I tried to have a Dua Lipa fall, but it didn’t work.

Let me explain further. I kicked off this semester writing my first column of senior year titled “Opinion: Sad girl era is so last season, follow the Dua Lipa methodology.”

In the column, I expressed how sad girl autumn was so last year. I wrote, “You heard it here, party people; we’re having fun this semester. Ditch the sad girl playlist and tune into the perfect blend of club bangers and pop hits.”

Unfortunately, the months ahead were filled with unexpected events and a roller coaster of emotions.

The main point I was trying to get across in the column was the idea that summer wasn’t the only time life should be savored.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe fall really is when life gets real. Ice cream cones, beach days, tan lines and carefree nights belong to summer. That’s why we’re eager for May to roll around.

The gleeful elements of summer often transition into autumn’s melancholy moments.

Seasonal depression sneaks up on us, and sweatpants and oversized sweaters that swallow us become our default garments. And those playlists full of the musical stylings of Lizzy McAlpine, Fiona Apple, Olivia Dean and Norah Jones have their moment to shine.

Their music becomes the soundtrack of our current situations in life. Their poetic lyrics are reminders that a friendship has ended, the relationship we were hopeful for never began, and the sadness we feel in life may be temporary, but it’s ever so present.

We tried to hold on to Dua Lipa’s upbeat dance melodies for so long but eventually “Be the One” and “Electricity” didn’t match our state of life.

When my family experienced an unexpected passing of a loved one this September, the last thing I wanted to hear was high energy music. No, I laid on my couch singing through my tears to ballads by Barbra Streisand and Adele. The end of September shifted into an October full of ups and downs, love, loss and stress induced days and nights. Life was indeed life-ing.

I, myself, didn’t have a meltdown. I don’t believe in destruction, let alone self-destruction. No, I kept it together, showed up to class, showed up to work and pushed through. But I’ll be vulnerable for a second with you all. Behind closed doors, I was sad.

I was so sad, uninspired and grief stricken, I didn’t even update my Instagram stories as per usual and I’ve been told by peers my virtual hiatus was noticeable.

My world felt like it was spinning out of control while it seemed as if everyone else proceeded with normalcy. However, society has looked far from normal. That’s the thing: even when things weren’t affecting me directly, I still felt for others who were impacted by the government shutdown.

Witnessing strangers lose their SNAP benefits, livelihoods threatened, everyday people being targeted and harassed just for existing and the fall of our country happening right before our eyes is gut-wrenching.

I’ve walked around campus these last few days, and the look of hopelessness in many students’ eyes hurts my heart.

The thoughts that run through my head when I notice anyone who appears to be down or upset are worrisome: “I hope they’re not hungry, “I hope they have at least one good friend,” and “I hope they’re okay.”

Kindness and community are more important now than ever.

Sometimes I wish walking up to a stranger and offering a hug wouldn’t be considered weird, because I seriously would do it.

I can’t help but wonder: Is anyone having fun this fall?

My fun has been sporadic: coffee dates with a close friend in between classes, traveling home for fall break, attending the Jonas Brothers concert, my best friend visiting me in the boot and my other best friend — also known as my mom — turning her one week trip into a month long visit with me here in Baton Rouge. Now that’s some good ole much needed fun.

Let’s face it, this fall has been difficult at times. The Tigers were suffering from a losing streak, and so was I.

But, I refuse to let the heaviness of fall define my year. I’m using these next two months to reclaim the positivity I started this semester with, and I encourage you to do the same. Don’t let one or two agonizing months ruin your 2025.

Through the hardships, we still have so much to be grateful for. We’re breathing, aren’t we?

We’re not always going to feel merry, just like we won’t always feel glum. That’s fair. That’s life.

Dua Lipa and Adele can both have a spot on our playlists.

Ava Francis is a 22-year-old journalism major from New Orleans.