Call me a ghoulish Grinch or a scary Scrooge, but I just can’t help the fact that I don’t love Halloween. This is the story of how I dealt with that startling realization and how far I’ve come since then. If you’re a Halloween hater too, or even if you’re the spookiest person you know, keep reading for some killer tips to make the season great.
First off, I’d like to establish that I never experienced any traumas involving Halloween when I was a kid. In fact, my parents love Halloween and dressed up alongside my sister and me for many years. My mom helped us make our costumes when the store didn’t quite satisfy our imaginations, and I had a great deal of fun trick-or-treating during most years. Pictured below is me in what I still think is the best costume I’ve ever worn: the Mona Lisa (I look sad in this photo, but I was definitely just trying to recreate her face in the painting).
So, where did it all start then? I don’t have a single clue. I think somewhere around the time I stopped trick-or-treating, I stopped feeling excited for the so-called “spooky season.” I’m not a huge fan of horror movies, candy isn’t discounted until after Halloween passes, dressing up is a whole lot of pressure and haunted houses just aren’t for me. I realized that Halloween is just another day of the year.
Of course, for many years, I never admitted that out loud. I could only imagine the outcries there’d be from my rowdiest friends who were completely hyped up over Halloween parties, costume choices and free candy. “What’s wrong with you?” they’d say. “What do you mean you don’t like Halloween?”
I faked it for as long as I could until finally, about three years ago, I decided that I’d had enough. It was at that point that I earned a reputation for being a dreaded “Halloween hater.” Now while I can admit it’s not my favorite day of the year, the good news is that I love the season it’s in.
If you called me a hoe for fall, you’d be spot on. There’s nothing more satisfying than walking outside and knowing that fall is here. Bring on the corn mazes, the changing leaves (in places other than Florida), the pumpkin spice muffins and the sweet smell of bonfires.
Since declaring my distaste for Halloween, I’ve found different ways to make this season special for myself that have nothing to do with goblins or ghouls. Here are some ridiculous things you can do to capitalize on the spooky season and some other wholesome tips for making your fall magical.
The ridiculous
- Take advantage of the Halloween costume hysteria by wearing the absolute craziest pieces in your wardrobe! If someone asks you what you’re doing, simply let them know what month it is.
- Use this time to scour Instagram and see if your crush is single or not. No cute pics in front of a pumpkin patch with a significant other? No couples costume in sight? This could be a sign that you’re safe to shoot your shot.
- Keep an eye out for which of your friends are the easiest to scare. This is the perfect time for the best scary pranks you can think of!
- Stock up on all of the Halloween and fall-themed products you can. By the time it’s Nov. 1, they’re going to start rolling out the Christmas decorations again.
The wholesome
- Reflect on how far you’ve come in the last year and think about things that you might need to change. There’s no better time to take a break and accept new beginnings.
- Soak in all of the picture-perfect moments that autumn brings. Try running through a pumpkin patch with your best friends or watching golden hour pass through the changing leaves.
- Start getting up early and making the most of each day. As the days start getting shorter, it can be easy to feel unmotivated and unproductive. Use this time to transition into a different mindset and make sure you don’t fall prey to the short day scaries.
I’ve lost all hope for ever catching the Halloween craze that everyone else seems to have, but over the years I’ve learned an important lesson. I don’t have to pretend to love Halloween just because everyone else does, appreciating the season in my own way is more than enough.
Images: First and second images provided by Ashley Rickman, 3, 4