Autumn Reset Challenge: Personal & social reset

Autumn Reset Challenge by Penny Golightly Week 3 personal and social reset

Welcome to Week Three of our Autumn Reset Challenge, for making a few changes without breaking the bank. This week is the personal and social reset, the last phase of the challenge activities.

Autumn typically has a ‘back to school’ feeling, but it’s also a time for seasonal events and making plans.

This part of the challenge has five different activities to work through. Here they are:

Seasonal fun and treats
Books, media and arts
Social diary
Community contribution
Self care goals

Work through these five sections, and keep it as simple and easy as you like.

Seasonal fun and treats

pumpkin farm go pumpkin picking in October

The first part of this week’s challenge is to choose one seasonal activity to enjoy, and book it into your diary. Ideally complete your chosen ‘seasonal fun’ activity during the next month.

Autumn means different things to different people, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

Walk in a big park or gardens and enjoy the falling leaves
Go to a pumpkin farm, apple picking, blackberry or sloe picking, or visit a farmer’s market for seasonal produce
Bake something seasonal, such as cinnamon rolls or apple crumble
Go out for a pumpkin spice latte, hot chocolate or other seasonal drink
Plan a cosy night in on the sofa, with blankets, scented candles, etc

You can probably think of plenty more to do, depending on your hobbies, your budget and where you live. Make sure you pick your seasonal treat and put it in the diary!

Books, media and arts

Be inspired by the creative arts this season, and lose yourself in something immersive. Give it your full focus, and get started with one of these this week:

Buy or borrow a new season book, audiobook or ebook, or pre-order something from the library
Read a seasonal magazine or paper – buy in person or borrow via a library app, such as Libby (anything you like: science, fashion, crafting, food & drink, travel, home decorating etc)
Read a few reviews and choose a TV series to watch
Watch a classic, comfort or award-winning film (including old Blu-Rays, Freeview etc if you’re on a tight budget)
Book cinema tickets or apply for free screenings
Exhibitions: plan to visit an art gallery, photography exhibition, or a museum show (science, history, social movements, etc)
Events: book tickets for a show, such as a play, music, comedy, dance, cabaret, musical, or a lecture or talk

What will you choose? Staying in, or going out? Or maybe doing both?

Social diary

Plan one or two sociable events too, even if you’re starting to get the urge to hibernate. Pick one low key / low effort thing this week, and one medium-sized event for during the next month. Any more than that is up to you, depending on available time and funds.

Ideally, do more than swapping a few superficial WhatsApp messages, and think about things that foster a deeper sense of connection with others.

A few ideas for your social diary:

Arrange to meet a friend for coffee, a long walk, or a pint – have a proper catch up
Join something new, such as a book group, crafting croup, choir, running group or evening class – spend positive time with like-minded people
Invite people over for movie night, pasta night, a wine and cheese evening, a Halloween get together, pumpkin carving, making decorations, or anything else you want – it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive
Invite people along to any of the ‘Seasonal fun’ or ‘Media & arts’ activities mentioned in the sections above
Go out to a new restaurant or bar, brunch place, or an old favourite with a new menu
Say ‘yes’ to an invitation from a nice person or group this week, even if it isn’t something you’d have thought of yourself

Community contribution

Do something to contribute to your community or give back in some way over the next seven days, however small that might be.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Take a few items to a charity shop or local hub
Donate a small amount to charity
Go to a fundraising event, or help out at one
Improve your local environment: pick up litter, help clean a beach or river, help tidy up local gardens or a community allotment
Look for local or online volunteering opportunities
Sign up for something sponsored
Put something in the supermarket food bank donation box
Help out a friend or neighbour: pick up groceries, walk their dog, etc

Keep it uplifting, positive and kind.

Self care goals

The final section is all about self care, because you can’t pour from an empty cup. Choose a day and a time for looking after your physical or mental wellbeing, prioritising anything urgent or essential.

It’s completely up to you, but here are some starting points if you need some inspiration:

Make healthcare bookings: dentist, optician, hearing, routine medical, regular screening appointments
Schedule a morning lie-in or an early night
Choose a pyjama day or a reading day
‘Digital detox’ hour, evening, or day
Buy more fruit and vegetables, make a healthy menu for the week
Extra exercise: schedule a hike, some resistance training, a run with a friend, bike ride etc
Pamper night in front of the telly

Ideally, schedule in one easy activity you can do this week, and put one more thing in your diary if you can make the time.

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What are you thinking about doing for your personal and social reset week?

Have fun and enjoy everything.