That’s awesome. I’m so glad you’re excited and are looking forward to a good time. 

But please remember that there are people who dread the coming of the spooky season. We see Halloween decorations go up and feel the annual clamp of icy anxious teeth. 

I’m not saying don’t have fun. I’m not saying don’t celebrate. I’m saying please understand that not everyone is going to participate, or want to participate. Consent is a thing, and “no” is a complete sentence.

-Don’t jumpscare people you don’t know (or even those you do but don’t know if they’re into scares).

-Be understanding when we suddenly turn into hermits.  And know that we probably aren’t coming to your Halloween party. It’s not you. It’s the risk of animatronic decorations and the presence of the assholes we don’t know.

-Be patient with us when we have to work up the courage to walk past a decoration that we are terrified might move. Seriously. I see them in a store window and on a good day it takes me almost a minute to work up the courage to hurry by. On a bad day, I just don’t go shopping.

-Don’t try to talk or guilt us into scary movies, haunted houses, or anything else that we’re uncomfortable with. It just makes us feel worse on top of the anxiety. You’re not going to “fix” us by unwilling immersion therapy.

If you’re desperate to include us, invite us over to carve pumpkins, or bake the goodies for your party. It’s not that we don’t want to see everyone have a good time. It’s just that what delights you, terrifies and embarrasses us.

Thanks! And Happy Halloween!