The comforting fall season is just around the corner, but in St. George, we have a different way to live it compared to social media.
Most of us know the feeling of drinking a warm coffee while watching a movie on a rainy, foggy day around this time of year. But why is it that we tend to get excited about it?
A group of scientists from Germany has researched the reason why the lively colors of the coming season are so heartwarming and beautiful to people. They found out that the less saturated colors, like the faded oranges we can see on the leaves, can make people feel calmer. This explains why I find the colors of the leaves so beautiful.
Another study shows that the weather getting chilly also has an effect on us. When the temperature decreases, it is a common trait for people to start feeling lonely or sad. So, in order to feel better, taking hot baths, drinking hot drinks and getting under a blanket are actions that create comfort and improve our mood in this situation.
It is a common decision for all of us to do anything to keep us warm once the cold starts kicking in. I certainly feel better after a hot shower when my room starts getting as cold as a fridge and covering myself under my sheets doesn’t work.
The social media trends that follow the fall are commonly associated with a cheerful, nostalgic feeling: staying at home in the warmth of our couch or bed, drinking hot chocolate with people, or preparing for Halloween, among other memories.
This is different compared to summer, where we see people going out to the beach, traveling and shopping. We can consider this the time of the year when we spend the most, except for when we pay our college tuition.
Comparing this to autumn, our plans revolve around doing activities around town or at home. We don’t have the need to pay for a hotel, takeout food (hopefully), flights or expensive restaurants.
One thing that is hard to get excited for, though, is fall in St. George, mainly if you expect to see what you find in the videos that pop up on Instagram or TikTok.
Here, it feels like the only change is the decrease in temperature. The ethereal, cloudy and foggy vibe that we see all over social media is not present in this town.
Why do we make a fuss about it then? To stay in favor of the great season that is autumn, the weather change allows us to go out more and enjoy the places we have around campus like Snow Canyon State Park and Red Hills Desert Garden, or other parks that Utah has to offer.
With almost a year of living here, St. George has a certain way for one to experience autumn. Fall here is not the same as fall in other places. What we see on our feed doesn’t compare to what we get in this time of the year, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad quality.
The fall weather in southern Utah allows us to go out more since the unbearable heat that we usually have drops down to a nicer temperature, which makes me like this season more than the summer here.
Fall is not overrated; it’s just that for us, Utah Tech University students, this next season is different compared to outside people.
This fall should be full of adventure, discovery and beautiful landscapes, not spent staying in our room watching TV shows or movies.
St. George invites us to bring our adventurous outside to have fun, explore its surroundings and trying new activities.
Not only we can go on hikes or camping, we also have bowling, laser tag, arcades or even go-karts outside campus. So, if the weather is not right, then a fun time with your friends at one of these places will sure be.
