Wtf is a winter arc?

ins and outs this fall + winter because i'm treating this like my journal but for you to view <3

I’ve seen the concept of a “winter arc” splashed all over my for you page and quite frankly I giggle a bit whenever I see it because it’s definitely just “villain era” refurbished and sold as a scheme to buy a Bala Band, a Gymshark set, or some other shit. That being said, maybe I do need a winter arc, but I’ll be figuring out a less edgy name for it. Maybe writing down my personal ins and outs for this season is the best way for me to follow through with them because the few people who see this will expect me to be reliable with this.

OUT:

• a shitty sleep schedule (watching SATC till 4:00AM has got to stop)

• being on the phone for the sake of being on the phone

• ordering takeout when you feel too lazy to cook

• worrying about what everyone might be saying about you

• being insecure about your social media feed - post whatever the fuck you want

• hitting snooze 45 times. I am in fact guilty of this too much

• falling short on some kind of routine. obviously easier said than done, but do it :)

• comparing your life to others - you’ll make it on your own time

• going out with the purpose of getting drunk - maybe i’m just getting older but a hangover is my personal hell and i would rather be in a monogamous relationship with sobriety than ever experience it again (famous last words)

IN:

• self care prioritization - not at the expense of others’ time or energy

• organizing playlists

• wearing what you love / what suits you as opposed to what TikTok is telling you will suit you - not all of us are blonde white women with Eurocentric features and THAT’S FUCKING OKAY.

• eating colorful meals

• starting (and finishing) a harry potter marathon

• journaling - whether it’s on substack or in a literal notebook, unlock that inner elena gilbert and just write about your feelings, what you’re grateful for, what you want in life, or literally a list of guests at your future wedding. nobody is going to care, chicken soup (write) for the soul.

• spending quality time with your pets !!

• accept change - change is so in right now, super trendy and aesthetic or whatever, embrace it.

I had a rough summer but as rough summers go, it’s not as far up there as some are. But despite what Georgia weather is telling me, summer is over. I don’t know what retrogrades were actively fucking with my will to do anything, but they can go fuck themselves because fall and winter is where I thrive. Reverse Seasonal Depression if you will. Maybe a winter arc is exactly what we need to start over with a clean slate.