Here’s a fun little October challenge that will help you romanticize your days, get outside, and create intentional cozy time in your space. Let’s begin fall in style!
If you know me even a little, you’ll know that October has my whole heart. Out of all twelve months, this is the one I look forward to the most.
The weather is finally perfect, and we’re in the middle of the lovely summer-fall transition.
You can head outside without melting off, start doing cozy things, and start prepping for the holidays.
It won’t be a stretch to say that it’s the beginning of the happiest time of the year for me.
And yet, every year, when I look back on October, I realize I don’t do the things that I actually want to do.
I am so happy basking in the vibes that I let the days kind of slip by. And while bliss can be good, being intentional can be even better.
So, this year, I am creating a fun October challenge, comprising all the activities that would make this month an ideal start of fall.
In this post, you’ll find a new task for every day of October that will make the whole month a good mix of healthy, spooky, cozy, and fun.
You’ll find yourself stepping out of the house, sitting down in your room for some cozy me-time, and making plans to meet up with a friend.
So light a candle, grab your favourite drink, and let’s make this October one to remember!
30-Day October Challenge
Day 1: Create your monthly bucket list
Write down everything you want to experience this month. Having it on paper will make you far more likely to actually do it.
You can also just write down the tasks in this post and consider it your October bucket list!
Day 2: Start your morning with a warm drink and sip slowly
Whether it’s coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or herbal tea, spend at least ten minutes enjoying it without scrolling on your phone.
Sitting by the window is highly recommended.
Day 3: Take an hour-long autumn walk
Head outside for your first October walk, and enjoy the lovely weather.
Listen to a cozy album (like Evermore) or tune into a podcast episode that talks about the beginning of fall.
Day 4: Read for 30 minutes
Choose a book that matches the season’s vibe, like a mystery, fantasy, thriller, or cozy romance.
Let yourself get lost in it for 30 minutes, and pick it up again going forward whenever you have free time.
Day 5: Decorate one corner of your home
Add a candle, fairy lights, a tiny pumpkin, or some autumn leaves to one space of your house where you can see yourself spending time in.
If you don’t have any decor, order some or get out to buy just one little thing that will brighten up your space.
Day 6: Spend two hours phone-free
Put your phone away and use that time to bake, journal, read, walk, or enjoy being present.
Your main task is to be off your phone for two hours (and no, your nap time doesn’t count).
Day 7: Watch a cozy movie
Pick a Halloween classic, a mystery, or your favourite feel-good autumn film and make an evening of it with snacks and a blanket.
If you don’t have time for a full movie, an episode of Gilmore Girls counts too!
Day 8: Visit a bookstore (or browse books online at home)
Today is all about immersing yourself in the world of books. Go to a cute bookstore or library and just look around.
If going out isn’t possible, then sit down in your room and spend an hour browsing books online, creating a Fall TBR list on Goodreads, and ordering a book or two that really intrigue you.
Day 9: Wear your favourite autumn outfit
Forget creating a huge fall wardrobe for now. Just put your energy into creating the best fall outfit you can from your own wardrobe.
Put it on after your shower, and head out for a walk or a coffee, or just frolick in your home feeling nice.
Day 10: Watch the sunrise or sunset
Any kind of challenge is incomplete without a sunrise or sunset moment.
Leave the house on time, find a beautiful view, and stay there enjoying the sun rising or setting.
Feel free to pack a hot drink in a thermos. It goes really well with the sun view.
Day 11: Listen to a full fall-themed album
No better way to absorb a season’s vibes than to listen to music that feels like the season itself.
Now, you can listen to a fall playlist, sure, but an album is very put-together and makes you slow down in a way that random songs don’t.
A couple of recommendations from me:
- Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers
- Evermore by Taylor Swift (perfect to feel the fall-winter transition)
- Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Day 12: Cook a proper meal at home
Instead of grabbing something from outside or making just whatever, prepare a meal you enjoy.
Maybe make a quick dessert if you’re feeling like it, and enjoy it while watching something cozy on TV.
Day 13: Journal about this year
Write about how far you’ve come since January, what you’ve learned, and what you still hope to accomplish before the year ends.
This will help you make the last few days of the year more mindful and healthy.
Day 14: Visit somewhere new
Explore a cafe, bookstore, park, walking trail, or neighbourhood that you’ve never been to before.
But remember, you just have to slow down a bit and really take it all in. Grab a coffee or a snack from a stand while you’re at it. Ultimate fall vibes!
Day 15: Complete a 30-minute workout
It can be a YouTube workout, or a walk or jog outdoors. Pick whatever sounds fun to you.
And for 30 minutes, move your body without any need to be perfect.
Celebrate afterwards with a nourishing meal and plenty of water.
Day 16: Bake something that smells like autumn
Cookies, banana bread, cinnamon rolls, muffins—anything that fills your home with cozy scents.
You can share it with a neighbour or a friend and start spreading the holiday cheer in advance.
Day 17: Make someone’s day better
Leave a thoughtful message, buy someone coffee, compliment a stranger, or call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.
Love, kindness, and positivity level up the more you share them.
Day 18: Tune into a podcast while finishing a chore
Usually, I am not one to multitask or promote it, but listening to a podcast while doing a chore? Major fall energy.
Play a cozy episode (something on October reset or start of fall), and finish a pending chore, like laundry, cleaning, or washing the dishes.
Productivity and coziness wrapped in one!
Day 19: Go leaf hunting
Whenever you have half an hour to spare in the evening, go out for a walk.
Collect the prettiest autumn leaves you can find and press them inside a journal or book as little October keepsakes.
Day 20: Have a cup of tea in the evening
Even if you’re a coffee person, a cup of tea never hurts the body.
Make it healthy, or make it sugary and milky (whatever way you like it). And sit down to enjoy it in quiet.
This is my favorite me-time activity of all time, and I do this almost every day in fall and winter.
Day 21: Declutter 21 things in your house
21 things may seem like a lot, but believe me, once you start, you’ll easily keep finding stuff to declutter.
Tackle your wardrobe, desk, drawer, shoe rack, handbag, and backpack. Clear out all the clothes, papers, makeup, or random junk that’s been sitting in there.
A cozy room feels even better when it’s tidy!
Day 22: Have a fall self-care session
After all that decluttering on the previous day, you deserve a self-care session. Make it fall-themed in honor of the season!
Take a warm shower, wear comfy clothes, light a candle, turn on a fall vlog in the background, do a face mask, make a warm drink, and spend the evening doing something relaxing.
Day 23: Reach 10,000 steps
I know everyone says walking 10k should be a daily requirement, but I am not able to prioritize it every day. But once a month is easily doable.
For day 23 of this October challenge, get yourself to cover 10k steps whatever way you can.
Take the scenic route, climb the stairs, pace your apartment, listen to an autumn playlist or podcast, and enjoy being outside while the weather is at its best!
Day 24: Do a peaceful guided meditation
What’s a challenge without a meditation session? It’s the one activity that can truly soothe you from the inside and bring you the calm that you deserve.
Without thinking too much about it, just find a comfortable spot, hit play on a guided meditation (like the one below), and let yourself be surrounded by peace.
Day 25: Start a new habit
Now that there’s only one week left in October, it’s the perfect time to pick up a habit that you can carry with you for the rest of the year and into the new year.
Morning hydration, journaling, night skincare — pick up whatever you have been slacking off with or haven’t done before, and keep up with it every day going forward.
Day 26: Make an autumn memory with someone
Okay, time to make plans with a friend and create a pretty autumn memory with them.
You can host a cozy movie night at your home, visit a cafe for a pumpkin latte, go thrifting, or take a walk together while having a good conversation.
Day 27: Do a 10-minute stretching routine
Set the timer to 10 minutes and then stretch your body like a cat (seriously).
You can let your body guide your movements, or follow a stretch routine on YouTube. Your body will thank you for this.
Day 28: Write a gratitude list
List thirty things (big or small) that have made this year brighter and happier for you.
Even if most of the days weren’t good this year, you’ll be surprised how many things you can find if you let yourself really look and be more appreciative.
Related post: 30 Day Gratitude Challenge To Love Your Life More
Day 29: Indulge in an analog hobby
Paint, crochet, knit, colour, journal, or try any hobby that gets you away from screens.
Your real life is outside the digital world, and October is the best month to practice living there more.
Day 30: Plan your cozy season
Before October ends, make a list of everything you want to experience during November and December.
The magic shouldn’t stop when the calendar changes.
Day 31: Celebrate Halloween your way
Is there anything else to do on 31st October than celebrate Halloween? Nope.
Carve pumpkins, visit a Halloween event, have a spooky movie marathon, wear a fun outfit, and enjoy everything you love most about this festival.
If that means binge eating candies on the couch, then so be it!
Alright, so that was all for the October challenge. Feel free to customize this or ditch some days when you are too busy or wanna do something else.
The point of this is to just make October more eventful and exciting for you.
Wishing you a cozy, happy, and spooky month ahead!
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