I Stayed Home On Thanksgiving, And I Don’t Feel Guilty (sorta)
Holiday spirit can be a tough thing to behold. There’s an underlying “should” to the spirit of the holidays. Just because it’s that time of year we “should” be doing this or that.
For me, I appreciate the holiday season, but I like my days to be like every other day.
In my world, Thanksgiving is a pretty chill holiday. It’s an excuse to gather and eat a nice dinner. A simplified dinner with a set menu. The gathering part is the one I omit – even simplier.
My mom hosted Thanksgiving and I didn’t go. I wanted to enjoy a quiet day at home. Myself, my husband and my son.
Not taking my son to see Grandma is a bummer, but it didn’t weigh on me enough.
For posterity, my husband and I bought pre-packaged cooked turkey breast and a few side choices: stuffing and mashed potatoes. Simple.
I appreciate the traditional Thanksgiiving meal, but it’s not my kind of leftovers. My favorite part of Thanksgiving was always hors’deuarves: roasted almonds, crackers, various cheeses (Brie my all-time, fave).
Growing up, my grandmother loved having caviar, complete with toast and scrambled eggs. Posh, I know. She and my dad were the only ones who ate it.
These days I live an hour and a half drive from my hometown and I have a three year old son. I didn’t want to spend three hours of my day in the car and feel the stress of being on top of child care at my mom’s, a home not set up for an active kid who likes to explore.
I feel guilt, but I can’t let it affect me. I know I am doing the right thing for me by staying home. Keeping things simple and quiet.
I’m sure many can relate to the societal induced stress that come along with the holidays. The pressures, the obligations, the expectations.
I appreciate the feel and the vibe of the holidays. I enjoy Christmas songs, mall shopping and the cozy nature of being bundled up inside watching Christmas movies.
I do not enjoy the obligatory family reunions, buying gifts for people, office holiday parties.
As for Thanksgiving, I do feel guilt, and I ignore it. At least, I don’t let it dictate my actions. A Liberated Mind. The thought/feeling of guilt does not serve me because what’s best for me, my body, my mind, my soul is to stay home. If I had gone, I would have been spent my time longing to leave.
Don’t get me wrong, I would have enjoyed devouring snacks and catching up on conversation, but the back of my mind would have been looking at the clock.
At the time of writing this, it’s been three days. It’s the Sunday after Thanksgiving. How many days until the guilt goes away? It will subside, but it will never truly goes away.
I’ll make plans with my mom soon and I’ll see everyone on Christmas day. On Christmas, I’ll also be looking at the clock, but I know I must oblige to some family traditions. I haven’t completely alienated myself from my family.
Overall, l like staying home. I like going out and exploring the world, but home is where I’m happiest, relaxed and most content. That doesn’t change on the holidays, and any holiday feels like any other day to me. I appreciate the sentiment, but my body like it’s routine.
L’oreal Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Foundation
ColourPop Eye Shadow Palette – this isn’t the exact palette I used, but has similar shades.
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