Fall has arrived. Well it actually arrived several weeks ago, but that’s not the point. It is finally sweater and pumpkin-spice latte weather (yes I am that basic person on campus). Believe it or not, there are other elements of Fall. Crazy I know. Foliage, apple cider, Halloween, just to name a few. Fall is my favorite season and when I was little I relished in Halloween and the promise of more holiday celebrations to come. I spent time helping my mom decorate the house and composing a list of all the Halloween movies I wanted to watch before the end of the month.
Prepping for the season was all attainable when I was in elementary and middle school, but once I reached high school and then later college, these traditions became more and more unrealistic. When you have to manage homework, extracurricular activities, working out, socializing, and doing your laundry, it can be hard to let yourself breathe during the holiday season, but I am here to tell you that it is not just important, but vital that you take a break and let yourself breathe. This doesn’t mean taking an entire day off (or maybe so); just 30 minutes can refresh your mind and allow you to connect with the current season.
Below are some tips and tricks I have crafted for the Halloween season so that even if you feel like you only have time to eat, sleep, and repeat you can manage to add some festive elements into your schedule.
Hot Drinks Galore
Obviously, I would suggest trying a pumpkin spice latte (with almond milk may I add) to take a sip of what I imagine Fall would taste like, but there are indeed other options (gasp). Have some tea, a new flavor of coffee, hot chocolate, or hot apple cider to fill you with warmth and hopefully, with each sip, a layer of stress will melt away.
Decorating Your Room
Every year my mom creates a magnificent display on our fireplace mantel for each holiday. I cannot compete with this (and not just because I don’t have a fireplace in my room), but that doesn’t mean I – and you – can’t spice up your dorm room for Fall/Halloween. Choose a space in your room you want to encentuate and either bring back some decorations from home, buy a few locally, or make your own! Even just a small pumpkin can put you in the spirit (trust me). The added bonus of a pumpkin is that you can carve or decorate it, depending on what equipment you have available.
Snuggle In and Watch a Movie
I think most of us have that particular Halloween movie that just makes us smile and puts us in the spirit. For me, Halloweentown through and through. Schedule a night to take a break from work and stay in for the night. Get some blankets, a mug of a hot drink of your choice, and turn on a movie. Snuggle into the depths of your blanket and try your best to let all the stress melt away.
Getting Cozy
As I mentioned above, being comfy and cozy (and warm to avoid those nasty colds) is part of my survival mode during the colder months at college. Include at least one comfy aspect into your outfit whether it’s a sweater, big scarf, or hat. Try to find expression in warm clothing and don’t be afraid to whip out those sweatpants and make them lazy-chic!
Trick-Or-Treat!
Okay, so I know there is this “rule” that you really can’t go trick-or-treating past middle school, but that doesn’t mean you are banned from candy. Stock up on your favorite candy in your room and slip one or two treats into your backpack so you can munch on them when you need a boost throughout the day. Biting into a kit kat or crunch bar tends to bring me back to my trick-or-treating days, a sentiment that always tends to make me feel better no matter how much work I have ahead of me.