The season of trasitions, new beginnings and second chances is here and so are we, with another article, that hopefully helps you make the most out of this beautiful time. As the temperatures become just right and the wind soothing, we all finally start feeling a bit functional and even liking our life for what it is. Now before the colder days of winter take over our productivity, it is very important to take full advantage of the few pleasant days that autumn brings our way and create a doable creative ritual that you can easily carry forward to the colder months as well.
What this ritual does for you is, it makes it easier for you to maintain your creative output even in winters when the world becomes a little dull and all you wish to do is lie in your bed all day.
Here is how to go about it:
What this ritual does for you is, it makes it easier for you to maintain your creative output even in winters when the world becomes a little dull and all you wish to do is lie in your bed all day.
Here is how to go about it:
GROUND YOURSELF IN THE SEASON
1. Take a nature walk and collect seasonal inspiration
Take pictures of plants, birds, insects that suddenly start showing up as the season changes. Any other things that are personal to you for the seasonal shift like a certain favourite sweater, can also go in your camera roll. Collect other items like dried leaves and add all of these in your journal that can later on become prompts for your artwork.
2. Choose a comfort beverage to accompany your creative time
Whether it’s masala chai, hot chocolate, coffee or just some sweet warm milk, have a cup of your favourite beverage every time you sit down to work or create something. This helps transfer the feelings of warmth and coziness associated with the drink onto your work, making it seem more inviting!
3. Set the mood with warm lighting
Add fairy lights, table lamps, or lanterns to soften your space and ease into slower rhythms. Warm lighting not only makes your space more cozy, but also creates a sense of emotional safety, calmness and reduces overstimulation.
4. Use seasonal scents to shift your energy
Light incense, use a diffuser, or dab on a wintery perfume like clove, vetiver, cinnamon, or sandalwood. They work beautifully to mark the beginning of your ritual. It’s a non-verbal cue that tells your body: “This is creative time.” Over time, this builds a habit loop that makes it easier to enter a state of flow.
Take pictures of plants, birds, insects that suddenly start showing up as the season changes. Any other things that are personal to you for the seasonal shift like a certain favourite sweater, can also go in your camera roll. Collect other items like dried leaves and add all of these in your journal that can later on become prompts for your artwork.
2. Choose a comfort beverage to accompany your creative time
Whether it’s masala chai, hot chocolate, coffee or just some sweet warm milk, have a cup of your favourite beverage every time you sit down to work or create something. This helps transfer the feelings of warmth and coziness associated with the drink onto your work, making it seem more inviting!
3. Set the mood with warm lighting
Add fairy lights, table lamps, or lanterns to soften your space and ease into slower rhythms. Warm lighting not only makes your space more cozy, but also creates a sense of emotional safety, calmness and reduces overstimulation.
4. Use seasonal scents to shift your energy
Light incense, use a diffuser, or dab on a wintery perfume like clove, vetiver, cinnamon, or sandalwood. They work beautifully to mark the beginning of your ritual. It’s a non-verbal cue that tells your body: “This is creative time.” Over time, this builds a habit loop that makes it easier to enter a state of flow.
REFLECT AND RECENTRE
5. Write about what you’re ready to let go of this season
Habits, projects, relationships and personal items that no longer serve you go in this list. This list can then be burnt or buried in the soil. This should follow a physical decluttering of your space, further followed by a mental one. Writing down about what new you would like to add to your life this season would be a cherry on top of your ritual. This helps you enter the new season with more intentionality.
6. Start a pen-pal ritual with a friend or fellow artist
This one is a personal fav that I am really looking forward to this season! Sending your friends an envelope containing your thoughts on the season, some random sketches for them, stickers and other trinkets, will not only give you an opportunity to create something meaningful but also strengthen your relationship with them. You can either do this digitally or exchange it on one of your hangouts! (pinterest prompt: Cute penpal letter ideas)
Habits, projects, relationships and personal items that no longer serve you go in this list. This list can then be burnt or buried in the soil. This should follow a physical decluttering of your space, further followed by a mental one. Writing down about what new you would like to add to your life this season would be a cherry on top of your ritual. This helps you enter the new season with more intentionality.
6. Start a pen-pal ritual with a friend or fellow artist
This one is a personal fav that I am really looking forward to this season! Sending your friends an envelope containing your thoughts on the season, some random sketches for them, stickers and other trinkets, will not only give you an opportunity to create something meaningful but also strengthen your relationship with them. You can either do this digitally or exchange it on one of your hangouts! (pinterest prompt: Cute penpal letter ideas)
CREATE WITH THE SEASON
7. Switch to warmer, earthy tones in your creative work
Think rust, ochre, deep green, indigo, and muted browns. Choose a palette that reflects the season’s mood. This not only allows you to expand your palette as an artist but also encourages you experiment and challenge yourself creatively.
8. Explore a tactile, hands-on hobby
Hobbies like embroidery, knitting and crocheting helps you slow down and improves your focus. They help you create something that can later on be used or gifted as well as adding to your skillset.
9. Make one seasonal artwork each month
Let the changing light, festivals, or winter textures guide your themes for your pieces. Create just one artwork in any medium with one motif from the season that sums up your month. This allows you to store a visual memory of your month to look back on fondly.
10. Curate a seasonal playlist to support your creative flow
A playlist with songs that capture the vibes of the season would be ideal to romanticise the onset of the season. It could be anything from festive pop, nature’s lofi, mystical music to soothing R&B, nostalgic beats or even a mix of everything.
Think rust, ochre, deep green, indigo, and muted browns. Choose a palette that reflects the season’s mood. This not only allows you to expand your palette as an artist but also encourages you experiment and challenge yourself creatively.
8. Explore a tactile, hands-on hobby
Hobbies like embroidery, knitting and crocheting helps you slow down and improves your focus. They help you create something that can later on be used or gifted as well as adding to your skillset.
9. Make one seasonal artwork each month
Let the changing light, festivals, or winter textures guide your themes for your pieces. Create just one artwork in any medium with one motif from the season that sums up your month. This allows you to store a visual memory of your month to look back on fondly.
10. Curate a seasonal playlist to support your creative flow
A playlist with songs that capture the vibes of the season would be ideal to romanticise the onset of the season. It could be anything from festive pop, nature’s lofi, mystical music to soothing R&B, nostalgic beats or even a mix of everything.
STAYING ACCOUNTABLE( BUT GENTLY)
11. Use a cozy habit tracker to stay consistent
Either custom make a habit tracker with cute doodles, cozy colours and stickers or download cozy habit tracking apps for yourself(my personal fav is Meow Todo). You can also print out already made habit trackers from pinterest to work with. Just make sure to not overwhelm yourself with an unrealistically long list of habits. Start small and reward yourself regularly for committing to a habit.
Either custom make a habit tracker with cute doodles, cozy colours and stickers or download cozy habit tracking apps for yourself(my personal fav is Meow Todo). You can also print out already made habit trackers from pinterest to work with. Just make sure to not overwhelm yourself with an unrealistically long list of habits. Start small and reward yourself regularly for committing to a habit.
More than productivity, this creative reset ritual is about being present. It’s a way to honour the season, your energy, and your evolving creative voice. Whether you light a candle, switch your palette, or send a letter to a friend, what matters is that it feels real and repeatable.
Start small. Choose one or two practices that resonate. Let them become part of your rhythm this winter. And remember! Your ritual doesn’t need to be perfect, it should just feel like you 😊
Start small. Choose one or two practices that resonate. Let them become part of your rhythm this winter. And remember! Your ritual doesn’t need to be perfect, it should just feel like you 😊
Prakriti
Prakriti loves to engage with all things creative, from coding and content to art workshops and research. She helps keep the website updated, contributes writeups for newsletters, and explore ideas that blend tech, emotion, and design. Always experimenting, often multitasking, she’s driven by curiosity and a love for making things that truly connect.
Keep your inspiration alive!
Discover more from our Artchives
0 comments