Welcome to The Curriculum, a monthly edit inspired by those viral TikTok self-development videos. But instead of adding more self-development to my plate (because let’s face it, I’ve done enough to last a lifetime), I’m making it ✨seasonal fun✨.
Here, I share what I’m getting up to, and I hope it inspires you to make memories that aren’t work achievements.
I’ll just say it. The second half of the year is better than the first.
I could be biased (August baby), but as soon as the -ber months hit, the energy changes. Somewhere between the back-to-school vibes of September and the nostalgia of December, the calendar fills up back to back. There’s always another event to go to, always something to look forward to.
But as I’m writing this, I’m starting to wonder if I’ve romanticised it.
Because if you’ve ever worked in a corporate job, you’ll know this is also the hardest stretch of the year. You’re trying to wrap the year up strong and hit your targets, all while end-of-year review sits quietly in the background. Not to forget that planning for the next year also starts with the dreaded questions - What’s the strategy? What are the numbers we have to hit?
It’s a lot.
If last month was all about dark academia, this month is all about pumpkins and spooky season.
PLACES I’M GOING
Thanks to TikTok, I’ve found so many seasonal things to do in and around Manchester this year, so I am going putting on my wellingtons and head into the countryside.
The Hollies Farm Shop has been around for a while but popularity especially on socials seems to have blown up after Molly-Mae was spotted in the cafe. The influx of crowds meant the business had to temporarily close shop until things got under control. Hopefully there won’t be any influencers visiting on the same day we head down there too.
I am not looking forward to Scare City whatsoever. I scare easily these days, sometimes my partner makes me jump because I don’t hear him come into the room. But I’m going to have to suck it up and go because if he can do all of these cosy autumnal activities with me (like the cute pumpkin patch at Bates Farm) then I have to give him something.
If you still haven’t planned your cosy autumnal days out, I definitely recommend searching TikTok for ideas.
Send this to a friend who’d come to Scare City with you so you can figure out what your plans for October are.
WHAT I’M WATCHING
It wouldn’t be the spooky season with without a cult classic would it? This year, I’ll be watching The Craft, which I haven’t seen since the release in 1996. I don’t remember much of the plot line apart from the levitating scene, which we tried on a friend at a sleepover and freaked ourselves out.
I’m also excited to watch Verity in the cinema, Anne Hathaway is having one helluva year and the trailer looks great. While I haven’t read the book, I did completely spoil myself on the story but looking forward to it anyways as I like all three leads.
Another book adaptation is Prime’s original miniseries Carrie. I’ve seen the trailer and it looks intriguing. I haven’t heard too much about this so fingers crossed it is as good as it looks.
WHAT I’M DOING
So tell me, what's on your spooky season list this year? Leave a comment and let me know. I’m always looking for more to add.
About the author:
Hi, I’m Priyanka, the face behind Successful on Paper which is my attempt at a modern day version of Cosmo magazine, if it was written by Carrie Bradshaw. If you’ve done everything by the book and are still wondering why it isn’t enough, you might be the exact person I’m writing for and I’m so glad you found me. When I’m not cosplaying a magazine writer, I’m building a portfolio career using all the skills I learnt in my nearly decade long marketing career.
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