My Ode to Autumn: Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

September brings many new things: the beginning of a new school year, the fall season of TV shows, a ridiculous amount of people trying to get the perfect picture of multicolored leaves swirling in the wind, pumpkin spice flavoured (or scented) everything. People seem to like the changing seasons, but I believe there’s something about autumn that is more than the superficial excitement over coffee and new styles. 

Most people like fall because of the atmosphere, there’s something so comfortable and familiar about the warm scent of pumpkin and cinnamon, the cozy feeling of being wrapped in an oversized sweater. The leaves changing colour make the world seem alive and yet, simultaneously brings a sense of peace. The hot excitement and energy of summer transforms into something more calm and orderly. 

With autumn also comes a new school year, and at the beginning it’s exciting – not yet bogged down with the stress of too many assignments and activities to balance. There’s also the fun and solidarity of homecoming; nothing is more exciting than representing your school and feeling like a part of big group of people as they cheer, party and generally have a good time. 

There are also old traditions that repeat themselves each year. The advent of the holiday season is marked with pumpkin picking, the childish nostalgia of Halloween, and the simultaneous feeling of dread and excitement at the thought of Thanksgiving. 

Sure, there are annoyances; TV spoilers, essays, deadlines, family gatherings where plenty of uncomfortable questions and jokes about your major will be made, the annoying Christmas music that starts playing in grocery stores as early as October. But Fall, to me, will always be the most colourful and inviting season.