October is arguably one of the best seasons of the year, as it includes not only Halloween, but also fall festivities, perfect weather and pretty leaves. It also seems to have gained a “canon event” phenomenon, where canon events; such as family, friend or mental health struggles, are frequent and happen recurrently. A canon event is described as an experience in a person’s life that comes to shape or define who they are, and is seen as inevitable even if you try to avoid it. These experiences, oddly enough, seem to happen most in the month of chilly weather and childhood nostalgia, at least according to popular Tik Toks about October Canon Events.
If you search ‘October Canon Event’ on social media, you’ll find thousands of posts from individuals claiming that their canon event has already happened this October, or they’re ready for their October Canon Event. One post, from user @lillylouisee, reads:
“Don’t start thinking you dodged the October canon event. You won’t. It’s gonna get you when you least expect it.”
The canon event phrase stems from the 2023 animated film “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”. In the movie, it refers to a pivotal, often painful, life event that is essential for a character’s development and must happen for the sake of their universe’s stability. In the movie, Spiderman’s canon events are the death of Uncle Ben and the bite from the radioactive spider. These events are essential to the Spider-verse’s structure and act as a foundation for each character’s journey.
Now, a canon event is seen as something that changes your current plans and disrupts your way of life. There is a logical approach to this topic, being as October is a transitional month and often comes laced with emotions and change every year. Wherever you are, the season of change is at its peak.
At this point in the year, the wind is cooler, the leaves are changing and theoretically, so are people. Like autumn, you’re forced to undergo the same transformation and growth, hence the phenomenon of canon events during October.
Canon events aren’t usually seen as positive, especially when they are actively happening in a person’s life. They are life-altering and commonly change one’s plans and perspectives.
Students at LSE have reported experiencing canon events, one in particular, wishing to stay anonymous, shared that they got their diagnosis of ADHD last October.
Since getting the news that they have ADHD, they have grown significantly since then. They don’t let their diagnosis define them, and they’re working through their struggles after being diagnosed.
“Trying to figure out math, having energy, early mornings and mid-day periods can be a struggle, but I work through it.”
Coping with a canon event can be difficult, but this student says what they do to stay locked in, is focus on school and try not to let their diagnosis define them.
Online, TikTok users say canon events are inevitable, and you just have to go through them as part of the human experience. Another post from TikTok user @nothildyring explains her October canon event and how it affected her. She details how she developed feelings for a guy and planned to see him at a mutual friend’s Halloween party, knowing this, she got there in advance. He showed up at the party heavily under the influence, and his true colors were exposed. He spent the whole night acting a fool and being the laughing stalk of the party. She was blind sighted and every feeling he had for him flew “out of the window.” She says she can laugh about it now, but never would’ve seen it coming. While working through canon events can be challenging, Tiktok users suggest that someone going through a canon event should ask for advice from a trusted person in their life or stay busy with other fun things they enjoy doing.
Often, canon events are unavoidable life lessons like a friendship breakup, hospitalization, injury or relationship difficulties. Although canon events can be tough to bear, and seem so big and life-changing, life is full of canon events. You never know what a person is going through, including those walking right next to you in the hallway.
