Fall Mixtape Vol.3
It’s the dark early morning hour of 6 a.m. I quietly tip-toe downstairs, shuffling my feet ever so slightly on each step so that my crunchy, old ankles stay quiet (they don’t). My dog trails behind me, stretching and shaking off the long night’s sleep. No one else is awake in the house, and I want it to stay that way.
This delicate morning dance is not something I usually attempt. I prefer waking with the sun, to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, my children’s laughter echoing through the walls. But there’s a subtle shift in the season, a tonal change in the atmosphere. The official start of fall is a few days away, and in California, that quintessential fall feeling has become increasingly ephemeral. Here, there’s no need for pumpkin-spiced lattes, wool-lined jackets — and most depressingly — rainboots. But that doesn’t stop us Californians from channeling autumnal vibes. We just have to be more creative. For me, that means taking advantage of the crisp fall air.
As a teenager, I wished for rain on my birthdays. I begged my parents to take me to Seattle, Washington — which, thanks to the ‘90s grunge scene, led me to believe it was the rainiest, moodiest place on earth. Unfortunately, my romanticized daydream of Seattle was crushed after one very hot, dry visit. But my fervent love of cozy, gray days remained.
Without cold, wet streets lined with fiery red and orange leaves, I rely on overcast mornings to indulge my desire. Waking before the sun offers me time alone, in the quiet stillness of the morning. There’s no epic sunrise to greet me, but the soft, timid gray sky is just as inspiring. I walk through the yard in my cozy socks, hot coffee in hand, and breathe in my favorite season. It’s no Vermont, but, I’ll take it.
It’s probably no surprise that fall is also my favorite season to make playlists. Here’s my Fall Mixtape Vol.3 (although you could argue that almost all of my playlists are best suited for fall).
You can follow my playlists on Spotify.
