Careful Who Puts the Cuffs on You This Season

Suddenly Cuffing Season is being discussed everywhere:

Facebook has over a dozen Cuffing groups, YouTube has dozens of videos on the subject, including a video of the 2014 ‘Cuffin’ Season’ song by Fabolos.

Online magazine and news shows explain what it is and how to navigate it. In posts that range from USA Today in 2017:

To Women's Health:

Cuffing Season is in the news.

What Exactly IS Cuffing Season?

The simplest explanation I found is by MindBodyGreen.com:

“Cuffing” is a term based on the idea of getting “handcuffed” or tied down to one partner. It refers to when people get into relationships during the colder months of the year, even though they ordinarily wouldn’t be interested in a commitment.

The New York Times pinned down the dates of the seasons. It is generally recognized to begin in October and last into February. Matching up/linking up/hooking up/getting cuffed to someone can get you through the ‘couples’ events of the colder months, eight through the gift-giving season holidays, and allow a grand finish on or around Valentine’s Day.

The urge to find someone, anyone, to cuddle, nest, and all the rest can lead folks to decide that waiting for the right one to come along isn’t necessary, as long as the ‘right-now’ one is near.

I am not naming names (cough!~Caroline~cough!), but I once worked with someone that KNEW she was going to break up with her boyfriend, KNEW that it was going nowhere, BUT! decided to stick it out through the end of the year. Now- why she did that has everything to do with what is now called Cuffing Season: she didn't want to be alone during the holidays and he had told her he was getting the leather boots she liked for Christmas. (Note: This is a true story, happened over 20 years ago, and Caroline has a mature and loving relationship now.)

Some scientists think it may have something to do with falling serotonin levels during the dark and cold months.

People may ‘settle’ for a less-than great fit for a temporary partner during Cuffing Season. Online searches for ‘sex’ relationships’ and ‘dating sites’ increase. Relationship statuses are updated more often during Cuffing Season. The ‘winter blues’ and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) may encourage impulsive behavior to bring some pleasure and reduce stress.

There IS Good News!

That bastion of accuracy, the Urban Dictionary, brings hope to the Cuffing Season behaviors. Their definition states:

Usually the colder months; i.e. fall or winter, when new relationships start and old relationships turn into engagements.

That's right! Although temporary relationships are prone to form in these cold months, Cuffing Season is also a time when couples make the decision to be permanent, too.

This sounded weirdly familiar.

Then, I realized that I’ve known about Cuffing Season for a long time, except I called it: Seasonal Hiring.

See how to apply lessons from personal 'cuffing season' to 'seasonal employment here:

Summary of this article and a sneak peek at the next.

1. Cuffing Season has undeniable similarities to Seasonal Hiring.
2. Be aware if your job (or any relationship) is intended to be short-lived.
3. Make temporary personal and business relationships mutually beneficial, and better prepare you for your next personal or business step along your journey.
4. There are steps you can follow to increase the chances you will remain employed after seasonal hiring season.
5. Uncuffing from a seasonal position has specific Do’s and Don’ts.

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!

Is Cuffing Season new to you? Leave a comment and let me know.

Freebie for you: Get notified when my posts go live, including the second half of this article. It's free to subscribe!

Interested in the season that just finished? It was Fielding Season, and here's the details about it! (thanks for the question, Jazzy!)