Fall romanticization masks Seasonal Affective Disorder

Fall romanticization masks Seasonal Affective Disorder Categories: Columns Fall romanticization masks Seasonal Affective Disorder Abbey Messner, Columnist October 14, 2026 Saron Mekonnen sPumpkin spice and everything nice, with falling autumn leaves and an early sunset. It’s the coziest time of year: fall. Social media capitalizes on this aesthetic. Millions of “#fall” videos circulate on TikTok, where creators portray a romanticized version of the perfect fall. However, creators are not just promoting seasonal products like pumpkin chai lattes and Gilmore Girls — they also heavily promote habits of self-isolation, sleeping in and listening to “folklore” on repeat.  Initially, embracing lazy mornings and idleness indicative of the fall season doesn’t seem like a problem, but research shows that social media glamorizes symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), a kind of depression that occurs during the changing of seasons. Around 10 million Americans experience SAD every year, with symptoms including decreased energy, fatigue and changes in sleep. Sound familiar? While creators push “coziness,” those suffering from SAD may begin to believe their feelings are normal.  Advertisement Another factor that contributes to masking SAD is “FOMO,” or the fear of missing out. This is especially true on social media — when viewers see an influencer having fun, they want to participate too.  “It’s more related to the sense of creating community or belonging to a community,” marketing professor Hector MacFarland said. “That’s why even if it’s hot in Austin, they can start selling pumpkin drinks at Starbucks, right? (People) just want to belong. It (has) become a trend, and a lot of people want to follow.” This mindset can be toxic. Studies show FOMO can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Fifty-six percent of social media users experience this, and 37% of social media users say they have purchased an item because of FOMO. So, is the answer to just stay off social media?   You would think so, but FOMO doesn’t just happen online. Humans naturally have the urge to fit in with society. If you notice that people tend to enjoy isolation during the fall, you may feel pressured to experience it too, even if it’s not what you really want. For people who are suffering from SAD, this can hide symptoms.  Fall trends online may lead those who suffer from SAD to believe it’s natural to feel less motivated, social isolation and fatigue during the fall. FOMO only serves to normalize this feeling, when, in reality, there’s no universal fall experience. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of SAD, there are resources available on campus. HealthyHorns offers therapeutic options for students who may need help managing symptoms. Alternative solutions include maintaining a routine sleep schedule and being active during daylight hours.  “For those of us who might just be trying to put ourselves in the best mood possible, going outside for a walk early in the morning, even if it’s cloudy out, the light outside is much brighter than any light you’ll get inside, so that’s important for synchronizing your circadian system and setting that amplitude,” said Andrew Gaudet, associate professor who studies biological clocks.  All in all, embrace the cooling weather in Austin, get that pumpkin chai when you feel like it, and enjoy the changing leaves while listening to “All Too Well” (10 minute version, of course).  Messner is a public affairs freshman from Las Vegas, Nevada. 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story More to Discover More in Columns It's not AI — it's us Demand receptivity, not perfection Do we really need it, doh? Best set at ACL might be what you didn’t plan Don’t hate the player, hate the game Make room in your pocket for Narcan