Embracing the Shift: A Fall Reflection & Playlist

As fall settles in, I reflect on the beauty of embracing seasonal change accompanied by a 100-song playlist - the perfect soundtrack for cozy autumn days.

Hellooo,

Long time, no picks. The start of this semester has flown by—especially September. It feels like a transitional month, where the chaos of August still lingers, and the rhythm of midterm season hasn’t fully settled in. For those of us still in school, and maybe even for those post-grad, September can feel like a blur. It’s a month that arrives and leaves so quickly, we often don’t get the chance to pause and acknowledge where our time went. As I look back on it, I realize how easy it is to get swept up in the flow and forget to be present. Without taking a moment to reflect, I miss the significance of welcoming October, of consciously embracing the turning of the seasons. There’s a quiet beauty in that, in noticing how time shifts, how we shift with it.

Right now, with the hurricane brewing outside, you might be hunkered down at home—whether your power’s out or you just haven’t felt the need to leave your bed today (no judgment here). Or maybe the second the rain paused, you were back out the door and back to work (couldn’t be me, stay safe though). Either way, this kind of forced pause can be an invitation. What better time to imagine the air a little crisper, the world outside a little cozier, and settle into the warm embrace of autumn?

Fall is, hands down, my favorite season. From the vibrant orange of the leaves to the comforting feel of a sweater, it all feels like a season made for reflection. Pumpkin is a top-tier flavor, and the sharpness of the fall breeze is a reminder that change can feel good. There’s a certain kind of melancholy in fall music—songs filled with love, heartbreak, longing, and hope. The saudade feels different during autumn; it’s a kind of nostalgia that’s comforting, even in its sadness.

Every year, I curate a Fall playlist—a mix of cozy classics and new discoveries that capture the mood of the season. This year, I’ve put together a 100-song playlist that reflects all those autumnal feelings. Music, I think, is one of the best ways to ground ourselves in the present, to honor the passage of time and the changing of the seasons.

The easiest way to fend off seasonal gloom is to lean into the magic of each season—romanticize it, live in it fully. So, here’s to Fall. Enjoy.

(open in Spotify cause I'll definitely add songs or make changes)

In every breath, the season calls,
To quiet hearts, in quiet falls,
The world exhaling, slow and small,
In reverence for the coming fall.