Raise Hell by Slowing Down: The FALL Acronym for Cozy Boundaries

This fall, we’re opting out of the “busy is better” mindset and choosing a cozier kind of rebellion instead. At The Sister Project, we’re raising a little hell by slowing down, caring less, and doing nothing, because there is nothing more radical and rebellious than rest, boundaries, and saying no.

Last month, we joined Matt Rodriguez on Matt in the Morning on NBC to talk about four simple letters that define our cozy rebellion while autumn finally makes her entrance. Took long enough. We want you to experience this season in a way that feels like an exhale, not like a pressure cooker waiting to explode. More rest, less rushing; more simple pleasures, less “should.”

Every fall, we’re faced with endless opportunities to do more and be more. This is nothing new but the way you might approach it is. What if, instead, we approached the season with cozy empowerment? What if we used this time not to keep up, but to come home to ourselves?

That’s where F.A.L.L. comes in, our cozy-season acronym for living for less, setting boundaries, and finding joy in the pause.

Forget the Pressure

In a world that says do more, host more, spend more, we say: slow down, spend less, and do less. Forget the pressure to be everything for everyone. You already do enough — and you are enough. And like Stuart Smalley used to say, “Gosh darnit, people like you.” This is your permission slip to stop chasing the Joneses and start enjoying your own company.

Ask Yourself: Do I Even Want This?

Think of this as your own personal filter. Before saying yes, pause and ask: Do I even want this? If your shoulders tighten, your throat closes, or it’s not a full-body yes — that’s your answer. Your body always knows. This fall, let it lead.

Learn to Say No

Saying no to chaos is saying yes to cozy. Sometimes raising hell sounds like, Thanks, but no thanks. Protecting your peace creates space for what truly matters and the more you practice it, the easier it gets.

Linger Where It Feels Good

The power of pausing is that it turns minutes into moments. Stay longer in the spaces that feed you, and run like the wind from the things that depletes you. Life moves fast enough; this fall, give yourself permission to linger where it feels just right.

The truth is, slowing down takes courage. It’s easy to fill our calendars and much harder to

leave blank space and open dates. But that’s where the magic lives. This fall, may you forget the pressure, ask what you truly want, say no with confidence, and linger exactly where life feels good. That’s what cozy rebellion looks like.

Thanks for reading our blog! For some wheezy laughs, sisterly banter, and cozy

rebellion, tune in to Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project®.

Follow along on Instagram @thesisterproj