The first days of fall always feels like a threshold. The air shifts, the sunlight turns softer, and nature quiets down. Suddenly, the world seems to whisper: slow down, notice, be here.
This year, on the Autumn Equinox, I felt a yearning to mark this turning of seasons with intention. Autumn has always been my season: to reflect, to collect little moments, and to finally return to myself again.
So this fall season, I’ve decided to begin a daily ritual of sorts to help me notice and remember the small but beautiful things in my life. If I’m being honest, I’ve found it very challenging recently to quiet my mind and slow down the pace of my days.
I’m calling this gentle practice 100 Days of Bliss because there are exactly 100 days between the first day of fall and year’s end.
From September 22 until December 31, I’ll be collecting and documenting one small joy each day. It might be a fleeting moment, a cozy ritual, or a small comfort that made the day feel better. At the end of this year and the beginning of the next, I hope to hold a bundle of beautiful memories to carry with me forever.
I thought of this challenge — or maybe I should call it a ritual — when I realized I was rushing through my days and my to-do list. As a slow living blogger, I wasn’t living very slowly or mindfully, so I needed something to help me find my way back to myself.
What Is the Goal and Intention Behind the 100 Days of Bliss Challenge?
My intention with this challenge is to gently nudge myself (and hopefully inspire you) to notice the little things more and enjoy the simplicity of life. But most importantly, to help me make note of how blessed I am, especially on days when I don’t feel my best or hold some heaviness.
What I hope to gain by the end of the challenge is a mindset that focuses on finding the good in everything:
- The small everyday moments that often get missed
- The little blessings I have but maybe don’t notice
- The beauty and abundance around me
- The happiness and joy already within me
- The things that make me come alive
I want to make this practice something that comes naturally and intuitively. Maybe if I intentionally practice finding more joy in my days, I’ll become a more joyful person by design. And this is a wonderful motivation for me. Your personal goals can differ but I hope you’ll join me and take from this challenge what your soul needs this season.
When Will the 100 Days of Bliss Challenge Begin?
The challenge starts on 22 September, on the first official day of fall and the Autumn Equinox. It will end on 31 December but you’re welcome to start on any date and continue the practice into the new year.
Note: Any 100 days of the year will work. You don’t even have to do all 100, just choose the number of days that will work for you. Fall is a very inspirational and transformational season for me, so that’s why I chose it for the challenge.
The goal is to end the year on a positive note, with a treasure chest of beautiful moments that we’ll carry into the new year as well.
Ways to Join In and Have Your Own 100 Days of Bliss
There are no special rules here as I want you to look forward to this gentle practice. The goal is to notice the small moments of bliss and cultivate more joy in your day and life, not feel overwhelmed by yet another task.
This is why I’ve made following along this challenge very simple:
- Notice one small moment of bliss each day.
- Write it down in your phone/notebook or take a photo.
- Share it on social media if you feel called to or simply make a note.
- If you want, you can keep track of your days with my Soft Life Planner.
If you want to share your own moments of bliss on your own blog or social media, make sure to tag me on Instagram (@autumnandbliss) so I can cheer you on and see the beauty you’re gathering. Use the hashtag #100DaysOfBliss for your Instagram posts so I can find them, follow your journey, and celebrate with you.
I believe this is a wonderful way to inspire and support each other, build a warm and cozy community, and savor the beauty this season has to offer.
Do I Have To Complete All 100 Days of Bliss?
The beauty of this challenge is in the freedom to choose: you can complete all 100 days, complete just 3 or 10 or 50 — as long as you gain something positive from this, there’s no right or wrong. I personally will aim to complete the entire 100 days but you do what’s best for your life and abilities.
The 100 Days Of Bliss Archive
You can find each day’s moment of bliss here:
(Don’t forget to bookmark this page so you can come back to it and follow along with me.)
Day 1 (Sept 22): The Giggles That Healed A Heavy Heart
I have a toddler who loves to giggle about the silliest things! Whether it’s a face I make, talk in a funny voice or tickle her, we love to laugh and giggle together. After a particularly challenging day today, I caught myself thinking about her giggles and feeling grateful to be her mom. Grateful to have her as my child, make her laugh, spend my days with her, and make memories I’ll remember forever!
Day 2 (Sept 23): A Surprise Visit From My Dad (Whom I Haven’t Seen In Months)
At 10 am on a random Wednesday morning, someone rang my doorbell. It was my dad! He drove all night from a different country and surprised us with a visit! I hadn’t seen him in months and he’ll be staying longer this time to spend more time with his granddaughter, for which I couldn’t be more grateful!
Day 3 (Sept 24): The Conversation That Changed Us Profoundly
Today, my husband and I had a deep conversation that changed the both of us profoundly. I felt grateful for the way we communicate better each day, that we hold each other through the difficult times, and that we can understand each other without either of us feeling blamed or misunderstood.
Day 4 (Sept 25): The First Whispers of Autumn On A Rainy Day
Today, I felt like Autumn has officially come. It was a rainy, cold Thursday and I had to pull out my cozy sweatshirts from the closet! The smell in the air was so crisp and I felt so calm and content that summer is finally over and my favorite season is here!
Day 5 (Sept 26): A Quiet Saturday Spent Writing and Creating
I consider myself a creative soul whose purpose in this world is expressed through writing. This is why Autumn and Bliss exists and even though I don’t always post as often as I’d like to, I always feel blessed when I’m hit with inspiration to write and create for this blog.
I spent my Saturday evening brainstorming new blog post ideas, creating new products I think you’ll love, and just writing from the heart.
Day 6 (Sept 27): A Moment of Gratitude For The Laundry
I never thought I’d be grateful for piles of laundry, but today while I was folding my daughter’s clothes, it suddenly hit me: we are so blessed to have clothes to wear and wash! Sometimes, we tend to take some mundane things for granted, but today, I was deeply grateful to have clean clothes for my family.
Day 7 (Sept 28): A Fall Gathering Around The Table
Today, I was grateful for a delicious homemade family meal that we cooked from scratch. We gathered around the table, had heart-fulfilling conversations, ate good food, and spent time as a family. There’s is nothing more precious and important to me in this world than family and I am lucky to have one of my own that I love more than anything!
Day 8 (Sept 29): The Season of Coming Home To Myself
As I’m approaching almost two years postpartum, I am slowly feeling like the fog is lifting. Starting my old hobbies again, enjoying the things I used to love, and just getting back in rhythm with myself has all been so fulfilling. And coming home to myself feels safe. Isn’t that what feeling at home is about?
Day 9 (Sept 30): The First Falling Leaves and An Autumn Walk
We went for a morning stroll today and as we were walking under the trees, I noticed the morning sunlight quietly finding its way through the branches. A few leaves detached and began their happy little dance in the air, catching glimpses of sunshine. It was a magical sight! 🍂
Day 10 (Oct 01): Welcome, October!
On October 1st, I get so excited and warm and fuzzy inside because everything feels like fall! The stores are full of fall home decor, my fall mugs are out, the sidewalks are covered in fallen leaves, the evenings are calm and cozy, and everything feels right with the world.
You’ll also love this: How To Prepare Your Heart, Home, and Habits for Fall
Day 11 (Oct 02): Autumn, I love you!
I’m an autumn baby, so this season awakens in me all sorts of creativity, emotion, ideas, and joy. I am giddy with excitement to make all the fall recipes, do all the fall activities, and see what whimsical things the season will bring! Today, I roasted some pumpkins, made banana bread, and had my first pumpkin spice latte of the season.
P.S. Here are 33 more things I love about autumn!
Day 12 (Oct 03): I Am Once Again Reminded Of The Joy In The Little Things
I caught myself enjoying the little things today. I noticed them, smiled at them, enjoyed them, and remembered them. The smell of my first morning coffee. My baby’s smile when she sees me in the morning. The sunshine through the windows. The distinct scent of autumn in the air. The earthy taste of roasted pumpkins. The warmth and coziness of my blanket. Writing for this challenge every day… Happiness is here, I just need to find it and be intentional about noticing it.
Day 13 (Oct 04): Finding A Glimmer of Good In A Bad Day
Today was not a good day for me in the slightest. I was very stressed out, all over the place, and irritable, and couldn’t wait for the day to be over. I kept trying to find a glimmer of something good that happened but my mind was so stuck on the negative. So my moment of bliss was going to bed, hoping that a good night of sleep will restore my energy and I’d wake up in a better mood the next day.
Day 14 (Oct 05): Dreaming of That Cottagecore Life Got Me In My Feels
I’ve noticed a pattern recently: I found myself daydreaming about life in the countryside, in a small farmhouse, with a few animals, my girl roaming around the garden, and we’re all having the time of our lives. Slow living embodied!
Experiencing the magic of all four seasons, and being self-sufficient in all areas of life. Then I also think about all the conveniences and amenities of city life and whether we’d miss them. But I feel a strong pull towards country living, it’s almost a relentless thought on the daily.
So I decided to honor it and see what message it’s trying to send me at this point in my life. Why is my soul craving that and is it a symptom of something else or an actual heart desire?
Day 15 (Oct 06): The Babbles That Mean The World
Every day, my daughter surprises us with a new word or phrase she has learned and she’s so proud of herself when we acknowledge it.
Just the expression of joy on her face makes my entire day! Our conversations are getting more and more fun by the day and I’m one proud mama to my little girl!
Day 16 (Oct 07): Busyness As An Escape
There are days like today when the house and life ask for a lot! Much more than I have the capacity to give. I forget to slow down even though nobody’s rushing me but myself.
I forget that everything can wait and (almost) nothing is an emergency, and yet, I create this pressure for myself to get it all done in one day.
So today, my moment of bliss was to let it go and accept the situation. Yes, the house was a mess, the toddler was toddlering, and the meal was basic, but at least we had some fun in the day.
Day 17 (Oct 08): Maybe Our Children Can Teach Us To Play More
There is nothing more beautiful and present in this world than watching a child play. I feel like children are still so close to the Source that they know how to be present and enjoy every moment. It’s just their nature.
As we grow, little by little, we start to put fun and presence to the side. We focus on things that don’t matter and because we don’t enjoy them, we forget to have fun.
Playing with my daughter in her little imaginary world was a blessing for me today. I needed a reminder that I, too, deserve to have some fun! I cherish these moments with my girl with all my heart.
Day 18 (Oct 9): The Universe and Its Ways
Sometimes, I am truly baffled at how God and the Universe work in mysterious ways. I don’t question it, but am in awe of how everything can change in a year.
And so, today, my moment of bliss came through truly incredible news about my job. I am grateful to do work I love and be able to grow in it.
Day 19 (Oct 10):
Day 20 (Oct 11):
Day 21 (Oct 12):
Day 22 (Oct 13): The Art Of Choosing Myself and The Case Against Guilt
Guilt has been ruling my life and my days for a long time now. Mom guilt, specifically. I have been actively trying to give myself some grace and do things that will help me come back to myself. It hasn’t been easy and the guilt has been overwhelming at times. So today, I decided to choose myself in small ways and make a case against guilt. Because, per definition, only people who have done something wrong should feel guilty.
Day 23 (Oct 14): Little Joys: Jumping Into A Pile of Crunchy Leaves
My daughter and I went for a walk in the morning and she noticed a tiny pile of leaves that had fallen overnight. And almost instinctively, she went straight into the pile and started to jump and kick the leaves with her rubber boots, giggling with joy. I joined her, of course. Oh, was this a moment for the books! It’s funny how children know how to enjoy the little things and turn them into big moments of joy.
Day 24 (Oct 15): Learning To Let Go When I My Grasp Is Too Tight
Today, I had to learn to let go of control and my desire for things to go exactly how I want them to go. Letting go and letting things be as they are is hard for me and something I’ve been working on, so when I had to loosen my grasp, I was both scared of what will happen and relieved that I don’t have to hold things so tight anymore. It was liberating and made so much space in my mind for peace and clarity!
Day 25 (Oct 16): Glimmers of Winter
Today was a cold, cold day. The air smelled like snow and when I looked out the window in the evening, the city was eerily quiet. The coffee shops were playing soft music in the distance, with only a few people inside hoping to get warm. It was one of the first times I thought to myself “Oh my God, winter is coming!” I don’t mean that in a bad way. I actually love winter, a lot! (As evidenced by this blog post and this one here), but the realization that winter was closer than I thought just hit me differently.
Day 26 (Oct 17): Reflections On A Past Life
Today, I caught myself reflecting on the life I’ve lived so far and the hard things I’ve survived. My heart got heavy and filled with regret but then I also thought about the beautiful amazing things I have today because of the hard things. I felt immense gratitude but also pride in myself for making it through.
Day 27 (Oct 18): Holiday Excitement, Regained
There was a time in my life when I had no desire to celebrate the holidays, decorate the Christmas tree or bake any holiday treats, all of which I normally love to do. But this year, as the stores are filled to the brim with holiday stuff, I felt genuine excitement for the first time in a long time. So I bought a festive candle, some pink cookie tins and cookie jars, festive kitchen towels, holiday essential oils… The works! I cannot wait to decorate the tree this year and see the joy and sparkle in my daughter’s eyes when she sees it for the first time!
Day 28 (Oct 19): Giving Myself Permission To Rest. Actually Rest.
Today, I resisted all urges to be productive and just allowed myself to rest. Do light housework and spend the evening resting and watching movies, and having a chill night at home. And it felt so good on my soul. Just the permission I gave myself to rest without thinking about tomorrow or what didn’t get done was so rejuvenating to me.
Day 29 (Oct 20): Turning A Bad Day Into Life-Changing Transformation
It was one of those days where I just got tired of my own shenanigans. I had had enough so I decided to finally take a serious step towards self-improvement in the deepest, most commited way possible. I was scared and unsure of how it would go, but I took that step without too much overthinking or planning and that made me proud of myself. I also had a few very enlightening moments, and I will consider those my moments of bliss today.
Day 30 (Oct 21): Coming Home To Myself
What is home if not safety? Feeling safe in body, mind, and emotions is the ultimate pillar of stability. And if I have to come home to myself, it means I haven’t been home until now. Where have I been? In the past, thinking about the things I’d do differently. In the future, thinking about the things that haven’t happened yet. And home is here and now, and my journey back there has not been smooth or easy. I am slowly making my way back and I’m excited to meet the new version of me!
Day 31 (Oct 22): Music To My Ears
Today, I found bliss in an old Indie Folk playlist I had made years ago. I found it on my computer and played the whole thing while I was working. It’s been a long time since I intentionally listened to music I love, and today, I decided to play songs that made my heart flutter with joy.
My top 3 favorites are forever unchanged:
- Harrison Storm – Change It All
- The Paper Kites – Bloom
- Brother Castor – Turn The Car Over
Find the playlist here.
Day 32 (Oct 23): On Fleeting Time: My Baby’s Not A Baby Anymore
My little girl is slowly approaching her 2nd birthday and as I was going through some old photos of her when she was a teeny tiny baby, I realized she’s growing and developing into her own little personality every single day. Oh how time flies! It feels like yesterday when I was holding this adorable little newborn in my arms and now she speaks in full sentences! I am truly blessed to have her in my life and be her safe space in this journey called life.
Day 33 (Oct 24): The Magic of The Ordinary
Just an ordinary Saturday filled with ordinary things but somehow, being at home with my little family all cozied up while it was raining outside made our day even more special. We had warm tea, shared some laughs, watched cozy movies, and had a very chill evening. These are moments that make life beautiful and I am grateful to experience them as my moments of bliss.
Day 34 (Oct 25): The Sunday Where Nothing Happened Yet A Lot Happened
I had a very calm and chill Sunday today. It was just me and my daughter playing, chatting, doing chores at home while it was raining outside and daddy was at work. She is becoming so talkative now and it’s hilarious the words she comes up with and the ideas she has of what constutues play and fun. I loved spending time with her today and found my bliss in motherhood moments like these.
Day 35 (Oct 26): The Full Moon and Her Journey Through Darkness
As the full moon illuminated the night sky with clouds scattered around, I thought about her journey in the darkness of space. I also thought about my own journey in darkness and how I was illuminated by life once again. After a season of feeling small and invisible, I begin to show up fully for myself, much like the full moon. This was a quiet moment I had to myself on the balcony, breathing the crisp autumn air and pondering about the strength I’ve had to cultivate in order to become this version of myself.
Day 36 (Oct 27): The Epiphany
At 9.30 this morning, I had an epiphany. The light-bulb kind of awakening that you can’t help but pay attention to, because it speaks with every cell of your being. Sometimes, when I have epiphanies, the solutions seem so simple and obvious on the other side of the fence. On the other hand, it is a blessing that God and the Universe blessed me with an epiphany to help me move forward and move on from some very challenging things in my life.
Day 37 (Oct 28): The Hunter’s Moon Magic
Today I witnessed the Hunter’s Full Moon rising above the horizon. She had a deep amber orange color and was so close and so big! I stood on the balcony in the freezing cold just watching her rise slowly, and it was a truly magical moment. Not because I haven’t seen a moonrise ever; but because it was a glimpse of magic and wonder that I got to witness on this day as my moment of bliss.
Day 38 (Oct 29): The Stairs I Learned To Climb On My Own
In the morning, we took our girl to a playroom where she loves to go. She was happily exploring and playing, and next thing I know, she’s climbed a set of very tall stairs all on her own! She was standing on the top of the stairs so proud of herself. Although my heart stopped for a second, I also felt so proud of her independence and boldness. It was my moment of bliss that carried me through the day.
Day 39 (Oct 30): Acceptance Is The First Step To Bliss
This morning, my daughter woke up at 5.30 am, visibly upset and uncomfortable. Both myself and my husband tried to soothe her and put her back to sleep but she just wouldn’t. After several attempts, she wasn’t having it, so we decided to start the day. At 5.30 am. While it was literally still dark outside.
I had gone to bed at 2.30 am, so I was in a dizzy, sleepy, loopy state of mind. I couldn’t see straight but I had to accept my fate and just go with the flow. And as much as I was yearning for a few more hours of sleep, accepting the circumstances was the only way I was going to make it through the day.
I am not usually the type to accept things instantly (especially when it comes to losing sleep), so this was a big win for me and I was pretty proud of how I handled the situation. That was my moment of bliss. Thank God for my husband who also got up with us, took over the morning, and I was able to go back to sleep. That was my second moment of bliss!
Day 40 (Oct 31): The Day That Rekindled Something In Me
Today, I felt joy in being myself for the first time in a long time. I took a day trip to the capital city to pre-celebrate my birthday and had a wonderful day filled with shopping, autumn walks, coffee with friends, and contentment.
Day 41 (Nov 01): The Big 38
Today is my birthday and I am grateful to be here. While 38 is not a ‘special’ kind of birthday, it is special to me in what it represents in my life: strength, resilience, and fate. I am equally proud of what I am today and sad for what I’ve been through. But I’m grateful for being on the other side of it all.
Day 42 (Nov 02): My Calm Is Your Calm
Today, I found my bliss is being a calm mom, despite the circumstances. I’ve been trying very hard to be a calm parent but I have a sensitive nervous system that gets easily overwhelmed, so it’s been challenging. Today, I decided to regulate myself first and practice patience, and was surprised to see my toddler become calmer too, and behaved much better than before. It was an eye opener for me.
Day 43 (Nov 03): Dark Days and Darker Nights
Today, it was really challenging for me to find bliss. It was a very stressful day and I was not in a good mood, so even if something good did happen, I wasn’t able to notice it. So maybe for today, I will give myself grace and just let the day and its energy go. Maybe my moment of bliss will be going to bed and hoping that tomorrow is a new day and things will get better.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for joining me on this 100 Days of Bliss challenge! Let’s make the final months of this year count and create some heartfelt memories and moments of joy!
If you have any suggestions, ideas, or ways to make this challenge more fun, please leave me a message here or on Instagram @autumnandbliss and I’ll try to make them happen!
