Cuffing season: more than just mistletoe

‘Tis the season of reconnection

ANNA VALAIK / ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

Traditionally, the holiday season is filled with festive celebrations, wintery treats, and fun moments with loved ones. However, in more recent years,  Gen Z/millennials have created another season that too coincides with the changing weather and cozy mood of November and December; it’s called “cuffing season.” 

However, this season is maybe not what you think it is. Yes, it’s a romantic phenomenon for some, but it’s also a reminder that the holiday season is all about spreading love and enjoying time with our loved ones. After the crazy year and a half the world has gone through, we should all be embracing the mood of cuffing season.Let this be a gentle reminder to build new friendships and rebuild the forgotten ones when given the opportunity. At a time of such busyness and chaos, especially with the end of finals season, all college students deserve the chance to find connection with whomever they choose, which could simply just be choosing yourself. 

“So, what is cuffing season?” one might ask. Cuffing season is the time period in which single people search for a short-term partner to keep them company during the colder months. For many, October, November, and December (although months of celebration), are marked by colder temperatures, fewer activities, and just generally lonelier times. It’s no longer the summer season – where there seems to be endless things to do and people to see thanks to the beautiful sunshine. So, when the sun fades into grayer days and people are less motivated to leave their homes, humans naturally begin searching for a partner to hunker down with. This tends to be during the holiday season, as well. As most college students know, it’s becoming more and more common to return home for Thanksgiving break and have that one annoying uncle ask why you are still single. On top of that, it’s becoming less and less likely to make genuine, long-lasting romantic connections in an age that prioritizes hookup culture. 

Yes, the holidays are a time of rest, but they also involve finals, traveling, and oftentimes intense emotions for most college students; it isn’t always just snowflakes and Santa Claus. On top of that stress, this is also the first semester back in-person for USD students. This means, for many, it’s been busy and chock-full of schoolwork, reconciliations with friends, and extracurricular activities. Since everyone has been so busy, many have lost touch or drifted away from even their close friends. It’s hard to juggle so much at once, and the transition back to school has not been perfect for anyone. All in all, students haven’t had the chance to just take a step back and breathe.

For this reason, it’s time to normalize cuffing season for everyone, not just those searching for romantic partners. Cuffing season is more than just Netflix and chill; it can be a time of connection, which can look different for everyone. 

During this time, students should challenge themselves to reconnect with old friends, spend those extra few moments with their parents, or simply just practice some much-needed self-love. 

Considering the semester ends and many go back to their hometown, this means people can finally take a break and refocus their priorities. They can finally slow down and enjoy the present moment. Everyone, and especially college students, deserve to know and be reminded that they are worthy of love and support. So, the next time you hear “cuffing season” and stress about being single or not taking part in this trend, reframe the narrative. Here’s some inspiration on how to do it.

Plan a date with a  hometown friend

Because many of us attend school away from our hometown, the holiday season is the perfect time to reach out to high school, grade school, or work friends from home. Last year,  COVID prevented us from seeing these people in person, so take advantage of this precious time if you feel comfortable. If you don’t, even setting up a long FaceTime call would help you reignite friendships and remind you that you have people who care about you everywhere. All these “dates” and more will give you that beautiful feeling of community and connection with someone else.

Reconnect with a sibling or family member

As annoying as it can be to return home and no longer feel the independence of college, it’s also a blessing in disguise. You can finally let loose and take a break from all the mundane adult responsibilities that come with college life. In turn, you will find yourself spending an inordinate amount of time with your family. 

So, if you and your sister haven’t hung out for a while or if your mom is dying to go Christmas shopping, spend time with them. Many students don’t get to see their family as often as they once did, and because of that, family time for some is incredibly important to fostering happiness and a sense of belonging. 

Date yourself

Finally, and arguably most importantly, cuff yourself. At the end of the day, the way we feel and think about ourselves affects how we will act toward and treat others. Feeling secure and comfortable in your own skin is a beautiful thing, and something we should constantly be working towards. Often, college involves a whirlwind of emotions: confusion, stress, imposter syndrome,  and discomfort. When school maintains a go-go-go pace, rarely do we take a chance to wonder how we are genuinely feeling. It’s incredibly difficult to internalize experiences and emotions when we are juggling countless responsibilities. 

With that being said, the holidays truly are the time to reconnect with ourselves. We have finished all our tests, group projects, and presentations, and now can just do what makes us feel good, what makes us happy. Although cuffing season is branded as something only for romantic partners, that simply is just not the case. 

Life isn’t all about constantly searching for someone to affirm and love you. Life is about loving yourself first, and then letting all the beautiful connections flow seamlessly into your life after that. 

Reframing narratives to fit your unique life is important, and reflecting on cuffing season is no different. It’s a beautiful season, to say the least. 

Let’s promote connection and community, no matter who it may be with or what it may look like. It’s obvious the world needs it right now, and all USD students deserve this sense of inner peace, too.