Fall Fun Made Easy: Keep the Memories, Lose the Overwhelm

Hi Mamas-

Ah, it’s officially fall—the season of pumpkin-flavored everything, Instagram-worthy leaves, and kids demanding Halloween costumes that sold out in August. Cozy! Magical!… and also kind of a lot. Some days it even feels like we’re one hayride away from a nervous breakdown.

But here’s our take: choosing low-lift memories is not choosing “less than”—it’s choosing more of what actually matters. Memories where you actually enjoy yourself instead of just documenting the fun for everyone else.

If you need a little mental reset while wrapping your head around what this fall looks like for you and your people, we’ve got two podcast recs to keep you company:

🎧 Time Management for Women: Ditch Overwhelm and Take Control of Your Days – because sometimes “do it all” advice just isn’t built for moms.

🎧 Your Five-Step Guide to a Joyful Busy Season – because busy doesn’t have to mean joyless.

Enjoy!

-CARRY™ Team

 This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

• 🍂 Low-Lift Fall Memory Makers

• 📸 Proof of Mom: Get in the picture, mama!

• 🍎 A Reset Plan for Fall

Also, we sure would love it if you shared The CARRY™ ALL newsletter with another mama who needs it—we are so grateful hearing how much you look forward to getting this in your inbox every Tuesday. Would you share the love and share your referral link to another mama (or two)?

THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣ 🍂 Low-Lift Fall Memory Makers

If I asked you to write a fall bucket list, you’d probably come up with the usual ideas: apple picking, pumpkin patches, and fall festivals. Cute? Yes. Exhausting? Also yes. So we’ve reimagined the classics — simplified, stress-free, and still memory-worthy.

• Pumpkin Patch, But Make It Aldi: Skip the 2-hour drive and overpriced pumpkins. Grab pumpkins at the grocery store and check out some pumpkin carving hacks to make it even easier.

• Backyard Bonfire: Fire pit, s’mores, and maybe a glass of wine in a camp mug. It’s giving “fall vibes” without leaving home.

• Fall Baking (Cheater’s Edition): Grab break-and-bake cookies and throw in a handful of candy corn or Reese’s Pieces. Insta-festive without the flour explosion. 🍪
  Leaf Walk: Take a family walk and “collect” the prettiest leaves. Translation: stroll around the block and let your kids argue over which one looks like a turkey. Do a quick search for “fall scavenger hunt” on Pinterest if you’re feeling up to it.

• Family Game Night: Keep it simple with Uno, charades, or fishbowl (the game… not whatever your neighbor’s “adult fishbowl” party was about).
  Sunset Stroll + Drive-Thru: Skip the full fall dinner production. Grab Chick-fil-A or throw together a festive snack dinner. Make it a picnic and call it a memory!

• DIY Movie Night: Cozy blankets, popcorn, and a fall classic (think Hocus Pocus or The Great Pumpkin). Bonus if no one spills sticky cider on the couch.

2️⃣   📸 Proof of Mom: Get in the picture, mama!

You know what’s missing from 90% of your fall photos? You. It’s not just about capturing your people — it’s about being in the frame, too. Or as Busy Toddler says, “proof of mom!” Hand off your phone, set up the self-timer, or lean into the selfie.

Ten years from now, your kids won’t notice the messy bun or frizzy hair — they’ll just be grateful to see you there. Because imperfect pics > invisible mom.

3️⃣  🍎 A Reset Plan for Fall 

While the world is busy apple-picking and pumpkin-spicing, fall is also the perfect season to hit the “reset button,” especially now that you may have settled back into seasonal rhythms. 

Try one simple swap that aligns with fall: head to bed a little earlier to sync with the earlier sunsets, take a lunch break without multitasking, or trade the doom scroll for a cozy fall read.

Challenge: Set a timer for 15 minutes and answer these questions:

• ➡️🌱 Start: What do I want to start doing that I’ve been avoiding or neglecting?

• ⛔ Stop: What’s not serving me anymore that I want to stop doing?

• ✅ Continue: What’s working well that I want to keep doing?

• 🔄 Revisit: What should I circle back to in 3 months to check progress, reassess, or brainstorm later?

Optional prompts if you have extra time:

• Energy check: What drains my energy that I want less of?

• Joy check: What brings me energy, joy, or fulfillment that I want more of?

• Mindset reset: What limiting belief or story do I want to let go of?

• Focus: If I could only do three things this month that truly matter, what would they be?

• Support: Who or what do I need to lean on or ask for help?
  Reflection: What did I learn in the last month that I want to carry forward?

📰 IN THE NEWS

The FAMILY Act Is Back—And It’s About Time

🎉 Big news: The FAMILY Act is back! This bill would give workers up to 12 weeks of paid family or medical leave—because right now, only 27% of U.S. workers get that luxury.

Millions of families are still one illness or caregiving crisis away from financial disaster. Paid leave isn’t just nice—it boosts health, family stability, and the economy (hello, $775B potential!).

It’s time to stop pretending families can “figure it out” on their own. 💁‍♀️ Contact your Senators and Representatives and tell them: make paid leave a national standard.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎
for the midlife mom

For some of us, the idea of being planner, activity director, and keeper of the fun… for yet another year can feel a little daunting. And yeah, your body and your brain might be letting you know it.

It’s okay to admit it if it's harder now. Your body might not bounce back like it used to, but your spirit still holds the magic ✨. You can absolutely keep making memories—just maybe at a slightly slower (and saner) pace.

Tips to Keep Making Memories as a Midlife Mom:

• Plan “smart adventures”: Swap full-day outings for half-day adventures or local spots.

• Include movement breaks: Stretch or do a quick mobility routine before heading out.
  Involve the family: Let kids or partners take on more of the load—teamwork makes the dream work

• Move smarter, not harder: quick mobility routines, short walks, or strength exercises tailored for midlife bodies. Try one of these options:  Low impact strength training & Mobility and stretching 

• Energy-friendly foods: lean proteins, colorful veggies, hydration, and snacks that actually fuel you.

• Mindset matters: a few minutes of mindfulness or breathing can reset your patience and energy.

Remember: slowing down doesn’t mean giving up. Your family remembers you, not just the perfectly executed activity. So take a deep breath, celebrate the wins, and keep showing up—because you are the heart of the memories. 💛

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