How often does that feeling come around? Every time you tear the wrapping paper off a gift at Christmas, or every time you play your favorite Wii game? Or maybe when you watch your favorite Disney movie because it reminds you of watching it for the very first time.
This is an emotion that can only be described as feeling like a kid again, and it doesn’t happen often anymore.
One of my favorite times of the year is Halloween. To me, it’s a sign that the peak time of fall is here, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. You get to watch scary movies and carve pumpkins, and the chilly weather feels perfect.
Last year, I participated in this and still found myself missing something. I didn't go trick-or-treating. I didn't get to feel the joy I used to.
I feel like we're taught that college means growing up and that we automatically have to be mature as if we just could suddenly switch it off. Our childhood is a part of who we are. I'm not saying to go around like headless chickens and act like hooligans, but come on, it's up to us.
Why are we “too old” or “too cool” to dress up and get handed free candy from strangers? This is a night where we can be whatever we want. Why are we robbing ourselves of that?
Americans are expected to hit a new record of $12.2 billion in sales this year on candy, decorations and costumes. This is physical proof that our country is celebrating without us. Our economy is hitting record highs for this one night. Auburn is full of tradition – let's add a new one. If everyone else is having fun, why aren't we?
Growing up, my neighborhood didn’t participate in Halloween, so no one gave out candy or decorated. My brother, my twin neighbors and I would load up in the open trunk of a car and go to as many other neighborhoods as we could.
One night a year, we were free from the world. When the night was done, we stockpiled our treasures, sat on the floor of their house and ate each piece of candy as if it was our last.
For me, Halloween represents nostalgia and childhood innocence and joy.
I tell this story even though it’s most likely different from how you remember Halloween. No matter how you went trick-or-treating or celebrated Halloween, you probably have great memories from it.
It’s easy to lose track of time surrounded by classwork and to-do lists, and I don’t think that’s going away any time soon. While we may not have control over that stress, we can always make the most of it.
For many of us, college is the best time of our lives. This is the time when, yes, we have responsibilities, but on Halloween night, the only responsibility we should have is to take the opportunity handed to us: to go out with our friends or grab our boo and feel like a kid again.
This year, I encourage you to find the feeling people spend their whole lives searching for. The nostalgic feeling of invincibility and joy. After all, these four years may be some of the last years we truly can. Let’s go trick-or-treating.
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Culture Writer
