The October Theory

As the sun begins to set and summer fades away, the autumn leaves welcome another Oregon fall. The crisp wind, reuniting with friends, and three months away from the new year conjures a swirling sense of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation for what’s to come. 

The October Theory, popularized by TikTok user Macy Morgan, is known as the “mini new year.” Three months away from January, people tend to reflect on their lives and begin their warmup for the perfectly crafted resolutions that “start” the second the clock strikes midnight. New friends are made and flings become relationships. What feels like every major event occurs, determining who we will be and what our new year will look like. 

We have stored our sunscreen and swimsuits, brought out our boots and blankets, and marked our calendars for the holidays to come. We reflect on the changes that need to be made and try to hold onto every memory as time passes. It’s simultaneously sporadic and exhilarating. 

In October last year, my best friend and now roommate were invited on the same coast trip and instantly clicked. We packed the car and watched as the trees blurred into green, the salty smell of the ocean breeze ignited deep conversations, and the hum of road trip favorites blared through the car speakers. And I can't help but wonder, what would've happened if I hadn't gone on that trip? 

I asked my friends to think about past Octobers and the most significant moments in their lives. Some were smaller, like a deep hatred for Halloween in Alaska forcing her to wear a winter coat over a princess costume. Others experienced loss, like the death of their grandmother or a close friend. 

The beauty of the October Theory is to hold onto every moment no matter the scale. Cliches and all: time moves fast, and it’s not about putting pressure on yourself to change everything in your life; Instead, it is about reflecting and welcoming each experience. The new friend you made in class could become your bridesmaid, that club you joined could help you land a prestigious internship, or even that relationship that didn’t work out could be the first step in something even better. So, craft that list of goals, talk to the person sitting next to you, walk through the front doors of that meeting, and know it could lead you to something even more remarkable.