October screams of falling leaves, pumpkin patches, and horror movies. While many people use the month to start making holiday wish lists and Thanksgiving to-dos, a growing group of influencers see it as a natural time to reset. Sure, it may seem too early to talk about New Year’s resolutions. But these people may have a point about the newfound potential of leaning into your motivation and taking action on goals at the beginning of the last quarter of the year.
Using the month to think about and implement new habits is called the “October Theory” by Gen Zers and Millennials, and it is one of the latest self-care trends on TikTok that is gaining massive attention across social media platforms. It debuted last fall and is back in full force this year.
While we typically hear about the importance of setting goals in the first 90 days of a job, October’s theory is that the last 90 days of the year also represent unique potential for growth. It takes advantage of the limited time left in the year, serving as a catalyst to get a fresh start and use the last three months to think about what you want and need in your life. Seeing this year’s finish line in sight can be a helpful nudge toward action.
“People say… if I want to make changes in my life and improve myself before the new year and before January, now is the time,” says Chloe Van Berkel, a New York-based college student with more than 72,000 followers on Twitter. Tik Tokin a video on the first of the month. It received more than 133,000 likes and more than 500 comments.
“It’s a time to embrace change and make bold decisions as days get shorter,” another Tik Tok says the user in a post that has been saved by more than 650 people.
One fan of this theory calls October “the month of October.”The second New Year of the yearOn TikTok, another likened it to “Thursday” every week, the last day before the weekend, which might encourage thought.
The TikToker “declared October as Reset Month,” said Sisani Ficlara, co-host of the TikToker. On Air with Ryan Seacrest, In the last episode. “They claim this is the perfect month for a big glow or transformation.” To counter the fear of sunlight hours getting shorter and cold weather approaching, regaining some control before January 1st by trying something new can be encouraging. As Seacrest said: “Starting in January is sad.”
Why wait until New Year’s when you can start now?! Here’s how the “October Theory” can change your goals and your life 📝 pic.twitter.com/pqrLjboESM
— On Air/Ryan Seacrest (@OnAirWithRyan) October 17, 2024
With the official start of fall, people may also be more inclined to make bold decisions in their dating lives and friendships, because the holidays — in Hallmark movie season — can bring a certain longing for connection. And for this reason another TikToker “There is a collective sense of urgency to reevaluate goals, often encouraging reflection, taking action, and embracing the fast-paced nature of the last few months of the year,” one October Theory fan wrote to her 76,000 followers.
Alison Fragali, organizational psychologist, professor and author Lovable Badass: How Women Get the Success They DeserveHe tells luck Although there is no solid science about habit changes in October, the theory stems from the “fresh start effect.”
“We like to start new goals on a day or date that feels like a new beginning or transition,” she says. “Shifting your wardrobe from shorts to jackets can feel like a fresh start — and it motivates you to recommit to being your ideal self.”
Israa Nasser, psychotherapist and author of the upcoming book Toxic productivityHe sees pearls of wisdom in this theory, especially since habits can fall by the wayside during the summer months. “Making resolutions and changing habits is a great way to prepare for the winter months,” she says. luck. “The changing seasons can be emotionally challenging and people may have difficulty staying motivated. Recommitting to your goals is a good way to start the winter with a plan, responsibility (and with) something to look forward to and work on.
For example, let’s say you want to present a project to a new team at work and realize you have less than three months to get it in review this year. This might be just the kick in the pants you need, right? It’s the same idea if you say you’re going to start an exercise regimen all year long; Now, you may finally be able to sign up for a gym membership.
There is something, at least according to Atomic habits author James Clearwho wrote in his book that creating consistent habits can take a little over two months, and that you can always make changes and make resolutions no matter the time of year.
How to make October Theory useful to you
Think of this as a time to embrace change or focus on goals that fell flat in previous months. “It’s never too late to recommit to yourself. We have a whole year to continually grow and set goals,” says Nasser. “It’s not just New Year’s.”
Taking advantage of this theory can be as simple as incorporating small habits to bring happiness, deciding to wear sunscreen every day, practicing mindfulness, or drinking more water. You might think of a new goal that pops up to get through the stress of January 1st, like organizing your bookshelf or reorganizing your budget. Nasser also says the theory could encourage people to find new habits that are “entirely rooted in joy,” not just ones that tap into the desire to be hyperproductive.
“When we have habits that work for us, we are more likely to be happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative,” Gretchen Rubin, happiness expert and author of Happiness ProjectIt was said previously luckemphasizing that small habits are a great way to start. “It’s much better to frame[your goals]into something concrete and manageable and you know whether you’ve done it or not.”
Alexis Fernandez Brixa, neuroscientist, host of the show Do you mind? Podcaster, and author Design your life 2.0produced episode On the concept of October Theory itself without naming it. She urged her listeners to make the most of the last three months of the year by writing down concrete habits they want to implement in different areas of their lives — financial health, relationships, work, hobbies, health, home, and self-care.
“This for me, personally, is not only my favorite time of year, but it’s also the time of year when I feel the most excited, where I want to make the most change,” she says. “I’m not looking to slow down, but I’m looking forward to… being more inspired and more creative.”
The goal isn’t to make sweeping overhauls that leave you feeling inadequate, but instead to make achievable “tweaks” within a day that seem easy and tangible to make the last quarter of the year your best, Fernandez-Brixa says. For example, if you want to be a runner, you could try running one mile a few times a week. If you want to feel better about your space, you can add clothes to your donation box each week. Or, if you’re stressed out by stress and need to optimize your time outside of work, you can commit to meditating for five minutes in the morning.
“When we have to make a lot of conscious effort to make a change, it’s exhausting,” Fernandez Brixa said on the podcast. “You want to make a change, make it shift and become an unconscious pattern like brushing your teeth.”
Here are some questions that Fernández Brixa advises you to ask yourself when finding small ways to improve the last quarter of 2024 and instill joy in your life:
- Who do I want to connect with before the end of the year that I don’t normally connect with?
- What fun activity can I plan to do weekly?
- How can I organize my space so I can feel better?
- What hobby do I want to do during the vacation?
The important thing is that the beginning of the calendar year is not the only time to re-evaluate your goals and make changes to your habits. For some, before winter comes it may be a good time to make small changes in preparation for the new year.
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