Is September the Best Month of the Year?

To me, September is: dog days of summer, leaves changing, Virgo energy, bookstores, cinnamon buns, getting over it, my birthday, bonfires, 90s rom coms, back to school, the beach, the show ‘GIRLS’, shorts and a long sleeve.

There is a “new year” feeling that is present with September that is better than the actual thing because it is without pressure. It is the month of new beginnings that aren’t forced and for closing doors with ease and a strong sense of renewal. September is nostalgic and comforting. It’s still summer with a touch of autumn cosplay. You still wear shorts and a tee-shirt but have a light sweater for the evenings. The air is fresh and the sun is warm. 

The sun sets after 7:30 and you still get the occasional nighttime that is 25 degrees. You can enjoy a quieter beach because everyone has left for the summer and the lake is extra refreshing. September is still summer but with change on the horizon.

'Juno' is September. The characters and their witty dialogue in their own quirky indie-verse. A weird high school kid who doodles and is a hopeless romantic. Getting lost in the moment is the most present you can be. September is hanging on to the innocence of summer. A month that shines on its simplicity. Is it so naive to love September?

Albeit I’ll admit that many don’t have the same feelings as I do. More songs have this month in the title than any other and a lot of them have regret and longing: “Wake Me Up When September Ends”, “September Song”, “Pale September” and others, none particularly cheerful. September is the month of back to school which I never liked but once I graduated I was able to turn a new leaf. Maybe September is the greatest month of the year for graduated 20-somethings. 

Are people wary of September because it reminds them of the colder months to come? What if instead September is a gentle nudge into winter but also a clear reminder that summer will return.