Once the summer heat passes and the school year creeps in, I swap my swim trunks for sweatpants. The leaves are now red, falling, and it’s officially time to say hello to my dear friend. This is fall and among all the seasons of the year, it’s my favorite.
Many categorize fall as a ‘depressing’ season, which is unfortunate for them and completely false in my eyes.
Weather:
With October’s arrival comes a lot more than just a breeze. The entire environment changes, ditching green and steam for cool and colorful.
Morning fog becomes common and the temperature drops to 40-50 degrees. Each avenue echoes of crunchy leaves and branches caught up in the breeze. Smells of cinnamon burning leaves are unavoidable, but I don’t mind. Sweater weather is officially here and the painful burns of summer are far behind us.
The aesthetic of autumn is one of the many things that keeps me coming back. It’s chilly, yet warm, and feels as good as it looks. Although dried-up leaves are somewhat sad, I don’t necessarily agree. The season is all about renewal, starting over, and stalking Starbucks until they release their seasonal menu.
Holidays:
I think many of us can agree that holidays keep our lives moving and grooving. Halloween has always been criminally snubbed in my eyes. It’s the one night a year where it’s socially acceptable to beg for candy as a grown adult.
Although dressing up is unfortunately accepted as “child-ish,” I do not follow that rule, and that goes for you reading this too. If you think you look dumb, you’re doing it right. Be simple and rock a onesie or super specific and go as Papa Smurf. Whatever captures your attention, do it, and have fun.
Thanksgiving follows shortly behind humbling everyone and putting the importance of family into perspective. My loved ones mean everything to me and sitting amongst them toasting to another year of life is truly wonderful. No presents needed, just gratitude and a slice of pie.
Activities:
Awaiting the holidays might be excruciating, but fear not because autumnal events are the only cure to boredom.
For those that like to get out and about, apple orchards and pumpkin patches are a must-visit. The flavors of an apple picked in October is simply angelic. It’s crisp and gives you all the flavor you imagined prior. Pumpkins are not my forte, but I do enjoy carving them. Yes it’s unnecessarily tiresome and too messy to comprehend, but showing it off is the real prize. Plus, you get a pretty, new porch ornament.
If you’re more of a stay-at-home type I recommend watching a movie. Any movie will suffice, but I highly suggest one that matches the mysterious mood. Hocus Pocus, and The Nightmare Before Christmas are seasonal favorites that I refuse to miss. However, I stay far away from the horror genre all together. I prefer sleeping without the nightmares of Buffalo Bill.
Autumn is also prime time for every mother’s favorite activity: the annual Christmas card. If your mom is like mine, you understand the gravity this has on the year. It’s not just a picture, it’s the picture. This isn’t quite a perk of the season, but definitely one that gives you that spooky feeling.
Fall is chilly, rainy, and sometimes too windy to stand, but you must look beyond that. The season is about shedding our old actions, expanding our inner branches, and growing back better than ever. Overall, fall is for all of y’all.
