This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Oglethorpe chapter.
It’s almost Halloween! And in Georgia, late October is when it actually starts to feel like fall – the crisp morning air is chilly, but the sun is out by the afternoon (albeit still warm). I’m an autumn child, and that means I feel the most myself and at peace when fall hits.
So here are my steps on how to take advantage of this cozy season:
- Change up your wardrobe for the season! (Weather permitting, obviously.)
There’s nothing like dressing up in layers of cardigans and slipping on your favorite combat boots (mine are knockoff Doc Marten alternatives from Walmart in a burgundy color!) This is the perfect time to play with warm colors – golds, oranges, reds, and even brown! If it gets too warm in the afternoon, simply removing one of your layers will help. My staples for this time of year are my boots, leggings, and cardigans. - Grab your PSL.
This is not the place to shame girls who like pumpkin spice lattes – but, unfortunately, I’m not the biggest fan of the taste (but I love anything fall-scented). If you’re like me and don’t care too much for pumpkin spice, grab your favorite tea (I like green tea with lemon and honey) or hot chocolate and sit snuggly by the fire or next to a loved one. Perfect way to warm up and get you in the spirit of the season. Light a candle for good measure (I love anything that smells like spices or baked goods). - Get your sunlight in.
With the days getting shorter, seasonal depression can start hitting around this time. The shorter amount of sunlight can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythms and also lower vitamin D levels – both of which can contribute to lower moods and depressive behavior changes. These symptoms can be alleviated with light therapy lamps that mimic the light from the sun. - Watch your favorite fall movies.
I’m a horror movie girl – I love Scream, The Conjuring, Nightmare on Elm Street – if you’ve been meaning to get into the classics, fall is the perfect time (especially with the new Halloween Kills being released earlier this month). If horror isn’t your thing, there are still movies like Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, and Scary Godmother to get you into the spirit. - Curl up with a book.
I’ll admit that I haven’t been great about reading between school and work, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have some great recommendations if you’re looking for the perfect book to read as you sip your warm drink and snuggle under the covers, or sitting outside watching the leaves fall. You could read horror/crime novels – Misery by Stephen King is one that filled me with dread but kept me wanting to read more, Campfire by Shawn Sarles is an homage to campy teen horror movies, House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland is a mystery involving three sisters coming to terms with what happened when they disappeared as children, and Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix is like haunted IKEA. If you’re more on the squeamish side, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is perfectly spooky without being overwhelming. - Fall into autumn.
Once the leaves start turning, that’s the perfect time to jump into piles like a kid, or have a fun photoshoot! Visit a pumpkin patch, hayride, or haunted house to really check some things off your fall bucket list. Do all of the cheesy things you see in the movies. If you’re in Georgia, Stone Mountain Park dresses up for Halloween in the best of ways. - Decorate your space.
Time to hit up the Target dollar section for all your spooky needs. It doesn’t take a lot to dress up your space for autumn – a few pumpkins here and there, maybe some string lights or even a garland, sprinkle some leaves in place. If you’re into Halloween, there’s plenty of spooky things that won’t break the bank. I’ve even seen Halloween trees, which are basically like mini Christmas trees but black and gnarled looking with purple, orange, and other spooky ornaments. Set out your favorite cozy throw blankets to snuggle up in wherever you are. - Satisfy that sweet tooth.
I’m not much for sweets, but there’s something special about having a bowl of candy at the ready during this time of year. I wish I was an avid baker, but again, if you are, there’s plenty of recipes to try out – and you can even invite people to join! I also love seeing Halloween versions of food like “bloody” fruit punch, themed cocktails, or spookyyy spaghetti. Whatever floats your boat.
As we can see, I’m obsessed with the season. And even with my busy schedule, I’m trying to make time for everything on this list at least once. Of course, it doesn’t have to be fall for you to enjoy these activities, but I think the season is just the icing on the cake.