Halloween, Diwali, and the Season of Decisions

As Halloween decorations go up and Diwali lights begin to glow, I can’t help but feel the ironic contrast these two celebrations bring. Halloween, with its playful darkness and costumes, meets Diwali’s festival of lights, symbolizing hope and the triumph of light over darkness. And here we are, halfway through the term, caught between festive celebrations and the very real decisions that mark this season in the international education world. It’s recruitment time—the season of “Do I stay, or do I go?”

For many of us, this time isn’t just about sweets, costumes, and lanterns. It’s about reassessing our own path. Half-term has us wondering about what the next school year holds: the promises, the possibilities, and the inevitable uncertainties. Amid the trick-or-treating and sparkling diyas, we’re juggling open tabs on job portals, updating CVs, and wondering if it’s time to start a new adventure or deepen our roots right where we are.

Halloween and Diwali bring a stark contrast that almost feels symbolic. Halloween asks us to face fears in a lighthearted way, to hide behind masks, and maybe even playfully explore an alternative identity. Diwali, on the other hand, is about shedding light, finding clarity, and celebrating renewal. Together, they encourage us to face our inner questions: Are we wearing a professional mask where we are? Do we have clarity about our role, our purpose? our impact, our happiness?

This season of light and shadow is, ironically, the time we’re invited to cast aside both costumes and even old comforts, to find the courage to examine our futures, to make decisions that, in many ways, redefine us.

The Questions We Need to Ask Ourselves

This is the perfect time to reflect, a small pause before the rush to decide. Here are a few questions that might bring clarity, no matter which side of the Halloween-Diwali contrast we resonate with:

1. What keeps me here?

Think about what roots you to your current place. Is it the students, the colleagues, the local community? Or is it simply familiarity? Understanding your anchors can help you see if they are things you can hold onto or if you might need new ones.

2. Am I growing?

Growth is a great indicator of professional satisfaction. Consider if you’re learning, expanding your skill set, and feeling challenged. If you’re not growing here, ask if the pain of changing is greater than the pain of staying stuck in the same job or place.

3. What am I afraid of?

Halloween’s theme of facing fears can be quite literal here. Are you staying because leaving feels daunting? Or are you ready to move but nervous about stepping out of your comfort zone?

4. How am I celebrating ‘light’ in my role?

Diwali reminds us to focus on positivity and progress. Think about what you’re contributing to your community and whether your role brings you pride and purpose. Are you shedding light in meaningful ways, or does it feel like your light is dimming?

5. What do I envision for next year?

Think forward. What’s the narrative you want for yourself next year? Write it down, get specific, and see if your current role fits that picture. If it doesn’t, that might be the clarity you need.

This time of year is both unsettling and inspiring. Halloween and Diwali remind us that life is a mix of darkness and light, of moments that challenge us and those that give us clarity. Maybe you’re feeling ready to move on, or perhaps you’re rediscovering reasons to stay. Either way, it’s a reminder that we’re in charge of our paths.

If there’s one thing that makes this time a little lighter, it’s humor. There’s something undeniably funny about weighing major life decisions while a parade of kids in costumes knocks on your door. Or debating a new job while Diwali firecrackers pop outside, reminding you that the world keeps moving, with or without our decisions.

So, this Halloween-Diwali season, embrace the light and dark, face the unknowns, and let the contrasts inspire you. Ask the big questions, seek the answers that feel true, and don’t be afraid to laugh at the irony of it all. After all, recruitment season may feel as unpredictable as Halloween costumes, but with the clarity of Diwali’s light, we might just find the answers we’re looking for.