As temperatures are changing so are relationship statuses. People are going from single and proud to taken and lockdown. Every fall this happens and this time of year has even earned its own name: “cuffing season”. Urban dictionary describes cuffing season best:

“During the Fall and Winter months people who would normally rather be single or promiscuous find themselves along with the rest of the world desiring to be “Cuffed” or tied down by a serious relationship. The cold weather and prolonged indoor activity causes singles to become lonely and desperate to be cuffed.”

Unfortunately, for those of you who are not cuffed, this seemingly bogus millennial trend isn't going anywhere. Cuffing season lasts from November until March and changes almost as frequently as Starbucks changes its menu to “pumpkin spice and some coffee”. There are several different emotions that surround cuffing season but all of them have the same message: approach with caution. Cuffing season is a prime time for emotions with holidays back-to-back and ending with Valentine’s Day. Ff you don’t pick your teammate (significant other) wisely you run a great rick of not making it to the play offs (Valentine’s Day). Here is an outline of the season to keep you up to date:

Everyone is getting together or trying to get with someone, anyone, so that they do not have to enter the playoffs of cuffing season alone. But why settle for playing your third string just for a shot to make it to the play offs? In other terms, why would we settle for someone who we know is not right for us just so we are included in the trend full of Instagram pictures and nights not spent alone? Good question, right?

Although we feel the pressures that come with cuffing season, we shouldn't settle for someone who isn’t going to let us watch Harry Potter in our fuzzy socks when the temperatures start to drop. We all deserve someone who is going to accept us for who we are and will want to join us in the cheesy holiday traditions that our families have kept through the years. Being “cuffed” is not a huge prize that those who are single are missing out on. Do not enter cuffing season with intentions of having someone just to make it through, find someone you will keep for off-season, too.