If you’re nervous about spending time with your family this Thanksgiving, you’re not alone! Julie Burke of Violet Crown Therapy says the rush to get ready for the holidays, and the change in weather that fall brings can make everyone a little anxious.
“Also, family is complicated, if people are seeing family or not,” Burke said.
We asked Burke her best tips for getting through Thanksgiving:
❌ Set a No Politics Policy.
Whether you’re aligned on politics with your Thanksgiving guests or not, just put a kibosh on all politics talk. You don’t want to end up in a fight and you also don’t want to spend the holiday commiserating, Burke said.
👋 Have an Exit Plan.
You really don’t have to sit there and answer questions about why you don’t have a boyfriend or talk about how climate change is real, OK? Go walk your dog. Go walk yourself. Go to the bathroom! Go check on a pie.
“Knowing your limits and honoring that,” is important, Burke said. “Because if you stay, it’s like, who is that for?”
If making a swift exit makes you anxious, it’s OK to say that. You can say that you need to walk away from the conversation and that’s a little awkward, Burke said.
😌 Don’t Forgo Alone Time.
Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you need to give up your alone time. Keep up with your hobbies, journal, read, and generally just do what you need to do to feel good. Last year, for Burke, that meant cuddling up with her pets on Christmas Eve and watching “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
“Holidays don't have to be jam packed with people,” Burke said.
👭 You Actually Don’t Have To Spend Time With Your Family.
Isn’t it nice to remember you have free will? If spending Thanksgiving with your family is going to make you feel bad, don’t do it.
“Intentionally spend time with people you care about like your loved ones, your chosen family. Holidays aren’t just for biological families, and for a lot of people it’s not,” Burke said.
🗣️ Do you have any good tips we missed? Email us!
