11/25/2025
Happy Almost Thanksgiving, friends! 🍂 While this holiday is filled with warmth and gratitude for many, it can also be a source of significant stress, anxiety, loneliness, or grief.
If you're feeling the weight of the season, your feelings are 100% valid. You are not alone, and it's okay to not be okay.
Here are a few gentle ways to cope and protect your peace this week:
1. Set & Communicate Boundaries (It's Self-Care!)
💬 "I can only stay for dinner."
💬 "I'm not discussing politics/work/my dating life."
💬 "No, thank you," is a complete sentence. You don't owe anyone a lengthy explanation.
2. Plan Your Escape Routes
🚗 Drive yourself or know the train schedule so you have control over when you leave.
🛋️ Identify a "quiet room" you can retreat to for 5-10 minutes of deep breathing.
📱 Have a code word with a supportive friend you can text if you need an "emergency" phone call.
3. Ground Yourself in the Present
When overwhelm hits, try the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique:
Name 5 things you can see.
4 things you can touch.
3 things you can hear.
2 things you can smell.
1 thing you can taste.
This brings your nervous system back to the here and now.
4. Release the Pressure for a "Perfect" Day
The food doesn't have to be perfect. The conversations don't have to be profound. It's okay if you don't feel overflowing with gratitude. Give yourself grace for whatever the day brings.
5. Connect on Your Terms
Can't be with loved ones? Or feeling lonely even in a crowd? Reach out for a quick, genuine connection. Send a text to a friend, join an online support group, or volunteer in your community.
Your mental health is the most important thing you "bring to the table" this year. Prioritize it. You deserve it.
What's one way you're protecting your peace this Thanksgiving? Share in the comments below. 👇