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Y’all, I am so excited to share with you the general method with which I approach the changing seasons during the year. The saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is applicable here.

My personality is one that welcomes changes and new problems to solve, and so I look forward to the puzzle of a new season. I have learned over the years what areas to consider and take steps to prepare for in order to have a generally (can’t plan for everything) smoother season.

Last spring I shared the questions I ask in order to intentionally transition seasons, and many of y’all were excited about them too. So, as I worked on transitioning our home from summer to fall over the past couple of weeks, I added a few more questions, and updated them into an accessible format for others to use as well.

Continue reading to see each of the ten questions, as well as a brief explanation, and to get a free copy of the the seasonal reset questions you can use in your own home.

Seasonal Reset Method

10 Questions to Intentionally Prepare for A New Season: 

1. What atmosphere do I want to cultivate in this season? 

I love starting the process with this question because it’s less practical, but no less important. Looking ahead at the upcoming season, what are some words I would like to describe the atmosphere in our home? How do I want to feel? What would I like my family to feel? Cozy? Adventurous? Safe? Hopeful? At peace?

Once I have an overall encompassing word to describe the atmosphere, I can consider how to cultivate that in our home. This can be done through all the senses– with certain smells and cooking aromas, with textiles, with artwork and messaging on the walls, and so on.

For example, now as we transition from summer to fall, two major things are happening. Our weekly adventures and excursions become less frequent and often closer to home, and our homeschool is starting back.

So my goal at this time is to focus on giving our home a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes the transition to more days at home more pleasant and desirable. Fall is also a time when we start thinking about being comfortable and cozy in our spaces, though this is ramped up much more in the winter reset.

Fall is also a time for feasting and harvesting and enjoying special foods together. Even simply choosing artwork and related quotes on a chalkboard can increase our anticipation of these things. It truly can be as simple as that.

A display of wooden charcuterie boards to use as our lunch trays or for gatherings with friends, and an open prayer book help to create the atmosphere I’m looking for this season.

2. What clothing do I need to plan for, and accommodate spaces for in this season? 

On to a more practical question, CLOTHES. I think many parents reasonably dread the switching out of their kids’ clothes at the start of a new season. And yet, taking the time at the start of the season to carefully consider what the clothing needs will be is one of the best things you can do to ensure smoother sailing the rest of the season.

Now, you may not be able to purchase or acquire everything at once, but that is not the point.

The goal here is to look ahead and consider what will be needed. Rain boots? Dress clothes for cooler weather? Special clothes for a new extra-curricular? Water clothes for playing in rivers or water parks? Comfy clothes or cozy cardigans for lounging around the house. Every new season brings with it new clothing needs.

In addition to knowing WHAT clothes your family needs, this is also the time to plan for where the varying clothing items will be kept. Will you need to figure out a good way to store dirty boots, or how to keep cleats and shin guards and tall socks all together, or maybe you need to have a system for making sure wet clothes and bathing suits get washed and put away immediately.

I shared my process for updating my kids’ wardrobes at the beginning of each season on Instagram. A step-by-step look into my regular method, from completely emptying their drawers, to getting them full again.

3. Where will we spend much of our family time together, and what can I make more accessible for family activities? 

I love this question because it assumes that quality family time will happen… and all the more if I can prepare a little ahead of time to make it easier.

This could be a room of the house, a space in your yard or neighborhood, or even a favorite destination. Obviously we won’t plan for every family occasion, but we can think about past seasons and what kinds of things we liked to do together, then take steps to streamline whatever might make that activity more or less likely to happen.

In the summer, we will spend extra time outdoors– in the garden, at the river, at a park. In the winter, I want to make our living room as cozy and inviting as possible since we tend to gather in front of the fireplace most of the time. Because I know this is where we will be, I make sure there are plenty of books, blankets, and even a few favorite games within easy reach.

4. What out of the house activities do I need to prepare for, and how can I make it easier to leave the house in this season?

How we spend our time out of the house also varies by season, and taking the time during a seasonal reset to prepare for future departures can be a major sanity saver later on. Whether your kids are going back to school, you participate in co-op, there are weekly sports practices, or so many other possibilities. Can you make a checklist for getting out the door on those occasions? Can you adjust where you store activity-specific gear in a central location near the door? Maybe even store some items in the car if they’re not also needed in the house, and thus avoiding a last minute scramble completely.

In our home, we have a storage bench by the door we most frequently use. During the summer, I kept our three Adventure Bags in the bench so we could quickly grab a bag for the park/a hike/the beach.

Now that it’s fall, we will still be doing adventure days, but we will also have field trips and co-op and so on. So the beach adventure bag will be stored somewhere else, and I might use that space for something we need on P.E. days to make that early morning seem… slightly easier.

5. What spaces have been “on hold” for a season that need to be refreshed? 

This question is really simple, but may not apply to everyone. Where I live in the south, we don’t tend to use our porch for hanging out as much during the summer because it can get so hot. Same for the fire pit in the backyard– not really sitting around the fire hanging out in July.

However, once fall arrives, those are both places that I want to revive and prepare for use again.

Think about whether you have areas in your home that have been ignored, but in the next season, are just begging to be enjoyed again!

6. Where will we want to do schoolwork and how can I update organization to streamline lessons and projects?

At first, this question seemed homeschool specific, but I think that it really can also apply to families who school out of the house too. After all, learning is still taking place, homework needs to be completed, and a cozy reading area is always a welcome idea.

We do not have a dedicated homeschool room, so most of the time, we do our school at our large dining room table. However, during different seasons, we like to enjoy the flexibility of being able to do school in different spaces. Again, in the winter, I am all about cozy fireside school days. So for my winter reset, I will make room for school books in the living room. Sometimes in a basket on the fireplace, or sometimes even worked into the mantle decor as a way to create a little homeschool hygge.

7. What can I put away from last season that I will not need this next season? What needs to come out of storage? 

Towards the end of summer, I get to a point where I can’t wait to put away all the canning supplies that have been standing at the ready for summer gardening preserving. I’m tired of looking at the stacks of jars, as much as I appreciate all that they represent.

But after the summer bounty is behind us, the canning equipment can be put away. Beach towels can be packed away in vacuum bags.

Then for the fall reset, there are other items that are ready to come out. Not only decor, but extra blankets, soup bowls, etc.

8. Where will I rest and recharge this season? How can I make that space a place of peace?

This is a question I added this year, but I think it is another great idea to consider. My husband sets a great example for me in this– he has a serene spot that he uses everyday to read and smoke his pipe. It is ready and waiting for him anytime he needs to get away and relax.

I likewise would like to consider creating my own personal haven of rest this season, where I can take advantage of pockets of time during busy days to prioritize rest.

This can be as simple as a comfortable chair in your room, or a closet converted to a peaceful meditation and prayer area. Just like the other reset questions, the goal is to be intentional at the start.

9. Are there any big events for which I should be saving? 

Vacations, retreats, state fairs, holidays, etc. Technically, this question is more of a financial consideration, but I included it because it’s another way we can purposefully begin a new season.

Besides, once your kids are older and are also wanting to save money for upcoming events, you can get them on board with chores and projects around the home to earn extra capital!

10. How can I simplify meal times this season? What special circumstances should be considered?

While the other questions can be more fun to take care of (not all of them, *ahem*, kids’ clothes), this one can arguably have one of the biggest impacts in your day-to-day living. We’ve all got to each, most of us three times a day.

I like to start each new season with a seasonal menu, full of curated ideas of lunch and dinner meals specific to that season. Having a new list of meals can bring fresh inspiration and motivation to the kitchen. I also rely on more activity/energy/budget specific menus to help me select meals for days that need a certain kind of meal. I have meal lists for adventure days, nights I need super easy dinners, grab and go lunch ideas, and more.

Then, if we want to prepare even further for the new season, we might set a weekly rhythm of meals based on our schedules. We may plan for freezer meals on days we know we’re going to be gone most of the day, or sandwiches at sports nights, or simply delegating dinner to a family member with more free time that particular day.

Simple alterations or additions to the grocery list can be a great help when entering a new season!

Print the Seasonal Reset Method Questions

• Seasonal Reset Questions, Small Cards Page 1
• Seasonal Reset Questions, Small Cards Page 2
• Seasonal Reset Questions, Blank squares

I created these cards this week to make these questions more accessible. I printed them out and laminated each question so that there is a blank square on the back of the questions. This way, I can make little notes in with a dry erase marker for specific things I need to do or purchase.

• Seasonal Reset Questions List

Or, if you would rather simply have a printed list of all ten questions, you can print this PDF. Save it, or print a new one as you need it.

I truly hope that these questions are helpful to you! If you have any other considerations for starting a new season, please share them in the comments! If you enjoyed this post, consider sharing it with others so more people can utilize these reset questions.

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The links below may be affiliate links, meaning I earn a small compensation at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure policy here.

Back in December, in the midst of holiday craziness, I had an out-of-nowhere moment of inspiration to transform my husband’s neglected office in the woods into my own personal she-shed work space.

A handful of years ago, my husband and his dad built a shed in the back corner of our property using mostly reclaimed windows and very basic materials. We affectionately nicknamed it his “little office in the woods”. It was a lovely place to work– quiet and serene. It was, however, a little utilitarian for me.

My husband’s work changed a couple of years ago, and having a quiet place to read and write was no longer as essential. So the office was largely left alone.

I decided that it was time to give the little office in the woods a facelift and a new life. After all, I definitely would enjoy a quiet place to think and work…

She-Shed On A Shoestring

I pitched the idea of working together on making the office my own to my good friend Sue (@thatswhatsuesays on Instagram). Sue is a pro shopper and deal getter, and has a great eye for style and design.

Sue and our friend Liz came over mid-January to hang out, and while the kids ran wild around the yard, I showed them the shed and we started to cast a vision for what it could be like.

The catch? I wanted to try and repurpose, buy used, and make-do as much as possible. My “she-shed on a shoestring”.

BEFORE

Like I mentioned before, the office was previously my husband’s space. He chose the paint color, the wall art, and built two simple desks– one to sit at, and one for standing.

The yellow paint color was never my favorite, but he said it was a happy color and that was what mattered.

I took the pictures below on the day the girls and I checked out the state of the office. It needed a cleaning, but at least you get an idea of what it started like.

Over the next couple of months, I stripped everything out of the office, we brainstormed, pitched ideas and paint colors, and before too long, the girls were back in the shed with me rolling on a couple coats of paint. (That I did not spend any money on! More on that in a moment).

I was able to find many items at the thrift store and shopped my basement for others, but I did decide that there were a few things that were worth getting new. And building ourselves.

Keep scrolling to see the incredible transformation of my she-shed. It truly is such a lovely, peaceful space and I’m so happy with how it turned out. It’s not perfect and there are a few cut-corners”, but honestly, that’s just me. I don’t mind imperfections and just shrug my shoulders at the “rustic charm” of a cinderblock step and the paint handprint next to the door.

AFTER

PAINT

I chose a very calm light green for the walls. With three of the walls being almost completely windows looking out into the woods, I wanted a color that would complement the expansive green of the trees. 

The color is a Valspar color called “Morning Zen”. While shopping my basement to see what we could repurpose, Sue and I found a promising stash of paint cans. One gallon of paint was an eggshell finish that had never been tinted. Lowes was so good to shake the paint and add tint for free!

In addition to the paint for the walls, I also found a can of gray paint that was still a little over halfway full. I had purchased that paint for some wooden benches my husband built several years ago to use in our dining room. The benches had been stored in the basement for at least a couple of years, but one of them would be perfect in the she-shed. That is, after it had a fresh coat of paint too.

I took the gray paint to Lowes as well and had them add additional tint to darken the gray as much as possible. I used the (now) dark gray to paint the bench (see below), and the legs of my new desk.

FURNITURE

I found the three chairs at a thrift store one night. While I know that Sue would probably have done a little more shopping around to make sure we got the best finds we could, I considered it to be delightful serendipity to find not one or two chairs, but three chairs that I really liked all in one store on one night. I don’t have a lot of extra time to go thrift shopping, so I snagged the chairs right away.

I spent $35 on a rolling desk chair, a low rocking chair, and a straight back chair. At this point I haven’t altered them in any way, other than taking off the price stickers and wiping them down a bit. Realistically, I probably won’t do anything else. (Don’t judge. This isn’t a home decor blog).

As for the desk, my husband and I build it together! We spent a Sunday afternoon working on it together. It was a lot of fun, I learned to use a few new power tools, and it’ll be a memory I always have.

We used free building plans from Average but Inspired. I love the large flat surface for spreading out my computer and planner and books, with the “hidden” storage compartments underneath!

WALL ART

The square flower painting was one of the first pieces I bought that gave me a better idea of the color scheme I wanted to go with. The painting was $25 at Hobby Lobby (after the 40% coupon).

On the wall opposite the flowers, I hung a beautiful calendar from GraceLaced. I love her calendars, and well, all her artwork. I give them every year as Christmas gifts.

The wall on the other side of the door has a small gallery wall with pictures and frames I shopped from around my house. I love how they all came together. The “She Shed” sign was a fun surprise gift from my friend Liz!

PILLOWS

You can see the bench I re-homed from my basement in the pictures above. It is the perfect size to fit under the windows and provide more space to sit, and more storage space underneath. The square pillows on the end of the bench were shopped in my house. The long pillow is a body pillow I found for $10 at Target and covered with a pillowcase that matched the color scheme.

The rainbow pillow was a bit of a splurge at World Market, but I loved it, the colors matched, and it felt like a nod to my friend Sue who is obsessed with all things rainbow.

As for the baskets under the bench, they were also shopped from around my house. The clear boxes hold snacks, cleaning supplies, special activities for the kids when they visit, and … one is still empty.

OTHER DECOR

I knew I wanted to keep the deer skull that was hanging in the office when it was my husband’s space. It’s a nod to the origins of my she-shed. The tassel banner was another fun buy at Target ($12). I love the fun, whimsy touch it makes.

I found the sheer gray curtains at World Market– $10 each. The sun comes in through those windows in the evening, and being able to diffuse the light is important. The curtain rod I hung them on, though, was free. Another basement find.

The macrame plant hanger was handmade by a friend’s daughter, and purchased in the fall at our Wild & Free group’s craft sale. It was waiting for a place to be hung, and the she-shed was the perfect home.

Finally, the rug and the ceiling. I wanted to cover the plastic on the ceiling as economically and easily as possible…so I used a king sized flat bedsheet.  I nailed it nice and taut, then zigzagged white Christmas lights back and forth from the nails. Again, both the sheet and the lights could probably be nicer, and definitely could be more expensive, but that wasn’t my goal. It is fun and pretty and just right for me.

The rug is the final item to share, and definitely the one that I shopped around for the longest, and spent the most on. However, having a rug on the floor was a non-negotiable for me because I really felt like it would make my office feel much more put together and welcoming than just a shed in the woods.

I hope you enjoyed this before and after! I love a good project, and of course, love enjoying the fruits of the work. Maybe this is inspiring to you to take a neglected space and give it fresh life, or to think of new ways to use what you already have. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the she-shed, or what projects are currently keeping you busy!

Share with us in the comments…

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Last week I made a Target run for some odds and ends, and of course, made a quick stop in the dollar spot.

The allure of the black and white pumpkins, amber vases, and wooden signs was too strong, so my husband took the kids and let me do a little recording and shopping.

I already finished decorating the rest of the house, but had an idea to put together a simple fall centerpiece for our table.

Since I had not spent anything on the rest of our decor this year, I didn’t mind investing in a handful of new pieces this year. Everything I got will able able to be reused, many in different seasons too.

Watch the video to see our shopping haul and to get an idea of what else is currently available in the Target dollar spot!

Easy Fall Centerpiece

I love that the centerpiece is easily portable since we do our school at the table too. And I really just love the warm glow that the houses and the candle give to the room.

The garland was a little tricky to place in the basket at first, but after unraveling it and fitting it in a little at a time was perfect.

Check out the rest of our Fall decor here, or on YouTubeYouTube!

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