The holiday season is finally here and, if I hear one more person say it is cuffing season, I’m going to lose it.
For those who don’t know, cuffing season occurs when winter begins, the weather gets colder and people feel the need to get into relationships, according to an Oct. 17, 2022 article by the Cleveland Clinic.
It’s as if once it starts getting colder, people’s hearts get warmer, and all of a sudden everyone is in a relationship.
I get it, the holidays are filled with feelings of warmth, joy and laughter. Of course people are going to want to share that with others.
However, society has romanticized the holiday season to the point where I no longer look forward to it, and social media is to blame.
Go on Instagram and you’ll see couples going out on dates to pumpkin patches, getting matching pajamas and going out to Christmas in the Park.
Christmas in the Park is a non-profit organization that displays Christmas-themed decorations, trees and entertainment in San José during the Christmas season, according to its website.
Meanwhile, single people are cooped up in their rooms consuming all that heartwarming content and feeling lonely.
It’s not a good feeling, especially for those who are single, going through a breakup or even experiencing seasonal depression.
Seasonal depression is a real thing.
When you experience this kind of depression, your body literally has reduced levels of serotonin, vitamin D and melatonin which are all essential to our bodies, according to a fact sheet by the National Institute of Mental Health.
If you’re already going through a hard time and scrolling on your phone like the rest of us, you’re bound to feel down about it.
It sucks because in reality, relationships on social media are surface level. I hate to say it but not all of them are as jolly as they seem.
Social media has the power to make it seem like everyone is living their best lives and in return, make you feel like you should be doing the same and that’s not realistic.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a lover girl at heart and I am not hating on relationships as a whole.
I’m also not saying every relationship is corrupt and that we should all just be single for the holidays.
I would hope that people realize there is so much more joy to be experienced and shared within the next few months, with or without a significant other.
It’s totally OK to spend this time with friends and family. We can take a break from our busy lives as college students to go back home and spend time with our families.
Go to the pumpkin patches with your girls. Watch Christmas movies and drink hot chocolate in your cute pajamas with your siblings.
We can check up on those who are struggling with seasonal depression.
Friendsgiving where friends gather and cook up a nice Thanksgiving meal to share together could suffice.
Love doesn’t solely apply to romantic relationships. Love can be platonic.
If that doesn’t work, we always have ourselves too. The holiday season can also be a time for self-love.
Go on solo drives and look at all the Christmas lights. Take the time to find yourself a nice Christmas present.
Forget cuffing season. Let’s do bulking season, hit the gym and work towards the bodies we desire.
Most people in their 20’s are trying to find themselves and figure out where they fit in this world.
It can be daunting and it doesn’t help when you’re worried about finding a boo for cuffing season.
With that being said, let’s cater to our own growth and make sure we take care of ourselves these holidays because there is so much more to life than a relationship, and people fail to realize that.
