I am going to say this loud enough for the back row: I love the absolute shit out of Fall, and I do not care who knows it.
The second the calendar page flips to the month of August, I am practically vibrating with excitement for the upcoming season. I’m ready to go balls to the wall with the Crock-Pot, spend full Sundays with the NFL on my TV, indulge in more apple cider than my diabetic ass should ever drink, and huff pumpkin-scented wax melts like my life depends on it. Because honestly? It kind of does.
While the horrors of the unpredictable hellscape that is my journey with perimenopause persist, so do I. And once again, I’m treating myself to the luxury of not caring what trolls and other miscellaneous nay-sayers think about my love of Fall, even if some parts of what makes it my happy time have become more commercialized and clichéd with each passing year. If a seasonal beverage and a crisp breeze can save me from committing acts of violence during a mood swing, I am going to lean into it. Hard.
So go ahead and roll your eyes and post your tired-ass memes about the impending pumpkin spice takeover. I’ll just be over here sharing exactly why the Autumn-obsessed should be making zero apologies for loving the best season of the year.
It’s Not Just a Season, It’s a Survival Mechanism
For the midlife crowd (and honestly anyone who just doesn’t get down with hot weather), Autumn isn’t just an aesthetic—it’s an absolute lifesaver.
The Anti-Hot-Flash Climate: When your internal temperature control feels like it’s constantly on the fritz, a crisp 55°F breeze can hold more healing powers than any air conditioner.
The Power of Strategic Layers: Fall fashion is built on cardigans, shackets, and scarves. Some see it as an overdone Fall cliché. I see it as tactical gear for when you need to strip down to a tank top in three seconds flat.
Early Darkness, Early Sleep: Shorter days mean the rest of the world finally matches your desire to call it a day by 8:00 PM. This is not to say your sleep troubles are magically corrected by shorter days, but I feel like it gives a bit more of a fighting chance for getting the rest you need.
Dopamine in a Mug: Hunting Down Simple Joys
Beyond the physical relief brought on by cooler days, I think we also need to talk about the sheer mental health boost of it all. Perimenopause (and a wide variety of other conditions) can do a number on your brain chemistry, making it harder to find happiness in everyday moments. When the world is stressful and your physical and emotional exhaustion are battling to see which one will kill you first, you have to track down some dopamine wherever you can find it.
For example, scent is definitely wired to the brain’s emotional center. The simple act of lighting a seasonally-scented candle can instantly trigger feelings of warmth, safety, and comfort or bring back a happy memory from a simpler time. Or maybe you’re holding a warm mug of hot cider or that fresh PSL. This can be a sensory experience that can calm a chaotic headspace and make you feel more steady.
If a fuzzy blanket or a favorite hoodie or the scents and sounds of Fall rain make you smile, own it. Life is just too short to let miserable strangers dictate what we are allowed to enjoy. Very simply, fuck ’em.
The Ultimate Holiday Runway: Setting the Celebratory Vibe
Autumn objectively owns the absolute best holidays on the calendar. It is the true gateway to a festive season that lets us dress up in costumes, eat amazing comfort foods, and completely part ways with the societal pressure brought on by the concept of the “summer body.”
The cozy, grounding vibes of Autumn serve as the perfect runway for the rest of the winter celebrations. It gently warms up the crowd and helps people ease into the holiday spirit—whether you are preparing for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or just looking forward to the winter solstice. Fall sets the emotional stage, making the transition into those winter months feel more like a gift than a curse.
🏈🎃🧣👢The Bottom Line 🦃🍂☕🍁
Look, I know this is entirely my own personal opinion. I am not the world’s designated speaker for all of the sweaty, over-40 bitches, but I also know deep down in my bones that I can’t be the only one out there with these exact same seasonal sentiments.
When it comes down to it, Fall is just objectively the total package. It gives those with a perpetually broken internal thermostat a cold, refreshing break. It delivers a chemical-free and very, VERY much-needed dopamine hit right to our brains through the simple magic of hot mugs, scented candles, and cozy attire. And to top it all off, it rolls out the absolute best welcome mat of the entire year to ease us gently into the winter holiday spirit.
I know who I am (most days, anyway), and I honestly feel like I am the absolute best version of myself during my favorite season. Summer Penny and Fall Penny are two vastly different animals. My mood is generally better, my anxiety is a little easier to manage, and I cherish the opportunity to feel comfortable in my own skin again. If Autumn does that for you too, then this is your official reminder that you deserve to shine right now. Do not let anyone else shit on your happiness just because they want to stay miserable and sweaty.
Buy the overpriced coffee, light the apple-cinnamon candle, wear your favorite knit sweater even if it’s still 80 degrees outside, and take a page from my ‘Ber months book: don’t let anyone shame you out of your joy.
I Can't Be The Only One 
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