🍂 Finding Joy in Fall with MS: Adapting Without Missing Out

Autumn has a way of reminding us that change can be beautiful. The crisp air, golden leaves, and cozy rituals invite us to slow down and savor life. But for those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the season can also bring unique challenges—temperature shifts, fatigue, or mobility concerns may make once-simple activities feel complicated.

As a therapist who works closely with people navigating MS, I often remind clients that adapting doesn’t mean giving up joy. It means creating new ways of connecting with the things you love.

🍁 Listen to your body

Energy may fluctuate with cooler mornings or unpredictable weather. Instead of pushing through, notice your limits. Plan activities for your “best energy” times—maybe a short morning walk among the leaves or an afternoon cozying up with tea by the window. Both are valid ways of embracing fall.

🍂 Redefine traditions

If apple-picking or long hikes are too draining, bring the season indoors. Bake spiced muffins with family, paint autumn colors on a canvas, or create a gratitude journal for the season. The goal isn’t doing everything—it’s finding meaning in the little rituals.

🌙 Prioritize warmth and rest

Layering clothes, carrying a lightweight blanket in your bag, or keeping hand warmers handy can help with temperature sensitivity. Build in recovery time after outingsrest is not a setback, it’s part of the rhythm of living with MS.

🌻 Include others in your adaptations

Share your needs with friends and loved ones. Sometimes, enjoying a movie night with autumn treats can be just as memorable as a crowded festival. Connection matters more than location.

Living with MS doesn’t mean stepping away from the seasons you love. It means engaging with them in a way that honors both your spirit and your body’s needs. Fall teaches us that letting go can be beautiful—and that every change makes space for new ways of finding joy.

✨ Before closing, Instead of grieving what you can’t do, gently shift focus to what you can. With creativity, compassion, and support, autumn can remain a season of richness, connection, and warmth.