A quick Pinterest search of “sad girl autumn” will flood your screen with images of girls staring out rainy train windows, or journaling their feelings, or gripping mugs filled with warm coffee. The term was coined in 2019, juxtaposing the well-known “hot girl summer,” which entails “feeling confident in who you are and having fun and looking good while doing it,” according to Megan Thee Stallion, who created the concept.
A “sad girl autumn” consists of brooding, melancholic music, and dim lighting. It’s most seen on social media, as most of the targeted demographic lies within Gen Z. Naturally, this idea often incorrectly translates to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also commonly referred to as “seasonal depression,” as many of the symptoms and activities overlap.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, SAD is a type of depression that is most often seen in the fall and winter and primarily affects young adults and women.
While the idea of young girls bonding over this winter gloom on TikTok may not seem harmful in theory, the commodification and glorification of something as dense as SAD is where this lifestyle becomes dangerous.
The trend is most commonly directed toward young girls, who often are too young even to gauge the severity of something like depression. Social media algorithms will promote the trend, which could lead to the ideology among girls that “sad girl autumn” is a goal to aspire to. They’ll begin to attach the label to themselves and partake in the wallowing of emotions. Putting oneself in the perspective of someone suffering from mental illness has the potential to worsen the mood of those not already experiencing those emotions.
One could claim that “sad girl autumn” brings awareness to seasonal depression, but I argue that, rather, it glorifies the issue without properly addressing it or giving advice as to how to cope with it. As someone who has followed “sad girl autumn” trends (and is an avid Phoebe Bridgers listener), I have begun to discern the harm this movement consists of and drift away from such sorrowing media.
Some of the artists associated with “sad girl autumn” include Phoebe Bridgers, Lana Del Rey, and Mitski. Taylor Swift is one of the biggest faces of the lifestyle, as she has a song entitled “All Too Well (Sad Girl Autumn Version),” which was released in 2021 and certainly boosted the popularity of the lifestyle.
Brands and artists have capitalized on “sad girl autumn” since its origin. Creating an entire online subculture around the trend through TikTok and Instagram guarantees its success and popularity among Gen Z. However, treating depression as a trend, rather than a mental illness, does more harm than good.
If someone notices a decline in their mood by consuming this rather depressing media, it is important to recognize that and actively drift away from it, so as not to worsen potential mental illness. It is possible to engage in a
fun, amusing fall aesthetic without it being harmful. TikTok has coined the term “healing girl autumn” in opposition to the original “sad girl autumn,” which surrounds journaling, self-care, and connection.
“It’s important to check in on teens to also help them make that connection of a shift in their behavior with something like decreased daylight or lack of activity,” Jeffrey Karst, a psychologist from Children’s Wisconsin said. According to Beachside, a private recovery center, there are several strategies to combat a gloomy, sad winter. They recommend increasing your exposure to light, practicing healthy lifestyle habits, and creating an active winter social calendar.
Also, taking advantage of different mental health staff throughout ELHS can help combat SAD symptoms.
