Walking around campus this week, I’ve noticed that the air is cooler, the sun is setting earlier, and I’m not constantly feeling suffocated by the ridiculous coastal humidity. This realization brings excitement to most of us, as it means that we now can wear our boots, tights and sweaters without risking heatstroke. Fall is upon us, ladies, and I don’t know about you all, but I’m counting down the days until the leaves turn red.
With fall comes many things – bonfires, pumpkin patches, HALLOWEEN! – but one thing that I am dreading is the relatively new trend many like to call “cuffing season.” Cuffing season, for those who aren’t hip to the term, is a time of year when those who are single (and enjoy being single) suddenly find themselves in desperate need of a relationship.
Many factors are involved in this phenomenon, and, quite honestly, it’s understandable why. When the air gets colder, you spend less time doing fun activities outside and more time relaxing indoors. I have found that when it’s cold, I turn into a hermit and curl up in my blankets reading or watching movies instead of going out. This lack of constant socializing and activity makes many feel the need for a significant other who can fill that void of loneliness (and act as a personal heater when your seven blankets don’t cut it).
Other than the cold and lonely days, being “cuffed” does have its perks during the latter months of the year. You now have someone to go on cute, fall themed dates with. You can force your significant other to take cliche pictures of you in a pile of leaves, or get a stranger to take one of the both of you. Do it for the ‘gram, am I right?
Having a significant other also gives you someone to bring to family events, which always pick up around the holidays. No more “Are you still scaring away the boys?” questions from your nosey relatives. The significant other often eases awkward tensions during family gatherings by being a distraction from the focus being on your own life: what your grades are, if you’ve chosen a major, why you don’t have a detailed plan for the next twenty years of your life…
While these reasons for participating in cuffing season are very convincing, I am fighting with all that I have to not let myself wish for a boy who can fulfill these “necessities.” In reality, I don’t want a boyfriend. At all. I like being an independent woman, not having to worry about loyalty, love, and texting someone back right away. Relationships are great and all, but unless I meet my soul mate in the next few weeks, I’m not going to settle for someone so I don’t have to be “lonely.”
For some, the idea of “cuffing season” is great. It gets them through the winter months, and can even lead to a long lasting relationship. But for me, I don’t need a trend to tell me how to get through the cold weather – that’s what fuzzy blankets and hot chocolate are for.
Title image courtesy of Pixabay.