Happy Halloween, everybody! What’s that? It’s only the beginning of October? Excuse you, I think you mean Hallow-month.

If you’re like me and look forward to this spooky season more than any other holiday, then you’ve probably stretched out your celebrations well throughout the month of October. And, like me, you’ve probably come across more than your fair share of naysayers and haters who object to your love of all things eerie. And maybe these constant admonishments have gotten you a little down, a little self-conscious about your Halloween spirit.

Don’t worry. That’s what I’m here for: to present you with five reasons why you shouldn’t be ashamed of releasing your inner spooky child.

1. Hallow-month Isn’t Even That Long

I’ve worked in retail off and on for a few years now, and let me tell you: one month of Halloween is nothing. Have you ever been to any store at all between the months of August and December? It’s a glittery, shimmery, cheer-infested Christmas takeover as soon as August hits, and this continues all the way until the actual holiday. For those of you who are mathematically challenged, that’s FIVE MONTHS of obnoxious Christmas consumerism being shoved in your face and leaving your clothes covered in glitter and cheer. Hallow-month is nothing in comparison to the hell that is Christmas season.

2. The Playlist Is Hot All Year Round

If you sing Christmas carols any time except during the Christmas season, you get weird looks. Or, if you sing them to me, you’re liable to get slapped in the face and thrown in the nearest woodchipper. Not so jolly now, eh?

Christmas music is only tolerable during Christmas, possibly because it’s as sickeningly sweet and cheery as everything else about the holiday. And other holidays don’t even have songs. But play “Thriller” at any party, from your yearly Halloween bash to your awkward junior prom, and it’s an instant crowd pleaser.

3. Everyone Needs To Embrace Their Inner Spooky Kid Now And Then

Admit it: you had a goth phase. Or an emo phase. Or an I’m-so-alone-and-angsty-and-no-one-understands-me phase. We’ve all been there. And maybe you shed that skin ages ago, but I’d be willing to bet you’ve still got The Cure in your music library, or a pair of bondage trousers buried in the back of your closet, or an old jar of Manic Panic in a shade that wouldn’t qualify as “natural” even in the laxest of workplaces.

Why do so many of us go through that awkward, angsty phase? Because it’s fun! Not to mention, it can be awfully exhausting trying to live up to everyone’s expectations of “normal” all the time, just like it can be a relief to finally give in to that nagging voice in your head that really, really wants to dye your hair bright pink. The great thing about Halloween? It’s totally acceptable to have colorful hair, a ridiculously complex outfit, and gobs of makeup that make you look like an entirely different person.

4. It’s So Aesthetic

Nothing is prettier than an autumn selfie, taken during a brisk walk in the foggy morning, at a pumpkin patch, or just in your local Starbucks with your mandatory daily pumpkin spice latte (yet another thing you should embrace proudly, come to think of it.) There’s just something about changing leaves and sweater weather that makes for the perfect photograph. Maybe it’s because we can finally go outside with normal looking faces, rather than either being greasy from sunblock or red from a lack of it.

5. It’s A Lot Of Work

We’re all in agreement now, yes? Halloween is the most fun holiday ever. But that’s not without effort. It takes a whole lot of energy and creativity to plan the perfect costume, decorate your house, plan the perfect horror film marathon, create clever and spooky hors-d'oeuvres for a party, and just generally planning all the fun activities exclusive to this time of year. Some of us might even put just as much effort into our Halloween celebrations as we do Thanksgiving and Christmas.

So if you’re the type who spends hours obsessing over costumes, party planning, and making sure everything is at optimum spookiness, be proud and enjoy your Hallow-month, every day of it. You deserve it.