Thanksgiving: Tips for Survival
Thanksgiving is almost upon us. Many of us are dreaming of grandma’s pie or the endless amount of stuffing we’re about to consume…But for some of us, there’s always a looming concern of family drama and table conversations that make our skin crawl…
Given the current state of affairs and how politically divided our country is, that is truly no surprise. But, at CollegeRecon, we can’t accept the fact that holidays are just going to be a bear as long as our day-to-day lives are politically charged.
That is why we’ve come up with some tips on how to survive your Thanksgiving Day free of stress, awkward or inappropriate conversations, & full of food.
Tip 1. Be Honest With Yourself
You know yourself, your family, and your friends. There are more than likely some people who know how to push your buttons. Be cognizant of that prior to going to the Thanksgiving festivities and remind yourself that you have to be more patient with this person than with most.
Don’t walk up to those who push your buttons with your guard down. Be aware and mentally know that any hurtful or inappropriate topics they might bring up, have nothing to do with you and everything to do with them & their beliefs and insecurities.
Tip 2. Have An Escape Plan
Instead of just sitting around all day at your Thanksgiving meal, take part in it! If you aren’t hosting, ask the host when you arrive what you can take charge of to make their life easier.
Examples: keeping the ice bucket stocked, ensuring the beverage selection doesn’t run low, and constantly picking up plates/cups/napkins. This way, if you find yourself in a conversation that isn’t going in the right direction, you can easily excuse yourself to tend to your duties for the day.
Tip 3. Pace Yourself
Thanksgiving is a day we look forward to and drool about all year long. However, overindulging can leave us in a bad mood or with an uncomfortably large food baby. Our advice: Eat your food slowly and with purpose. Take the time to savor each bite and converse with those around you. Eating more slowly ensures that your brain has time to “catch up” and tell you if you’re still hungry, or if you are at your limit.
Tip 4. Remember What It’s All About
It’s far too easy to get caught up in the stress of the holidays. However, at the end of the day, the modern-day Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks for what we have. In a weird and twisted way, you can be thankful even to have a family that you don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye with, because some people don’t have any family at all.
And don’t forget that you are lucky to be home with your loved ones. There are many serving their country spread out around the world who are unable to feast with their families this year. Remember them.
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