This fall, I’ve got things to do. I’ve got sights to see, teams to coach, memories to cherish, and work to accomplish. With all of the extra things on my plate, I’d like to manifest a list of items that I’d like to accomplish this season—think it, believe it, achieve it.
Here are my goals and bucket list items for this fall.
Go on a scenic hike
You may or may not have noticed a lack of outdoor adventuring posts this summer from me. Honestly, life has felt crazy and we’ve mostly opted out of our usual weekend hikes. (I posted more about this on Instagram.)
Though I think it has been helpful for us to take a little step back and prioritize other things, fall is my favorite time of year to explore the outdoors and get outside; I hope that we’re able to squeeze in at least one weekend hike to see some gorgeous fall colors. We’ll be busier than ever, but this one is important.

Channel my inner Ted Lasso with the softball team
The softball season has officially started and I’m navigating my way as an assistant coach. There have been challenges so far—the big one: only seven girls showed up to practice the first week.
My goal is to make this fall an incredible experience for all the kids and show them how cool being part of a team can be. We badly need a culture with this three-school squad, and I want to channel my favorite fictional coach to do so. If there’s anything I’ve learned from Apple TV’s Ted Lasso, is that there’s power in positivity, compassion, and encouragement. I can do it.
Have fun, be basic
There is no shame in enjoying popular things! This fall, I want to enjoy being “basic,” whether that means ample plaid, sipping pumpkin spice lattes, posing for Instagram, and enjoying all of the themed activities at my disposal. If it’s wrong to enjoy fall in these ways, I don’t want to be right.
Do okay at fantasy football
Every year I play fantasy football in a re-draft league with Chad and several of our friends and family. I normally start out pretty strong, but go downhill fast as I lose interest or prioritize other things going on in my life.
I want to be even just a little bit better this year, especially as I join another league with our neighbors. It comes down a little bit to pride, but mostly because fantasy football means so much to Chad and I’d like to make him proud.
Celebrate us
Fall is always special to my relationship with Chad. This year feels monumental—we’re celebrating 10 years of being together on November 4. I can’t believe it! From age 16 to 26. We also will have our 4-year wedding anniversary on September 16.
The bottom line: we’ll be really, really busy. I’d love to find a very special way to celebrate us—where we’ve been, where we’re at, and all the amazing places we’re going.

Be my best self
This might be a little cheesy, but here are the real goals I have. I feel as though priorities tend to shift as the weather gets colder and seasons change—I’d like to stay strong and kick ass regardless.
- Exercise daily. Who knows, maybe softball will keep me on top of this. I’m trying to figure out a new routine and figure out a mix of consistent cardio and at-home lifting.
- Keep up at work. With softball practices starting at 4:30 p.m. an hour away, I’ll have to be done working each day by at least 3:15. That will be an extreme adjustment, and I’ll have to really shift things around to focus on morning productivity. I think this will be incredibly challenging for me as a non-morning person and champion of working later to accommodate this.
- Write my butt off. I’ve been hired as a magazine writer for Glenwood Springs and Carbondale Magazines! I didn’t even apply, lol, they reached out to me. I’ll likely be writing as many as 15 articles due November 9, so this will be a massive challenge. Let’s get the writing show on the road!
- Eating healthy. As Chad and I are busy, our eating habits suffer. We default to whatever is easiest when we don’t have the energy, motivation, or creative capacity to do more. I think we’ll have to really plan and coordinate to make sure that we have healthy options on hand (rather than frozen sweet potato fries, lol).
- Read! If I remember correctly, I started a 2021 reading challenge and I am several books behind. Now’s the time to play a little catch up.
Carve a pumpkin
I know, I know: this is way down the line. This is end-of-fall kind of vibes. I don’t mean to rush things, but I haven’t carved a pumpkin in a really long time and I would especially like to this year.
Plan a clever Halloween costume
Again! One far into the fall season. I want to come up with a clever and fun Halloween costume that involves me, Chad, and Wally once again.
Note: in the past I’ve taken some pride with my group costumes. We’ve been Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable, Jim and Pam from the Office, Peralta and Santiago from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Danny and Sandy from Grease, and many, many more (lol). Last year we were postal service workers and Wally was our package. 🙂
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What’s on your fall to-do list?
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