Everyone around me loves Halloween and Fall; I now find it depressing and I don’t know what changed

[Anonymous]

I used to enjoy it as a kid and have fond memories of Halloween. As an adult it seems the adults around me all have a love for Halloween and Fall in general. My neighbor was saying it’s her favorite holiday. A couple of good friends, my husband and teenage daughter have Fall as their favorite season. They’ve been mentioning this more and more lately as we get into Fall.

The closer it gets the more depressing it seems. Costume shopping for my kids is probably the most exciting part for me but the day of Halloween it just seems not exciting at all.

Depressing probably isn’t the right word but it seems like I have such a letdown feeling about Halloween and Fall. Maybe it’s the end of Summer I feel or I generally don’t like Fall? Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday also.

I don’t know what changed over the years but I just don’t enjoy Halloween or Fall anymore.

[Anonymous]

I hear you, OP. Summer is ending, days are getting shorter, winter will be here, everyone is indoors, etc, etc, etc.

I loved Halloween as a kid when it was one day. Now, it's a huge season, and I find it super annoying. Adults use it as an excuse to party, there is always some drama about who is trick or treating with whom, or who is dressing up together.

Took me a while to realize I hated Halloween, but here we are!

[Anonymous]

I dislike the period from late October to New Years. There are just too many social and familial expectations and the days keep getting shorter. I always feel relieved when we finally get to January.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dislike the period from late October to New Years. There are just too many social and familial expectations and the days keep getting shorter. I always feel relieved when we finally get to January.

+1

And I hate hearing Chrismas music for two months straight everywhere and seeing commercials ordering me to spend money and on top of that be happy happy happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. Summer is ending, days are getting shorter, winter will be here, everyone is indoors, etc, etc, etc.

I loved Halloween as a kid when it was one day. Now, it's a huge season, and I find it super annoying. Adults use it as an excuse to party, there is always some drama about who is trick or treating with whom, or who is dressing up together.

Took me a while to realize I hated Halloween, but here we are!

+1. I no longer hate Halloween, but that’s only because the kids are now past ToT ages.

In general, the only thing worse than fall is winter. I have SAD and the short gray days are literally depressing. I can handle the shorter days when they’re sunny and crisp, but gray rainy days like today - yuck!

PS people on DCUM generally think you’re weird if you don’t think summer sucks, so be prepared for an onslaught of “at least we’re done with the summer” crowd.

[Anonymous]

Fall is my least favorite season. I've never liked Halloween, I hate the colors orange and brown, I don't like anything pumpkin, and I desperately miss every minute of sunshine we lose each day.

So mostly I just try to find things I do like such as soups and foods I don't tend to eat in the summer, sweaters I like to wear, cozy clothes around the house, fun nights in, etc. You don't need to like what everyone else likes about Fall, just find some things you do and enjoy!

[Anonymous]

I love summer and always hate the impending cold weather

[Anonymous]

To be honest I try to just get into everything. Summer means pool, blackberries and fresh peaches, fall is about fall festivals, apples, new school years, and fall produce. Winter we get snow and hot chocolate, and visit family for Christmas. Spring is flowers and planting the garden.

I used to find January and February among the hardest months. The darkness, I can't garden, nothing is particularly in season. Nowadays, one of my kids was born in January so we have his birthday and that's a project to look forward to.

[Anonymous]

You guys are my people. I don't exactly hate fall, it's fine... but I do hate winter, and the impending doom of the season is just depressing. I love gardening and being out and about, and the thought of 30 degree days in slush and ice makes it hard to enjoy this transitional time however nice 68 degree days are now.

Then, Halloween just seems like a lot of work (with grade school kids) and I am super not into horror or even a spooky aesthetic. I think I *could* like Halloween if it was just everyone else with yard decor and costumes and gourds, etc. and I could just mosey around and appreciate their commitment to the season. But alas, kids do not want to be bystanders to the big event so I am the one with the yard decor and costumes and gourds...

Just counting down the days until March 20, 2026.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You guys are my people. I don't exactly hate fall, it's fine... but I do hate winter, and the impending doom of the season is just depressing. I love gardening and being out and about, and the thought of 30 degree days in slush and ice makes it hard to enjoy this transitional time however nice 68 degree days are now.

Then, Halloween just seems like a lot of work (with grade school kids) and I am super not into horror or even a spooky aesthetic. I think I *could* like Halloween if it was just everyone else with yard decor and costumes and gourds, etc. and I could just mosey around and appreciate their commitment to the season. But alas, kids do not want to be bystanders to the big event so I am the one with the yard decor and costumes and gourds...

Just counting down the days until March 20, 2026.

You and me both. I need sun and heat.

[Anonymous]

I hate that Halloween now lasts an entire month and it’s just another gross excuse for overconsumption, not just of cheap candy, but of cheap, mass produced crap. Like, we really don’t need skeleton heads that look like disco balls or special soap dispensers shaped like ghosts. It was such a special holiday when it was one night only and more of a DIY affair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love summer and always hate the impending cold weather

Same! I need to move to the tropics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate that Halloween now lasts an entire month and it’s just another gross excuse for overconsumption, not just of cheap candy, but of cheap, mass produced crap. Like, we really don’t need skeleton heads that look like disco balls or special soap dispensers shaped like ghosts. It was such a special holiday when it was one night only and more of a DIY affair.

At least its just a month in your neighborhood. Our neighbor has it's 15 foot skeleton up beginning in August, which is still a benefit from idiots who leave one up all year, and decorate it for each holiday. When did every neighborhood need 2-3 haunted houses that take months to decorate? What a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Only loved Halloween when kids were little and wanted to participate. I have never waited for holiday magic to happen organically for any holiday, because Hallmark movie moments just doesn't happen for us. So, I made sure that my kids had special memories of all holidays and I made it happen.

All kids with their parents in the neighborhood were invited to my house to have pizza, nuggets and mac n cheese dinner. We took lots of pics and then started TOT from my house and went around the neighborhood in a big group. All neighbors knew when the TOT will happen. Those who did not want TOTers to come to their house, had to keep their porch lights switched off.

Within 1 hr - TOT was wrapped up in the neighborhood. If Halloween fell on a weekend, we had a neighborhood potluck and a parade of costumed kids. Seriously, it is not so deep.

Recently, a neighbor lamented that I do not do these holidays anymore and her "grandkids" don't get to enjoy it. Yeah, my kids are grown and I have no grandkids. Lady, make either the holidays happen for your loved ones or be very happy watching netflix.

It is depressing only if you have FOMO or if you are deluded into thinking that no effort is needed for lovely holiday moments.

[Anonymous]

I detest the suffocating heat and mosquitoes of summer, so I'm always happier in any other season. I'm not American and did not grow up in a culture that celebrates Halloween or Thanksgiving, so I don't really care about those holidays. But I do like the cooler weather, leaves changing color, then snow, and spring renewal (sadly marred by pollen allergies).