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Good news. Meg Ryan Fall is here. And, yes, that means we'll be cuddling up in our comfiest clothes and settling in to watch our fave cosy rom-coms. But embracing Meg Ryan Fall isn't just about watching nostalgic, cosy classics. It's also a state of mind. It's about putting on “Dreams" by The Cranberries and taking a quiet stroll through your neighbourhood. It's about going out just to buy a pumpkin from the local market. It's about spending a whole afternoon sitting on a bench reading a good book. It's about taking a whole afternoon to sting up some fairy lights.
Life can get pretty hectic. An endless stream of buzzes and notifications and flashing screens and honking cars. It's no wonder we all like to disappear into a cosy classic every now and then. And there's something about the cool autumn air that is prime for a slower, more mindful pace of life.
In fact, a little wholesome mindfulness is something we all seem to be craving. According to the National Trust, memberships have increased by 35% among young people who claim that nature brings “a sense of calm, safety and connection.” Last December, meanwhile, Digital Health found that 64% of millennials practice dedicated activities to achieve mindfulness. And, over on social media, the idea of “wholesomeness” has been slowly taking off for the past few years. In other words, we are all desperate for some cosy Meg Ryan Fall energy.
Here are 8 ‘granny’ hobbies to help you get more mindful this autumn.
Make a craft
When was the last time you made a craft just for the fun of it? Get creative with pipe cleaners, threads, ribbons, you name it. Make something weird and wonderful. You never know what the process might unlock.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, crafting is back in, especially amongst comfort-seeking young people. As the BBC notes, there is a real crafting boom amongst the Gen Z crowd, who are turning to embroidery to upcycle vintage clothes and extend the lives of clothes they already own. And, according to the Association for Creative Industries (AFCI), 63 percent of US households participated in at least one craft activity last year. Another survey found that 29% of Gen Z-ers claim to enjoy arts & crafts.
Over on TikTok, you can see all of this in action. DIY crafting videos fill the platform, with some how-to videos garnering millions of likes. And plenty of celebs are getting on board, too. Just take Serena Williams who likes to unwind with pottery or Michaela Coel who makes her own clothes.
Explore the local shops
How often do you spend an afternoon poking around the local high street. Visit the local bookshop. The charity shops. The boutiques. The market. Treat yourself to an overpriced piece of homeware and a pastry. Take your time.
While this may sound like we're just romanticising shopping, it's worth noting that using local shops mindfully is officially good for your mental wellbeing. One writer tried switching from the big supermarket to her local shops and discovered the benefits herself. “It felt so nice to walk into a shop and see somebody smile at me and wish me a ‘Good morning,’” she wrote for The Positive Psychology People. She later added, “Over the last 10 years I’ve lived mostly on my own, and whilst I do have a busy social calendar, I often miss the day to day interactions with people., so going to a local shop where I feel welcome and have a brief conversation with the shopkeeper makes a huge difference. I feel part of the community, I get to know what’s going on, I learn about local events, and I’ve made friends, not just with the shopkeeper, but other customers too.”
Attend a local workshop
Find a local workshop and learn a new skill. Pottery, painting, cooking, crocheting, you name it. You might meet some new people and you'll definitely come away feeling more creative and more connected.
If you're not sure where to start, there are plenty of apps that help you find activities. The Yes Gurl app, for instance, hosts evenings where you can meet new friends. You could try a fun fitness class like a drunk yoga class or queer line-dancing. You could join an adult choir or try a women's circle.
Go for an autumnal hike
Spend an entire Sunday enjoying the autumn air. Lace up your hiking boots, grab some layers and head out to Hampstead Heath, to the Thames path, or further afield. Treat yourself to a coffee as you start out and enjoy the sights and the changes in the air as autumn approaches.
Even if you can't wrangle a group together, there are options! For instance, you could try a group hike with strangers, which is a great way to get outside and meet some new people — or, you can keep to yourself but still get the feeling of community.
Looking for inspo to get you in the mood? Just take it from the celebs. “The countryside, particularly, is very good for my head," said the oh so wise Kate Winslet. Audrey Hepburn was a fan of a solo hike: “I’m an introvert... I love being by myself, love being outdoors, love taking a long walk with my dogs and looking at the trees, flowers, the sky.” Lily Collins also loves nothing more than to enjoy the great outdoors. “Growing up in the English countryside, I feel like I’m in a Jane Austen novel when I walk. I just feel comfortable and confident in those surroundings.”
Decorate your home for autumn
Fairy lights, pumpkins, handmade paper decorations, lots and lots of candles. Spend a cosy Saturday afternoon bedecking your home in autumnal goodness.
While it may seem like a bit of a faff to redecorate for the new season, it can have real benefits. “I think it can keep you in love in with your house,” Mary Graham of Salvesen Graham told House & Garden. “In the winter you might have a lovely Welsh blanket on your bed, instead of the white cotton bedspread that you had in the summer, and suddenly that room has a different feeling and you are back in love with it.”
Take up knitting
There's nothing quite so meditative as the steady flow state you get into while knitting. Plus, you'll get a one-of-a-kind homemade knit goody out of the effort. Make a hat, a pair of mittens, or even a classic cableknit jumper.
Countless celebs have hopped aboard the trend, including Demi Lovato, Cara Delevingne, Meryl Streep, Claire Danes and Christina Hendricks. Oh, and of course the iconic Tom Daley, who even credited his love of knitting with helping him win Olympic medals: “Thank you to all my fellow stitchers. Learning to knit and crochet has helped me so much through these Olympics and we won GOLD yesterday.”
It depicts a 40-year-old woman's steamy fling with a young hipster.
Take yourself out for lunch
Pull a Carrie Bradshaw and go out for lunch. Sit on a patio in your best autumnal jacket. Order a glass of red. Watch the world go by. And, please, no doomscrolling.
It's a practice that some call “solo dating.” And, yes, according to the experts, it can be really good for you. “There is self-compassion, but there is also really liking yourself and enjoying time with yourself,” Lynn Zakeri, a social worker and therapist, told us. “By solo dating, you get to know yourself deeper and change your relationship with yourself.”
Whip up a Sunday roast
Splurge on good ingredients from local shops and give yourself lots of time to really focus on each dish. Follow a recipe in cookbook and keep screens far away. Whack on a jazzy playlist. Pour yourself a large glass of something. Enjoy the process of cooking without the usual mid-week rush.
As Dawn O'Porter previously told us, the act of mindfully cooking a Sunday meal really is therapeutic. “Every Sunday, my husband and I entertain friends and family, whether it’s a roast lunch for four or a party for 20, and the more people I can feed, the better,” she said. “For larger crowds, I’ll do a big spread with slow-cooked pork or a barbecue with homemade coleslaw, plus kids’ options. My auntie, who raised me, is a wonderful cook. She’s taught me to love food, and the way it’s made, and I’m so grateful. It’s why I enjoy filling the house with divine smells before guests arrive, and watching them chow down and chat in a setting I’ve created. Ok, I just bloody love being the host, and I’m a bit of a control freak about it.”
