{shortcode-99ca4116849e5ebe1f2e347ad6670c320c887caa}With spooky season and off-putting girl October coming to a close, it is time for us to enter whatever new, exciting era TikTok has to offer us. When cuffing season peaks as the consequences of Halloweekend finally calm down, you’ll probably be wondering what’s happening now. Well, the same app that brought you brat summer and held us all hostage to demure fall brings us our next season: winter arc.

Winter arc is the perfect predecessor to the cuffing season and exactly what you need after Halloweekend and brat summer (and age gap autumn to all those who celebrate). Your winter arc is time to reflect on your year thus far. Consider getting back in touch with your goals and focusing on self-improvement. As the temperature drops, let’s let go of “do it for the plot” and instead start protecting our peace.

According to the experts (a 15-second TikTok clip I watched last night), even if we haven’t started our winter arc checklist yet, it’s not too late. They tell us that starting to focus on our mental and physical health goals in the final months of this year will enable us to achieve our New Year’s resolutions.

Your winter arc can include anything from getting back to that gym routine you attempted in January and haven’t revisited since (because who has the time at Harvard anyway). Or maybe you want to focus on eating a balanced diet (impossible with all the sweet treats in the Square). Maybe you want to use your winter arc to reflect on your relationship (or situationship… no judgment). Or, if you’re like me, you’ll be using this time to reflect on whether a secondary in Econ was really the right choice (especially after that Ec1011 midterm).

This Thanksgiving break, instead of leaving Harvard stressed, frazzled, and overworked, maybe leave feeling settled. Instead of prioritizing your deadlines and weekend plans, prioritize yourself. Take these cold months to practice self-care and recenter yourself.

So, as October comes to a close and midterm season becomes finals season, it’s time for us to finally stop playing “365” by Charli XCX and instead listen to the sounds of nature (or whatever music mentally sound people listen to... I have no idea). No more chaos and craziness. Time to recenter, relax, and rejuvenate. You’re in your winter arc.