I’m so excited for Halloween! I know it’s early, but I can’t help it. I’m not a fan of the autumn, winter and spring seasons — I absolutely adore summer. I love being outdoors, enjoying the warmth, fresh food, the sounds of birds and running water, reading, and just soaking up the sun and the fresh air. However, as much as I dislike this time of year, I’m always looking forward to October 31st. For me, Halloween isn’t just about competing over who collects the most sweets, toilet papering houses, or playing tricks on people. It is a magical time of the year, for many reasons, and I’d like to discuss why I think perceptions of Halloween need to change, for the better, and why we need to embrace this special time of year. To enjoy Halloween, we should discuss what it is and isn’t.

It’s important to recognize what Halloween should be all about, to better understand its cultural and social boundaries; it’s about understanding the cultural and social significance of the holiday. Halloween is not a solemn religious observance, an excuse for bad behavior, or a universally celebrated holiday. Halloween is about playful fear and make-believe, not actual terror. It’s a controlled environment where people can explore scary themes in a safe and fun way. Genuine fear or trauma is not part of the intended Halloween experience, and it’s not about disrespecting other cultures or feeling obligated to participate. While some people associate Halloween with dark or evil themes, the holiday is not inherently linked to Satanism or malevolent practices (Howington, 2023). Its association with the supernatural and the macabre is more about fun and fantasy than any serious connection to evil or dark forces. That said, Wiccans, for example, celebrate Samhain rather than Halloween, but they do acknowledge links to the paranormal and mystical. Halloween is a diverse and flexible celebration that can be enjoyed in many different ways, or not at all, depending on personal beliefs and cultural context. While it’s often associated with kids, adults also enjoy Halloween through costume parties, themed events, horror movie marathons, and decorating their homes, and I would argue that many adults enjoy the season more than some kids do. However, not everyone enjoys or takes part in Halloween, and that’s completely okay. The holiday doesn’t have to be about spending money on costumes, decorations, or candy. Some people prefer DIY costumes, homemade treats, or simple get-togethers without the commercial aspects. Halloween is not limited to one specific interpretation or way of celebrating. It means different things to different people—whether it’s a time for family fun, community engagement, creative expression, or simply a night to enjoy scary movies and candy. Dressing up for Halloween often involves participating in social events like parties, trick-or-treating, or community gatherings. These activities foster a sense of belonging and connection with others, which is essential for mental health. It’s a flexible holiday that adapts to various cultures and personal preferences. In the end, Halloween is what you make of it, and there’s no obligation to participate in any particular way.

Why I Love Halloween So Much

I absolutely love Halloween, if you haven’t guessed already. There are so many things I enjoy about it. First off, I love the sense of mystery and excitement that surrounds October 31st. The decorations also get me really excited. I always eagerly await the launch of Halloween products every year and end up buying a lot, much to my husband’s dismay. Let’s just say that my credit card hates me in October! But the best part for me is getting dressed up. I can’t quite pinpoint when my love for dressing up began. When I was young, I didn’t have many opportunities to celebrate Halloween because I lived in an area with few children, and trick-or-treating wasn’t common at all. I’m sure many of my friends had the chance because many of them lived in areas where there were lots of people; long sweeping roads, housing estates, and close cul-de-sacs; I lived on a main road surrounded by elderly neighbours. I also can’t remember celebrating it at school. As I grew older, I found out how much fun it is to dress up, but I don’t remember when this interest began. The earliest costume I can recall wearing was Poison Ivy from the Batman films. I can’t say why I chose that costume (by the way, DC = bad; Marvel = good). Maybe it was just easy to put together at the last minute; who knows? I dyed my hair the brightest shade of red I could find, rummaged through my closet to find an old green dress, and carefully stapled plastic leaves onto it to create a makeshift costume. How creative and resourceful, right?

One of the best costumes I’ve ever seen was when I attended a music festival about 14 years ago. My birthday always falls on the August bank holiday (it’s actually my birthday while I’m writing this!), and that weekend usually hosts a rock festival I have been going to for many years. As my birthday was usually celebrated there, we went all out; I made everyone dress up with a different theme each year. The theme for the year in question was superheroes. I told everyone they could be real or made up, and I wasn’t disappointed. One guy in our group went above and beyond. He was ‘The Incredible Bin Bag Man’!! Bin bag cape, bin bag legs, bin bag chest and sleeves, a bin lid for a shield and a bin bag ‘helmet’. Granted, he was the worst superhero there (who would want to be rescued by Bin Bag Man??) but it was by far the funniest. That’s one memory I will hold on to for many years to come. From there, dressing up just became a ‘thing’, and we did it every year for over 5 years. As I became more involved in Halloween, I found myself discovering a multitude of things that I absolutely adored about the holiday. However, the most unexpected and enlightening aspect was the self-discovery journey it took me on.

Halloween and Deeper Meanings

Halloween allows people to explore different facets of their identity by dressing up as someone or something else. This can be a way to experiment with aspects of their personality that they may not typically express in daily life, such as bravery, humor, or fantasy. Choosing or creating a costume involves creativity and imagination. Engaging in creative activities like this has been shown to reduce stress, increase problem-solving skills, and boost overall mental well-being. Costumes allow individuals to step into different roles, providing a temporary escape from the stresses of everyday life. This can be particularly therapeutic, offering a mental break and an opportunity to engage in playful, stress-relieving activities. Halloween gives people the freedom to break away from societal expectations and norms. This can be liberating and can lead to a sense of empowerment as individuals feel free to express themselves without fear of judgment. Dressing up in a costume can push people out of their comfort zones, especially if they choose something bold or unconventional. Successfully doing so can build self-confidence and increase one’s comfort with trying new things. Additionally, receiving compliments or positive reactions to a costume can boost self-esteem (Booth et al., 2020) and reinforce positive feelings about oneself. And these are the lessons I learned by merely putting on a terrible supervillain costume.

I have learned that the psychological benefits of dressing up, not just for Halloween, are multifaceted, complex, and deep-rooted. Many people think it’s okay for kids to dress up, but if an adult does it, it’s considered weird and immature. Is this really true? Absolutely not. I do think those attitudes are changing, but we’re a long way off yet. Think of people who work in uniform daily: doctors, the fire service, the police (Bell., 2002), and even shop workers. These individuals put on a ‘costume’ every single day. I make this comparison because, like Halloween costumes, putting on a uniform or work attire transforms a person into someone else. A shop worker may behave differently outside of work, but as soon as they put on their uniform, most people become more self-assured, and confident, and put on their ‘work face’: the polite and helpful shop assistant who goes above and beyond for customers. The crucial point is that a uniform is like a mask, one that you put on when you go to work. When you visit family, you put on another face, and when you pick your kids up from daycare, you assume yet another role. We all have different masks or faces in our metaphorical closet, and we put them on as and when needed. While these “masks” can serve as a defence mechanism, protecting individuals from stigma, judgment, or vulnerability, they can also exacerbate feelings of isolation and distress. For example, there’s the “everything is fine” mask, where you try to present a sense of normalcy to those around you. Individuals with mental illness often go to great lengths to appear as though everything is fine, even when they are struggling internally. The “high-functioning” mask forces people to appear well and completely normal on the outside, convincing those around them that everything is fine, even if it’s not. Then there’s the “happy” mask, where people exaggerate positivity, appearing upbeat, cheerful, and optimistic, or use humor to disguise their true feelings. This topic resonates deeply with me, and it’s something I know a lot about, not just from my own personal experiences, but also from my background in Psychology, something I discussed in my previous blog post “How Did It Come To This?“. This is something I could talk about until the end of time, but perhaps a little boring for those who aren’t interested. However, if you’d like to me discuss this topic further, feel free to leave a comment on this post or follow me on social media using the hashtag #BCurios.

It’s Childs Play

Do you see what I mean? Dressing up is more complicated than you might think. It can delve into the depths of the human psyche. While this might not be the case for everyone, for those of us grappling with mental illness, it cuts deep. Dressing up as an undead character doesn’t mean I actually want to be a zombie. The point is, I’d rather be anything or anyone else than be myself. Among the various masks we can wear, the “humorous” and “social chameleon” masks are the most prominent in my life, although I do experience many others as well. My go-to mask is humor. No matter the stress or seriousness of a situation, I always play the humor card. I don’t know when or why this started, or how to overcome it, but I can’t seem to stop. Part of the issue is my reluctance to appear weak, vulnerable, or useless, so I present myself as interesting and funny in the hope that people will like me. I convince myself that people do not want me around because I lack charisma and intellect, so by using humor, I not only break the ice but appear confident and well held together. Wearing the “busy and distracted” mask leads me to fill my schedule 24/7 to avoid dealing with what’s happening inside my head, offering an effective distraction technique, but only for so long.

The point I want to make is that costumes, of any kind, give you the opportunity to step into someone else’s shoes and offer more than just a great outfit for a party. Costumes allow you to explore different identities, reduce stress, and ignite imagination and creativity. They can help people understand other lifestyles, reduce biases, boost self-esteem, and help people overcome their inhibitions. Wearing a costume can be a therapeutic experience, allowing individuals to express their emotions in a constructive way. It can give people a greater sense of independence and empower them, leading to a stronger feeling of personal freedom. The main thing for me is that dressing up as someone or something else makes me feel free from judgment and scrutiny. I feel more relaxed without the pressure of meeting certain societal expectations, and I can explore a different side of myself without fear of criticism. It’s a truly liberating experience!

What Do You Think Are The Affects of Halloween In General?

In summary, the main point I want to make is that costumes are fun! Seriously, dressing up can be a blast. If anyone still thinks that adults dressing up at Halloween is pathetic and childish, you clearly haven’t grasped the essence of my argument. Dressing up is not only enjoyable, it could also be a means of substantial psychological healing. Many people face challenges in life, with a significant number of us dealing with mental health issues as well, and we all need to come together and navigate through this rollercoaster called life. Embracing our inner child could potentially lead to a happier and more fulfilled society overall. Halloween, in general, is an exciting time of the year; autumn is fast approaching, leaves are falling, and the world is painted in shades of red, orange, and yellow. During this time of seasonal change, perhaps we should also look within ourselves to see how we can transform and become better, more well-adjusted individuals who live life to the fullest. We need to be mindful of the downsides of wearing any type of costume; we shouldn’t have to pretend that everything is A-OK when it isn’t. We need to be able to say how we really feel without having to reach for the next appropriate mask. However, taking on a different persona offers numerous psychological benefits, including self-discovery, emotional release, increased empathy, and enhanced creativity. It can boost confidence, foster social connections, and provide a sense of empowerment and personal growth. Whether through role-playing, dressing up, or simply imagining oneself in a different role, this practice allows for exploration, liberation, and a deeper understanding of both oneself and others. Don’t be embarrassed, don’t be ashamed and embrace it with everything you’ve got during this beautiful time of year.