Inside My Addiction Part 2: Autumn

There are few things in the world that I love more than fall. Nothing gives me as much satisfaction as walking outside with a sweatshirt and jeans and a small, yellowish-brown leaf falling upon my head. I love the chilly air mixed with the smell of hot chocolate. I love going to Starbucks and getting a Cinnamon Chai Tea just to look at the newly designed fall cups. I love cuddling up on a cloudy, brisk day with some Netflix. I love carving pumpkins and Halloween costumes.
Last year on Halloween, some friends and I decided that we would stay in on Halloween and wear pajamas and carve pumpkins together. We made it a sort of contest, splitting into teams and carving Disney characters into these pumpkins. Erika and I were on a team together so we decided that we would carve Aladdin and Jasmine on a pumpkin. It was supposed to look like this:

We tried pretty hard, to be honest. It kinda turned out like this:

For two of the least artistic people I know, not bad. 

Either way, this night was a night that reminded me how much I loved fall. Being with friends, carving pumpkins, being inside on a cold night. I'm probably jumping the gun a little bit here, already talking about Halloween, but I don't really care! I love fall! So in honor of that I have made a top 10 list of some of my favorite things about fall:

Ryan's Top 10 Favorite Fall Stuff (w/Pros and Cons):

1. Sweatshirts- Definitely tops the list as my favorite fall thing. 

Pro: Sweatshirts are the definition of fall. There's nothing like cozying on up in your favorite sweatshirt on a chilly fall day, going to a football game or for a nice walk, because running is overrated. 

Con: Sometimes sweatshirts can be a pain when taking them off. I can't stand it when I'm just trying to take my sweatshirt off and then the rest of my clothes come off at the same time. Also, it can be a bit confusing when you accidentally stick your head in the sleeve when putting a sweatshirt on. 

2. Corn Mazes- 

Pros: Probably one of the most fun things to do in the fall with friends, especially the scary ones. There's nothing more unifying in a friendship than getting lost together in a haunted corn maze, where death lurks in every stalk.

Cons: Just please don't get lost. No one wants to get lost in a corn maze, especially if you have major anxiety or are claustrophobic. Panic attacks are not fun for you or your friend.

3. Starbucks-

Pros: Pretty fall cups, nice warm drinks, real pumpkin in your Pumpkin Spice Latte; can't go wrong.

Cons: Unless you are like me and get too excited to drink your drink and end up burning every tastebud off your tongue for the next week. 

4. PUMPKIN PATCHES-

Pros: I capitalize this favorite because who doesn't love a good pumpkin patch?! Common myth has it that pumpkin patches are for little kids. If you think that you've probably just insulted me beyond repair. 

Cons: N/A

5. Netflix-

Pros: Netflix becomes a good deal more attractive in the fall because you don't feel as guilty about staying inside watching shows because now it's cold outside and no longer summer so you have an excuse to stay inside. Not to mention all the Disney Channel Halloween movies.

Cons: You probably are still lacking a social life.

6. Spending Time w/ Friends-

Pros: Awww, how sweet. Friends are there to remind you that no matter how much you watch Netflix, they will always be there to convince your parents that you still have a social life. Plus doing fun fall activities is especially fun with them.

Cons: This is most likely only bad if your Netflix addiction is taking a dangerous turn. 

7. Carving Pumpkins-

Pros: Carving pumpkins is probably the best thing about fall. Seriously, if it was acceptable to carve pumpkins in July, I probably would.

Cons: Messy. Sticky. Don't be afraid to really get in there and get dirty.

8. Jumping in a Pile of Leaves-

Pros: Whether you are 16 or 86, you should probably be jumping in a pile of leaves. 

Cons: If you are 86, your doctor probably would not recommend this. I support it fully.

9. Growing a beard-

Pros: For all the men out there, No Shave November is approaching. Get those beards ready. 

Cons- I will probably be unable to participate, considering a month of not shaving for me would look like a week for another man.

10. Cuddling-

Pros: Whether it be with your girlfriend, boyfriend, mom, second cousin, or dog, cuddling is a must for the fall season. Get yourself a blanket and someone who isn't afraid to share that blanket and give yourself a nice cuddle. Nothing says fall more than cuddling up and watching a movie (or Netflix).

Cons: Most people appreciate if you shower before they cuddle with you.

I hope that maybe you can use some of my fall favorite to enhance your own fall experience this year.

Is it that it's over or do birds still sing for you? Float down, like autumn leaves. -Ed Sheeran, Autumn Leaves

Also check out Erika and I's new Vlog channel on YouTube! Weekly vlogs posted on Sundays!

Thanks for reading and watching!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz4Z9Kkgux8

A Question

A question. Why are people afraid of being different? Why do people cower in the fear of stepping out of line? Why do people feel the need to do every single thing that society tells them? What is it about judgement that makes it so scary? Why do we refuse to do what makes us happy because of tension, judgements, or other people? Why do we refuse to do what makes us happy?
I'm not even joking with you. This is all serious stuff that's been on my mind for weeks now, but finally has come to a boiling point. Now that I have somewhat successfully completed almost a month of college, I feel comfortable sharing that this past summer I seriously considered not going to college at all. If you know me, this probably seems extremely out of character for me, but even I was shocked. I had never considered an alternative to college, mostly because I figured the only thing you could do in life was go to school, college, get a job, have a family, retire, and die. Why? Because that's exactly what society sticks in your brain from a young age.
So in late July, I had some sort of epiphany. I can't even explain it myself because it was so out of the blue. For some reason the idea of freedom was all that was on my mind. I realized for the first time that I was actually 18 years old, and have been for 3/4 of a year. I'm an adult. I can make my own decisions. But I can't. Even in college, you're not completely free. Someone still cooks your meals, pays your bills, etc. And for a second, actually more like weeks, I thought, "What if I didn't do that?" The idea was intriguing. I had never considered a life outside of more education.
I pitched the idea to my parents, and they were scared. They told me that I was an adult and they would support my decision, even if they didn't necessarily advise it. And I almost did it. I almost freaking did it!
But once again, society got me. I knew that if I didn't go to college, I would spend the rest of my life kicking myself because all of my friends would have these fancy degrees and I wouldn't. But why? Why does humanity fear the unknown? Why are we wired to overthink every little thing that goes through our complicated brains? As long as it's safe, why do we refuse to do what makes us happy?! That is the most frustrating question in the world.
So here I am, almost a month into college and do I regret my decision of going to college? Yeah, there's times when I actually do. There's times where my brain reminds me that I could be doing something that would make me a million times happier than sitting on a campus 24/7 for weeks straight, forgetting that there's an outside world. Isn't it funny that the place that's supposed to prepare us the most for the outside world is nothing like it?
So then I ask myself what the hell I'm doing here. As I sit in my dorm on a Wednesday afternoon, a pile of homework sitting next to me, with the most beautiful weather outside, I question literally everything. What am I doing with my life? Why does everyone think that this experience is so much better than I do?
Because whether society or my parents or my neighbors or friends or my Twitter followers want to believe it or not, some things are not for everyone. College is one of those things. Just like skiing or drugs.
Am I going to drop out of college? No, there's probably no turning back now. Am I going to fall in love with it? Who knows? If I had to answer right now I would probably tell you no. And that's okay. Not everyone loves everything. But here's my advice to anyone considering their own happiness: don't you dare care what anyone thinks, whether it be your race, sexuality, gender, thoughts, or anything; you do what makes you safe and happy. Happiness is the most valuable thing in life. So as I continue my own quest for happiness (wherever that may take me) and despair seems to keep slipping in, I ask a question; why do I refuse to do what makes me happy? The journey to find it is just beginning.
"Life's for the living, or you're better off dead." -Passenger, "Life's For the Living"