Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life!
Apply The PSL Method To Life & Work
Every year, just as summer starts to fade and the first chill hits the air, something stirs in the hearts (and taste buds) of millions: the return of pumpkin spice. It’s not just a flavor - it’s a cultural event and bona fide billion-dollar industry. One moment, we’re sipping iced lattes in tank tops, and the next, we’re wrapped in scarves, posting selfies in the leaves with that unmistakable Starbucks cup.
For me, the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) brings back memories of my college days. Running late for class, per usual, I’d swing through Starbucks in my two-door hatchback. I’d shamelessly walk into class - messy bun, yoga pants tucked into UGGs (what a time to be alive!), carrying my PSL - and it was always worth it.
Now, fast forward a decade (ish) later, and I rarely have a PSL. I allow myself one or two each season - and I really, truly savor it now. It’s a special treat I enjoy with a loved one on the perfect fall day. Nostalgic, intentional, and fully appreciated.
Beyond the cinnamon-scented frenzy, there’s a deeper reason pumpkin spice keeps us coming back. And no, it’s not just nostalgia or the taste (though, yes, it is delicious). It’s because pumpkin spice is LIMITED. Scarcity makes it sweeter. You can’t get it in April. (You probably don’t even want it in April!) Its value is tied to its temporary nature - and that, strangely enough, might be its biggest lesson.
We live in an age of everything, all the time. Streaming. Scrolling. Ordering. Watching.
And yet, with infinite access comes a constant, low-grade FOMO - Fear of Missing Out. Ironically, the very abundance of choices makes us feel like we’re always missing something better, somewhere else.
Pumpkin Spice, in a commercial sense, cuts through that. It’s not trying to be available year-round. It shows up for a few fleeting months, unapologetically seasonal, and then disappears. It’s special because it ends. And in that, it reminds us: not everything should be endless. Not every opportunity needs to be open all the time.
In business, this is called the scarcity effect. Marketers know it well. When something is limited - whether it’s a product, a sale, or an experience - it instantly feels more valuable. People pay attention, act faster, and actually care in a way they wouldn’t if it were always available. Think PSLs in the fall or limited-edition drops from your favorite sneaker brand. Scarcity turns ordinary products into moments people chase, talk about, and remember. It’s not just marketing - it’s creating anticipation, excitement, and a reason to show up.
What if we applied the PSL principle to our own lives?
Imagine treating seasons of life like pumpkin spice. Let the work grind have its time -but also let it end. Be fully present during a phase, knowing it won’t last. Embrace rest when it’s time to rest. When you’re with family, be with them - not checking emails under the table or texting someone else. Scarcity isn’t about restriction. It’s about focusing on the “right here, right now” and enjoying every minute of it.
Instead of going “all in” every day, design your life in seasons. Push harder in some months, rest and restore in others.
It’s okay to say, “I’m going to focus on school right now,” or “This fall, I’m slowing down,” or even, “I think I’ll train for a half-marathon this spring.”
Pumpkin spice teaches us that joy can come from looking forward to things, from savoring the fleeting, from not having it all right now. It reminds us to appreciate what’s here - because it won’t be forever. Not the leaves. Not the latte. Not this exact version of ourselves, at this exact moment in our lives.
So go ahead, order the drink. Embrace the cliché! And while you’re at it, consider how you might bring a little more pumpkin spice thinking into your day-to-day. Focused. Seasonal. Joyfully finite.
Because maybe the secret to living well isn’t having it all. Maybe growth comes from going all in for a season, fully committed to the mission at hand.
Maybe it’s knowing when it’s time to say, “Now is the season for this,” and letting that be enough.
Your Next Move
Personal:
What “season” of life are you in right now - and what would it look like to fully embrace it instead of rushing to the next thing?
Where could you intentionally add scarcity or boundaries in your habits, routines, or relationships to make the experience more meaningful?
What’s one small ritual you could create this season that makes you slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy where you are?
Business:
Which products or services could you make seasonal or limited-time to drive excitement and anticipation?
Are there opportunities to extend your best ideas into new, limited-edition categories without diluting your brand?
How could you create emotional seasonal connections with your customers that go beyond transactions?
What “business seasons” could you design - periods for growth, reflection, innovation, or rest - that maximize creativity and output?
Let’s discuss together on the chat!
-J
