People are convinced there's something unsettling about the 'October Theory'

October is rolling round again, bringing with it promises of lots of soft, warm colours, hot drinks, and cosy nights in.

But for many October may bring not warmth and coziness, not to mention Halloween, but a sense of dread at the approach of this particular month, and it's all because of the 'October Theory'.

The October Theory is that October acts a bit like a 'second new year'.

It's supposedly a time of year where you can pursue more new ideas or new projects, as well as being a time where important things can happen in your life, or so the theory goes anyway.

The theory has spread widely on social media, including on TikTok, where people share how they've come to believe that it is indeed true.

While the theory itself is just that, it could make sense for October to feel like a time of change.

This is the first full month of Autumn, where we have definitively left summer behind and the days are starting to get colder and shorter, and the leaves start to fall from the trees.

With that, it's maybe not surprising that people might feel some sense of change or movement at this time of year.

A beautiful autumn, or the start of a horror movie? (Getty Stock)

Add to that the fact that new school and university years are underway in October and there could even an element of how our years were structured in childhood and early adulthood creating a sense that October is a time of new beginnings.

People took to the comments to share their own thoughts about the 'October Theory'.

One wrote: "birthdays, breakups and parental deaths lmfao hard to argue w ya".

Another replied: "October completed destroyed me one year and now it triggers something in me every year now".

Therapists also have some theories about why October has captured some people's attention in such a way.

Amanda Carnesecchi is an Associate Therapist at Gateway to Solutions, and told Vice: “We may feel more motivated during this time because we have been primed from a young age that fall is back-to-school season, which is associated with goals, learning, and growth.

It is the spooky season as well (Getty Stock)

“New beginnings, behavior shifts, and fresh mindsets are all elements we have been exposed to during this time of year.”

Meanwhile licensed therapist Bisi Gbadamosi said: “Fall is often a natural reset because it can be a final push right before the holiday season kicks in.

“It can remind us that the end of the year is quickly approaching and encourage us to work towards any final goals or projects we had for the year.”

Not only that, but Carnesecchi added that when we get to actual new year on 1 January there's a lot more pressure for us to start thinking about the future and to try and set goals for ourselves.

“Come January 1st, there is immense pressure to start fresh or set new year goals," said Carnesecchi. "These are great intentions, but having so much change at once can be overwhelming and can lead to goals not being met."