Thanksgiving at YOUR Pace
As the holiday season approaches, remember this: your well-being is not one-size-fits-all, and neither should your holiday plans be. You are allowed to choose what feels right for you, even if it doesn’t look like what others expect. Thanksgiving season can be a beautiful time of connection and gratitude, but it can also bring pressure, overstimulation, and emotional weight. Honoring your own pace is not only valid; it’s an act of self-respect.
We live in a culture that treats the holidays like a performance. There’s a script we’re expected to follow: gather here, cook this, smile for the photo, say yes to every invitation. But the truth is, the most meaningful holiday season is one lived intentionally, not mechanically. When you slow down and ask yourself, “What do I truly need right now to enjoy this season?” you give yourself permission to celebrate in a way that aligns with your energy, your boundaries, and your life circumstances.
For some, Thanksgiving is about a full house and a full table. For others, they don’t want to celebrate the holiday at all due to its origins and their held beliefs. No matter how you choose to celebrate the holiday, or not, the most nourishing choice might be a smaller gathering, a quiet day at home, or even creating new traditions entirely. Grief, burnout, financial stress, family dynamics, or simply being overstimulated can all shift what feels manageable. None of these things make you less festive, less thankful, or less deserving of joy. These things make you human.
Honoring your own pace might look like choosing store-prepared food over homemade, or stepping away from conversations that drain you. It might mean showing up late, leaving early, or not attending at all. It could mean hosting a big meal because that brings you joy, or contributing in a smaller way because that’s what you have capacity for. It might mean going for a walk before the chaos begins, taking a nap after dinner, or opting out of holiday traditions entirely. Your needs are not inconveniences; they are guideposts.
Setting boundaries is another powerful act of self-care during the holidays. Saying “no” can feel uncomfortable, especially when tradition or expectation is involved, but your time and energy are finite. Protecting them is not selfish, it’s sustainable. And when you show up from a place of wholeness rather than depletion, everyone benefits. Make sticking to your boundaries a tradition this year
So as Thanksgiving approaches, give yourself permission to choose what supports your well-being, not just what satisfies expectations. Release the pressure to do things “the right way,” because the right way is the one that honors you. Do what feels right for you this holiday season, because caring for yourself and celebration of love, gratitude, and the people around you looks different for everyone.
Happy Holidays, and Stay Safe!
Allison at MHIB
Source: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress