It's Sunday, I'm in bed all snuggled up, I just drank a harvest tea blend from Trader Joe's, and all is good in the world—or is it? I often look forward to cozy Sunday nights, but lately I've succumbed to the doom of Monday and my to-do list gets the best of me. What I've been referring to is this sudden sense of overwhelm, anxiety, and restlessness over what the week may bring, or the "Sunday scaries" as my family calls it. Even when I've accomplished all on my to-do list, I always find myself anxious to start a new week. 

I haven't tackled this feeling or have found ways to relieve it as much, but I definitely have noticed why I might be feeling this way and things I can do to change my mindset before a new sunrise. To start, I needed to figure out what may be causing these negative thought bubbles before Monday. I think it has to do with all of the pre-existing stress I might have had that week, things I read or saw on the news, our current state of the world, or just interactions I had that day. If there's anything my conscious is telling me, it's that I need to let that sh*t go. 

For those who anticipate the emails they're going to receive, dread over their full planner, or who just can't deal with getting up and starting a new work week, I feel you. It's not easy, but we have to push through day by day, as my dad always tells me. You only know what's happening now, so why dwell on tomorrow when you can make the most of every day you get? At least, I keep telling myself that. 

Turn your back on the Sunday scaries and start filling your days with little joys, indulgences, and by pacing yourself because you got this—and I'm right here with you. 

While I don't consider myself a Bibliophobe, or someone who hates reading, I think it is safe to say that many people have anxiety when it comes to opening the cover of a book and investing all of their time into a story they know nothing about. My averseness to reading started at a young age, filled with timed reading tests and rhetorical analyses. I dreaded it. There is a true saying that as you grow older, you grow out of bad habits and distastes. I feel like I've now come to appreciate the wonders of a new book, finding escapism through different worlds and new narratives to become immersed in. 

Living with English professors and writers did me justice, but I think the noise and constant tremor of the internet has lead me to other things outside of social media rhetoric and into new worlds I discover in books. As someone who was a non-reader before, I have found a couple handy ways to reassess this distaste for reading and a motivation to find books I actually like reading, as well. 

For someone like me who likes mixed genres or doesn't exactly know the exact type of book they like, the stress of finding the "perfect" book to read can seem daunting. However, I confided in a book club to help me start my genre discovery. I have Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine bookclub to thank for that. I know what you're thinking, Natalie, there are SO many other great types of books out there! And I hear you, but this is what has worked for me and I've come to love the variety of authors and genres I've read so far. Reading is a unique journey for everybody, so be open to discovering book recommendations from other people who might be interested in the same topics you are. 

Much like finding a book, choosing the book can be a much more stressful and exhausting idea. But to put it simply—it doesn't matter which book you choose as long as you read it. Don't go to Barnes and Noble, go to understocked book stores or smaller libraries so that you're not bombarded. 

Making a decision on what book to read can be so draining, and I've been there. You can also subscribe to reading lists, book subscriptions, or find a Little Free Library around your neighborhood to make the choice a lot more easier.

So many people I know say they want to start reading again, but that "there's not enough time" to dedicate to it. I think it's BS because all of that time spent on our phones—which is an average of 12 hours and 9 minutes per day—could be spared to sit down and digest a couple chapters of a book. Focus is a muscle and the desire for easy entertainment is like a craving for junk food. Rather than binge watching Netflix, it will feel a lot more gratifying to recount books you've read and actively consume something more worthwhile to your mental rigor than Tik Tok videos late at night. 

I try to start reading at least an hour or so before I go to bed. That way, my eyes are not strained by blue light and reading will naturally help me fall asleep. Plus, you'll be able to remember what you read when you wake up since it will be fresh on your mind. If you can dedicate a separate time for reading, when you are most motivated and have the most focus, it's definitely a more suitable entertainment option. Plus, it drowns out the noise of social media. 

The best way to gather inspiration for fall decor on a budget is at your local Dollar Tree or Dollar General. I always find the most inexpensive decor pieces and craft items, more specifically, to create unique and intricate seasonal pieces. I was inspired to create this fall wreath by my cousins who had a wreath making night, so I decided to recruit my good friend to try and create a small one with things I could find either around the house or only from the Dollar Tree. All of the leaves, pinecones, ribbon, string, and even the foam wreath itself were found for less than $10. Instead of gluing everything, we were able to cut the pieces and stick them right into the foam. Here are 32 Easy DIY Fall Wreath ideas! A mini wreath like this will get any door or candle looking festive.

Walls can use a little spruce with updated art and prints! I think the color and patterns on the walls can really impact the warmth of a room, so why not use prints to amplify it even more? No need to go out and buy new prints when you can either draw or paint, reuse, or update old pictures on the walls. 

I love to save my old Rifle Paper Co. calendars and cut them out so I have an array of prints to cycle through and ones that can be perfect for every time of the year. I've never been to Copenhagen, but this print sure makes me want to go! You could even try newspaper or magazine covers to create a collage on my bulletin board as I have with my old film photographs for a vintage and eclectic type of look. 

The best way to instantly make your house feel and smell autumnal is to bake to your heart's content. I made cinnamon banana-nut bread this weekend and even made some extra loaves for later. There are many simple recipes, so here is an inspired banana walnut bread recipe that I love to refer to. I've seen people drying orange slices, roasting cinnamon almonds, and making all of the pumpkin spice flavored baked goods you could dream of. Find the ingredients laying around and you might be surprised at what you can concoct.

This time of year brings so much joy as the seasons change and it shouldn't have to cost you. There should be no pressure to "update" your fall decor because there are so many easy ways to refresh and revitalize what you already have laying around your house. I've even made a #fallfeels2020 Spotify playlist to set the mood and that's really all you need. 

This time of year is meant for big changes and also letting go of things that are built up inside us. If there's one thing I know well, it's reorganizing and redecorating a space, which can always be a mood booster. Don't let the seasonal blues get you down and be inspired to create the coziest abode you desire! What are some budget friendly things you do to make your space feel more autumnal?