Every year, when I walk into a store on Nov. 1, I’m bombarded with gingerbread lattes, shelves full of candy canes, and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Winter doesn’t officially start until Dec. 21, but it feels like fall disappears the second October ends, as if November doesn’t exist at all.
Fall may not be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but this in-between season comes and goes too fast. At the beginning of October, we’re drinking pumpkin spice lattes and planning our Halloween costumes; just four weeks later, we’re wearing Santa hats and thinking about winter break. We’re barely past the halfway mark of autumn, so why are we celebrating winter so early?
Even if you don’t observe a winter holiday, the “holiday season” — described by Merriam-Webster dictionary as “the time from late November through January when several holidays (such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve) happen” — brings a sense of busyness. While this time is meant to be relaxing and spirited, it often ends up stressful. In fact, a 2023 poll by the American Psychological Association reported that 41% of respondents said their stress levels increase during this season compared to other times of the year. Add the rush of back to school and the commotion of New Year’s, and the end of the year goes by in a draining hurry. With all this stress, we need time to breathe, and that’s where November comes in.
For me, November is the most tranquil time of year, with crisp air and the crunch of red, yellow, and orange leaves on the ground. Taking the time to savor this month offers a necessary break and the opportunity to reset before the new year begins. There’s no need to fast-forward to the next big thing.
November is also the month of Thanksgiving. Some may argue that Thanksgiving festivities add to the stress, but it’s also about celebrating family, appreciating friends, and practicing gratitude. A research study from the National Library of Medicine found that “patients who underwent gratitude interventions” had better moods, improved mental health, and reduced anxiety and depression. By pausing winter, celebrating Thanksgiving, and practicing gratitude, we can better prepare ourselves for the holiday stress.
I find that the “pause” the fall season offers, coupled with Thanksgiving’s focus on being thankful, is a chance to stop the mad rush of life, look back on the previous year, and prepare for the next. It’s unfortunate that November — a time meant for calm reflection — is overshadowed by anticipation for the upcoming holidays.
We don’t need Mariah Carey and iced gingerbread chai lattes in November. Instead, we should take a moment to appreciate fall, even if it is just a quiet lull.
