Every year, as soon as the first chill slips into air, the world shifts from the sunny rays to fall mode. Coffee shops sprinkle the pumpkin spice magic and put it in everything, literally. Social media fills with golden-leaf backdrops, and suddenly every girl’s wardrobe channel their inner Gilmore Girls. Some may say that fall is over-romanticized, but maybe that’s the point. Let’s talk about it.
The beauty that autumn holds lies in how it invites us to slow down and breathe. The crunch of leaves, the ritual of wrapping funny scarves around our necks, the warm glow of scented candles that take over the grey afternoon, all of these small pleasures make us feel richer. The concept of over-romanticizing fall doesn’t make the season cheap; it elevates it and is a constant reminder of finding beauty in the mundane before winter slips in.
It is no ordinary thing that some of our favorite comforting shows and movies take place in a fall setting. Think about Rory and Lorelai Gilmore in Stars Hollow, covered in shades of brown with coffee in hand, or the classic “back to school” nostalgia of When Harry Met Sally, with Central Park dressed in all shades of fire. The trends on social media shift their focus to “cozy girl aesthetic,” and everyone starts getting their life together. These cultural touchstones remind us that fall isn’t just a season, it’s a mood, a lifestyle.
There is something about the fall’s nostalgia. It’s the season of apple-picking, pumpkin carvings, and binge-watching Hocus Pocus, Harry Potter, or scary Halloween movies with our loved ones. This isn’t about just the aesthetic; it’s about the bonding, the common ground between all of us that reminds us of our childhood. The idea of hosting some movie nights with friends and family, ordering in pizza, and making hot cocoa with a side of homemade cookies isn’t just aesthetic; it’s living life and enjoying without having to worry about anything.
Now, the critics will argue that all this hype around fall is pure marketing and nothing else. But, maybe leaning into seasonal wonder, even if it’s marketed to us, is still a way of creating connection and comfort. Even if being marketed to buy a vanilla-scented candle can give us happiness and motivation to work more, then what’s the issue?
Here’s a secret: romanticizing fall isn’t really about the leaves or the lattes or the infamous scarves. It’s about permission. The permission to slow down in life. Permission to indulge in the small joys of life, even if it’s with a latte. It gives us permission to look at our everyday life and see it as something beautiful, even cinematic. If believing in the magic of fall makes a walk to the library feel like a scene from Dead Poets Society or turns a rainy night into the perfect excuse for comfort food and a movie marathon, then maybe that “over-romanticizing” is exactly what we need.
Choosing Joy in Autumn
In a world that often feels rushed and restless, what’s wrong with creating a little seasonal wonder? If laughing at a pumpkin patch and having a mug of cider makes you feel happy, then enjoy it. You deserve everything that fall has to offer. After all, falling for fall isn’t about exaggerating reality; it’s about choosing joy. Isn’t this the perfect love story?