Reasons why Fall is my favorite season. 

1) PUMPKIN + other seasonal goodies. 

I plan on doing a whole post on seasonal goodies you can get from your favorite local grocery stores, especially ones with funky goodies like Trader Joe’s. But it still deserves a mention. Yes, fall for your classic pumpkin spice latte. I truly will go to Starbucks a handful of times outside of the holidays, but I’ll make an exception for at least one pumpkin spice latte, just to be festive (with a pinch of basic). Growing up, I’d have the occasional pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving but never went nuts over the gourd, but once I was able to buy my own groceries, I just let myself really lean into pumpkin-flavored everything. I also just love apples (and apple cider!), brussel sprouts, beets, pomegranate, zucchini, and persimmons!

2) The weather. 

Granted, I grew up in a place where the weather was the same year round. Sometimes it would rain, and then it didn’t for a long time (the drought that was a long time coming). We would have a few weekends of nice weather, the “Indian” summer that came in late September into October. But at least 10 months out of the year were a crisp 65 degrees. I’m not sure why it felt different in the fall, but I love the excuse of bundling up in thrifted, oversized sweaters in patterns that remind you of your grandparents. 

3) The fashion.

And that isn’t to imply I’m a fashionista by any stretch of the imagination. But I do love the colors you get to incorporate into your wardrobe. I LIVE for burgundy, and am now in a place of security that I will wear it year-round, but it really thrives during Autumn. I love flannel, burnt orange, brown shades in your booties, mustard, and forest green. I’m still a huge proponent of the infinity scarf and a beanie with a pom on top. 

4) The culture. 

Does this sound weird? I feel like falltime, especially for people still in school, is filled with homecoming games and dances, spirit week, new romances as you get used to your new classmates, and great television. The best shows come out in the fall. Right? Couple that with it being cuffing season? Summer’s over and you’re done with your hoeing ways as the weather physically requires you to cuddle up with someone sweet. It’s literally the best time to fall in love. Yes, I had to. 

5) The activities.

Pretend I’m writing this is in a non-pandemic world. (Dear the future, how is it? Can you hug people yet?) Last year, my girlfriend and I went to two different pumpkin patches, went on a hayride, got lost in a corn maze, and had lunch in Downtown Disney when it was fully fall-decorated. Gourds galore. The only time I really relish being in Disneyland is from September-January, honestly. I’m here for the decorations and the holiday-themed foods! And this might be an unpopular opinion, but I actually like the spooky decorations in October more than I do the Christmas theme that comes in December! Plus the excuse to cozy for a night in watching spooky movies with Halloween candy? Nothing beats it.

6) This is 4 + 5 combined, but, um, THE HOLIDAYS? And I don’t mean Christmas and New Year’s, I mean Halloween and Thanksgiving. Nowhere could have it been better said than in Mean Girls, “Halloween is the one day a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything else about it.” That’s just funny if nothing else. Thanksgiving was also always my favorite holiday growing up because for a long time my family didn’t celebrate Christmas, and Thanksgiving was the only time of year I could see my extended family. I know it has a sordid origin story, but I do genuinely appreciate the reminder people have to be grateful and for the excuse to gather in our fall best.