the month the most, they lean on mini traditions or routines to make the season more memorable.

What if small traditions are what ground us when November rolls around and we are just waiting for the semester to end rather than actually enjoying the time we have left?

Here are a few ways to build small traditions throughout the weeks and months to feel more grounded, joyful, present and most of all, to stop wishing away any of it. 

First, colder weather means the less effort, the better. Sitting outside with a cup of tea for five minutes before class or a fall walk with a roommate at 4 p.m. before the sun goes down are simple and meaningful ways to add slowness and a sense of peace back into the day without adding much effort.

Watching a fall romantic comedy on a Wednesday once the sun goes down inspires enjoyment and coziness. 

An hour of basketball or pickleball outside on Sunday afternoon gets muscles moving and simultaneously creates memories.

A week of planned mini-traditions is a great option too. It might look like going on a run, taking a new route outside with a friend once or twice a week and watching “Dancing with the Stars” every Tuesday with a group of friends. Simple. Easy. But so anchoring.

An ideal schedule might look like choosing something for yourself, something to stay active and something social. It can be game-changer for the months that feel long. 

Keeping it up every week, though, that’s the hard part! Staying consistent keeps the fall enjoyable while managing when motivation is low and school is tough.

So although fall brings a lot of transition, deadlines and stress, keeping things like self-care and being social, novel, enjoyable and prioritized doesn’t have to be so hard. It just needs to be planned.