This year, I felt unusually stressed about which Halloween activities to participate in. Last year's Halloween was a whirlwind of excitement, filled with countless photoshoots that I truly enjoyed. In previous years, I often immersed myself in the magic of Halloween festivities at Disney, but this approach left me feeling unfulfilled. It wasn't delivering the darker, spookier vibe that I've come to love during this season.
As October approached, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t embracing Halloween enough. I experienced a significant case of FOMO regarding Halloween Horror Nights, but I don't particularly know why. LOL. Despite my past enthusiasm, HHN hasn’t impressed me since 2019. I’ve been eagerly waiting for the chance to go with Danny, but every time I consider it, I’m struck by the hesitation that it might not be worth the hefty price tag—especially considering the cost of front-of-the-line tickets. The idea of shelling out that much money for mazes that don’t resonate with me feels like a poor investment.
I guess what's bothering me is my longing for haunted houses and mazes. I realize I’ve yet to check out the Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted House in Ulster Park, an experience I’ve heard good things about but haven’t made the effort to visit. There’s also a nagging feeling that I should have done the Halloween event at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia this year, as it could have been a great way to fill the void. Even Blood Manor in NYC has been on my radar, yet I haven’t taken that leap. With all these opportunities slipping by, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment as I navigated through October.
It's interesting to reflect on everything I did last year during the fall season because I've done about the same this year but somehow felt more stressed. I visited a pumpkin patch, took photos at the Pumpkin Arch, and dined at a Halloween-themed restaurant. I fully embraced the spirit of Halloween by dressing up in two different costumes. I dressed as a witch in Central Park—a trend that seems to have taken off. LOL. However, I also added some new experiences to this year's fall itinerary. I traveled to Salem and Sleepy Hollow, which have immaculate Halloween vibes. These destinations were entirely new for me, adding a fresh layer of excitement to my seasonal activities.
I didn’t manage to visit the Pumpkin Blaze, but that was about it. I often wonder why I’m so hard on myself when it comes to genuinely embracing this season. Maybe it’s because there are aspects of life during other times of the year that I find less appealing. While I recognize that there are much bigger issues happening in the world right now, I can’t help but feel the need to dissociate and hold onto whatever happiness I can find. I want to make the most of this season, yet I struggle to enjoy it fully.
I’ve decided to take a more relaxed approach for the remainder of the fall and the upcoming Christmas season. I need this time to recharge and focus on my well-being. I’m going to keep my schedule light and avoid any obligations that might pull me away from home. Staying in will also help me save some money, which is important right now. So, please, no one feel the need to invite me out; I truly need this time for recovery.
On a side note, there's a funny story behind these photos. I initially visited the Pumpkin Arch at Pier 17 during the first weekend of October. There was a line, but it moved along fairly quickly. Danny was making fun of the family ahead of us, who kept taking various arrangements of family members for each photo. Annoyingly, instead of waiting in line like the rest of us, people stood behind the arch, taking pictures. The whole purpose of the arch is to frame the Brooklyn Bridge. Danny didn’t like how our photos turned out anyway because it was earlier in the day, and the bridge was too bright in the background.
I decided to return to the arch on the first weekend of November. Since we were going to see Smile 2, it was convenient to try again since the Alamo is located by the pier. This time, the line was even longer! I am assuming because the sun was going to set soon. There were even security guards present this time. By the time we made it to the arch, we saw ugly middle-aged women in the background again, but thankfully, this time, they were yelled at by the security guards. Honestly, every pumpkin arch should have a security guard.
The whole experience made me anxious because we were getting close to our movie time, and the Alamo doesn't let you in if you arrive late. They have strict policies. Thankfully, we made it on time! The Pumpkin Arch is truly the worst on weekends! What’s even worse is the basic looking people who take forever to take iPhone photos, which aren’t even good because people don’t know how to use their phones in 2024. I’ll stop for now and leave my toxicity for another day. 😆
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