New month, new you.
As fall weather sets in, TikTokkers have declared that the month of October is more of a reset than January, claiming that it is the optimal month for a “glow up” or major transformation.
They call their hypothesis the “October Theory.”
Content creator Chloe Van Berkel declared that “October is the second New Year’s of the year,” explaining in a viral TikTok video that it’s a time to reflect on the past year and ponder what changes they can make to better themselves for the rest of the year.
That, she said, can result in making “a lot of big life changes and a lot of major life decisions” — and, not to mention, it’s the start of “cuffing season.”
“The autumn season often sparks a natural inclination for transformation,” psychotherapist and On Par Therapy founder Brianna Paruolo told Bustle.
“As the leaves change color and fall, we’re reminded of the beauty in letting go and embracing new beginnings.”
Others called October a “mini January,” while one creator said that the months of October through December yield the “crazy plot twists” in life, and influencer Izzy Utterson said that October is a “springboard” for a 90-day “glow up.”
“Research suggests that it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic, though this can vary depending on the complexity of the habit and individual differences,” Paruolo said.
“By beginning in October, you’re giving yourself roughly 90 days until the new year — ample time to not only form a habit but to start seeing meaningful progress.”
Psychic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman told Bustle that she considers the month of October “more of a New Year than the actual New Year.”
“It is not only the season of endings, but also of new beginnings,” Honigman explained. “For example, giving up a job that doesn’t serve you will inevitably result in a better job showing up. Saying goodbye to a [toxic] partner will draw in a [better] one, etc.”
Coincidentally, October follows directly after the fall equinox at the end of September, when the length of the days shift and shorten.
“This combination of environmental changes and societal rhythms creates a perfect storm for personal transformation,” Paruolo continued, “allowing us to shed old habits — just like trees shedding leaves — and cultivate new aspects of ourselves.”
