Don’t Rush My Spook Season
As we prepare for what many lovingly call “Mariah Carey season,” I have to ask—what's the rush? Seriously, summer just left us about three weeks ago, and while we were all ready for pumpkin spice lattes and spooky Halloween décor, there’s something odd happening in stores right now. Christmas decorations have already started creeping in, and it’s barely mid-October! Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for being prepared, but can we at least get through Halloween and enjoy some turkey and dressing before we dive headfirst into the winter wonderland?
It’s like the holiday seasons are being fast-forwarded, and for what? Is there some cosmic event we’re all late to? Did COVID shift our perception of time so much that we feel the need to rush through everything? Maybe it did. The pandemic threw us into a strange time warp, where days bled into weeks, and seasons became almost meaningless as we spent so much time indoors. But still, does that mean we have to deck the halls when the leaves are just beginning to turn?
There’s something off about this urgency to push the seasons faster. Could it be that retail stores are trying to get a jump on holiday sales? Probably. Or maybe we’ve collectively adopted this mindset of “What’s next?” instead of fully soaking in the present. Whatever the case, the rush to slap up Christmas lights and put out snowflake decorations feels like we're skipping over a part of the year that’s just as valuable—the cozy in-between of fall and Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving, in particular, often feels like the overlooked middle child of the holiday season. It doesn’t have the spooky excitement of Halloween, and it doesn’t come with the glittering lights and caroling of Christmas. But there’s something special about the simplicity of gathering with loved ones, enjoying good food, and reflecting on gratitude. It's a moment to pause, breathe, and appreciate before the holiday chaos kicks into full gear. So why rush through it?
As for Mariah Carey season, trust me—we aren’t in a rush for that either. When it’s time, we’ll all happily cue up "All I Want for Christmas Is You", but until then, let’s enjoy the pumpkin pies, warm drinks, and crisp fall air. There’s beauty in savoring each season for what it is.
I want to encourage you to slow down this year. Life moves fast enough as it is, and if anything, the last few years have shown us how important it is to truly enjoy each moment. Take the time to appreciate the holidays as they come, instead of rushing through them. Halloween? Get spooky. Thanksgiving? Gather with loved ones, enjoy that second helping of mashed potatoes, and count your blessings. Christmas will get here soon enough, and when it does, you’ll have all the time you need to embrace the festivities.
So as we inch closer to the winter holidays, remember this: there’s no need to fast-forward through fall or skip over Thanksgiving. Take the time to enjoy each day, each season, and each moment for what it is. We’re not racing towards the finish line—we’re living life. And when Mariah Carey’s time comes, we’ll be ready, without rushing a thing.