I will eternally be confused by the weather in the Northeast. It simply cannot make up its mind, and for that reason, I can’t either. One day it’s whipping winds and a raging monsoon, the next day, it’s 80 degrees and sunny. This time of year has my head spinning in full rotation, and I have New England’s climate moodiness to thank for that. For somebody who is affected by the weather and changing of the seasons, the indecisiveness of Mother Nature and the abrupt transitions between warm and cold leave me rather unsettled. Just when I get adjusted to a certain phase of life, a new one comes along, marked by the coming and going of major seasonal shifts in the blink of an eye.
Neither here nor there, the early weeks of fall are the definition of ambiguity. This in-between feeling can be sensed among students on campus, just merely based on what everyone is wearing. Common sightings include leggings, rain boots and a light jacket combined with another rush of people wearing shorts, long-sleeve tops and the occasional heavy-duty knit sweater. In short, fashion suffers a downfall in the September and October months, a greater visual representation of the dazed mindset of those trying to navigate this confusing time.
One thing is for certain: we are rounding up our first official week of fall, as the calendar instructs. Classes are in swing, temps are dropping (somewhat) and pumpkin-spiced lattes are making a comeback. But, I still find it hard to shift seasonal gears as I am very much immersed in the slower, relaxed days of summer, which were still lingering up to a week ago when I was having a glorious beach day on the coast of Massachusetts. Maybe it’s just me, but my mood tends to coordinate with the weather — I am happiest when the days are longer and the sun shines brighter. There’s something refreshing about being able to walk outdoors without bundles of layers on, simply feeling the sun glaze my face and hearing the birds chirp.
It’s a true statement that sunlight has a direct correlation with happiness and the production of serotonin, so when darkness arrives at 4 p.m., the body’s natural reaction is to slow down and prepare for sleep. I guess that’s why winter is a recognized time for animal hibernation. Yet, ironically, daily responsibilities are as demanding as ever for humans during this time, in comparison to summer when the days are naturally longer.
Oftentimes I’m tempted to pick up my belongings and jet out to the West Coast to appease my sunshine-craving ways, but then the second I let this thought materialize, the idea of leaving the bustling East Coast culture in which I’ve found a home becomes far too difficult. While transitions are tough in the Northeast, the seasons are no doubt a beautiful and scenic portrayal of the elapsing of time, keeping the cycle of life in constant rotation and allowing for the chance of renewal. Nothing lasts forever, neither the good nor bad, and I feel like the changing of the seasons exemplifies this concept perfectly.
Coffee is my lifeline, every morning, afternoon and night—and occasionally in between. Find me café hopping with my nose buried in a book and a cappuccino by my side for good company. I’ll never pass up a chance to explore this adventure-packed city and its unique, bustling yet mellow culture.
