Not to brag, but I liked fall before it was cool. I’ve always been into fall activities like pumpkin picking and corn mazes. I love the picturesque scene of leaves changing colors. Thanksgiving and Halloween parties are always a great time. In New Jersey, we’re fortunate enough (sometimes) to experience all of the seasons, and after living this way for so long, I don’t think my year would feel complete if I didn’t actually get to experience fall.

I think that my love for fall stems from the fact that I just really don’t like going outside that much. Every time I think about hanging out outside in the summer, all I can think is that no outside seating will be as comfortable as my couch and that I can’t control the temperature outside. That sounds super uncomfortable to me! At least in the fall, if you do have to venture outdoors, all of the worst parts about being outside in the summer (boob sweat, bugs, and people) are lessened!

During the summer, people invite me out places, and I have to come up with so many excuses not to go that they either start becoming unbelievable or I have to use the same excuse way too many times. Telling your friends that you have to stay home and wash your hair isn’t very convincing when they know that you don’t shower all that often! In the fall, all of those friends that asked me to come outside with them are now making plans to do indoor activities. Fall is when I COME ALIVE. I was getting chills just talking to my friend the other day about all of the things we need to do this fall and winter because I can’t wait! So many crafts to make, TV shows to binge, and foods to make! All from the comfort of my own home.

Not to mention that there are plenty other indoor activities like escape rooms, axe throwing, paint nights, arcades, cooking classes. You know, all of those activities that people didn’t want to do with me in the summer because they “wanted to be outside.” Now, I won’t get judged by people for not leaving my house, but I still avoid being subjected to the outdoors. Amazing. Plus, now that school is back in session, the odds are that there will be fewer kids out and about when partaking in these activities. Win-win!

But even when I am forced to be outdoors, fall is the best time to be outside because of the temperate weather. I’ve always preferred to have temperatures in the mid-range, as opposed to hot or cold. Whenever the weather is at one extreme or another, I come across someone who is saying that we should be grateful that it’s not in the opposite direction.

“It may be hot, but at least it’s not snowing!” or vice versa. So of course, my response has to be:

“Nah, I’ll complain about the weather then, too.”

I just hate being even very slightly physically uncomfortable, and there’s nothing more uncomfortable than being exposed to the elements and unable to get my body back to a normal temperature. Fall is the start of sweater weather, which not only means that I get to wear warm sweaters without a jacket but also that I get to be cozy all the time. As someone who is dedicated to feeling like I’m wearing pajamas both when staying in and going out, fall is perfect because I get to wear warm and fuzzy sweaters that basically make me feel like I never got out from under my blankets. 

As if sweaters weren’t comfy enough, fall is also the start of scarf season, and as someone who owns what some people would consider “way too many scarves,” I love when I get to bundle up with my scarf collection! Wearing sweaters, scarves, and boots while drinking a latte just plays into my aesthetic so perfectly.

It’s also the perfect time of year because I can get both iced or hot lattes. Some mornings, I might feel like I need to bundle up with a hot beverage, but some afternoons, I might want to cool down with something iced. In the immortal words of Hannah Montana, you get the beeeeeeest of both worlds! People also stop looking at me like I’m crazy for enjoying soups. I could eat soup year-round, but when I eat soup in the summer, I get looked at like I’ve committed a federal crime. Seriously?! Can I not enjoy warm foods when it’s warm out?! Just let me eat my sweaty soup in peace!

I will admit, I also indulge in some delicious pumpkin treats as well. Feel free to call me basic. If that means that I still get my iced latte with pumpkin spice cold foam, then I will take any nickname you’d like. It’s really not my fault that I have great taste. But it doesn’t stop with the pumpkin drinks! There are pumpkin cookies, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin scones. Pumpkin treats are the best, and since I can only get them in fall, fall must be the best season.

Finally, the most exciting thing about fall is that I get to start getting ready for Christmas and listening to Christmas music! Yes, I am one of those people who loves Christmas and would listen to Christmas music year-round if I could. The problem is that when I start listening to Christmas music too early, I run through all of my favorite albums super fast and end up getting sick of them by December. Now that Christmas is just beyond the horizon, I can start preparing and celebrating with little-to-no judgement!

So put on a sweater and enjoy your favorite pumpkin treats, everyone! Fall is upon us, and it’s time to get super cozy and not feel obligated to leave the house ever again!

Photography by my talented fiancé. You can find him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hope_grows_here/