This is one social media trend that really could change your life
What Is October Theory, and How Can You Make It Work for You?
Published on Oct. 24, 2024
Do you have a hard time sticking to your New Year’s resolutions? The problem may be the season, not you. Well, October Theory is here to help. The social media trend is taking the internet by storm (for this month, anyhow), and proponents say it’s the best way to achieve your goals.
Whether you want to get fitter, be more organized or finally write that novel, it’s all too easy to get derailed in the chaos and overzealousness of the new year. In fact, January is one of the worst times to make any resolutions, according to Alexandra Stratyner, PhD, a psychologist based in New York City. “Setting resolutions at any time of the year because that time of year is associated with making changes is not an effective strategy,” she says. “People tend to set wide-ranging goals that emphasize the end result, and when they don’t see results quickly, they become demoralized and give up, as commonly happens with resolutions.”
One way to avoid this problem is to choose a starting point other than Jan. 1, like—you guessed it—October. But should you jump on this social media trend as you try to adopt better habits? Read to find out what October Theory is all about and get pro goal-setting advice from Stratyner and Alex Manderstam, a content creator who is doing October Theory this year.
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What is October Theory?
“October Theory says that the last three months of the year are when people make the biggest progress toward their goals, and I’ve found that to be true for myself,” says Manderstam, the 31-year-old founder of Girls Club, a community for female entrepreneurs. “It’s a great opportunity to make a fresh start and look at your goals in a new light.”
What inspired Manderstam to try October Theory? “I’ve recently made a move from London to L.A., and things have felt chaotic and unsettled,” she says. “I craved more structure and focus, and October Theory seemed like the perfect opportunity to move forward with my goals without waiting for the new year.”
How to do October Theory
Mansterdam has set two main goals for herself: one work goal and one personal goal. “One is a rebrand and new product launch for my business, Girls Club, and the second one is to get back into my fitness routine,” she says. “It’s going great so far—I’ve seen a lot of progress already, and October isn’t even over yet.”
Manderstam is not only following October Theory personally this year, but she’s also encouraging her followers to do it along with her, providing tips and challenges to help them focus on what’s really important to them during the last three months of the year. Here’s what she suggests:
Stick to one to two goals, no more
“Just focus on those two things for the next couple of months, and make those your North Star,” Manderstam says. “You can do anything … but you can’t do everything at the same time!”
Make SMART goals
Stratyner recommends the SMART method of goal setting: Ensure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. “This framework helps clarify what you want to accomplish, making tracking progress and staying motivated easier,” she says.
Break it down into steps
A goal without steps is just a wish. “Break down big goals into immediate, smaller-scale behavioral changes that you can do now,” Stratyner says. For instance, if you want to run a marathon, identify what steps you need to take to get there, like finding a training plan, getting the proper equipment and scheduling days to run.
Pick changes that are sustainable
Are you really going to exercise three hours a day to run that marathon? Probably not. And focusing on big goals like this can just make you give up, Stratyner says. “Success in these goal areas may involve a lot of work, but instead of focusing on the end goal, identify sustainable behavioral changes that are easy to integrate into your daily routine,” she adds. You could, for example, make a goal to run 20 minutes every day for a week and then add on 10 minutes each week. Consider habit stacking to build on your successes.
Create accountability, and track your progress
Share your goals with a friend, or use a habit-tracking app to monitor your progress. “Having someone to support you or seeing a visual representation of your progress can boost motivation and help you stay committed,” Stratyner explains.
Do you have to do October Theory in October?
Is there something magic about October? Probably not, Manderstam says, but the 90-day countdown to the end of the year is appealing. “There’s nothing like a little urgency to make you take action!” she adds.
In addition, many cultural traditions find significance in the changing of the seasons, from summer to winter. Just as you pack up your lawn furniture, clean your home and generally reset for the fall, you should put away goals and habits that no longer fit your season of life. And as you pull out cozy sweaters and get ready for the holidays, you bring back habits that feel warm and celebratory of who you are and what’s important to you.
Stratyner agrees that if October feels inspiring to you, then you should go for it—but you shouldn’t feel locked into this time frame either. “There is no one-size-fits-all answer,” she says. “The best time is whenever you feel inspired. After all, you’re most likely to do things when you are mentally ready and able.”
For her part, Manderstam is committed to seeing October Theory through to the end. “It might be just another short-lived TikTok trend,” she says, “but you better believe I’m making the most out of the next three months!”
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece on October Theory, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who often writes about psychology, health and wellness. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Alexandra Stratyner, PhD, licensed psychologist in New York City; email interview, Oct. 23, 2024
- Alex Manderstam, content creator and founder of Girls Club; email interview, Oct. 22, 2024
