With Starbucks releasing their fall flavors as early as August 1st, the world is left wondering, “How early is too early for pumpkin spice?”

Personally, I believe the fall aesthetic is truly a mindset. Despite the weather still being in the high 80s, fall is in full swing. Ergo, fall doesn’t depend on the weather, moreover the vibes of the season.  However, our important question remains, when does fall actually start?

Though the Sumerians decided fall should start late September, modern culture has moved the start date up substantially. Fall starts when the school year does, obviously. The moment I have to open a textbook, I am automatically Rory Gilmore drinking cider and being super smart. The smell of warm spices and worn pages are so fall. How can I be expected to be soaking in the sun and feeling summery when I’m sitting at my desk learning velocity? Easy, you can’t.

Also, as we live in a shockingly consumerist world, the seasons have shifted earlier to match the inventory of stores. As soon as the 4th of July is over, the stores put up their pumpkins and foliage which means fall has basically already started!

Finally, whoever designs when holidays take place is team fall as well. Labor Day, Indigenous People’s Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving are so close to each other that the world just wants to celebrate. Who doesn’t want the warmth and nostalgia of thanksgiving to start earlier?

So bust out your sweaters and cheers some chai, fall has officially arrived.