What you wrote today resonates so much because 3 of our 5 immediate family members (you know one of them) and both of our dogs need a good amount of alone time and are true introverts. Every year it's a discussion as to whether we join the big family turkey day despite the fact that I host Christmas Eve for what feels like thousands of people (roughly 23). But over the past few years I've seen how integral it is to their mental health (and, indirectly, mine) to just hang out on Thanksgiving and toss my guilt over the larger family stuff. We've always thought it was a BS holiday anyway, based on untruths, so hanging together with just our five plus two canines, often wandering into our own books, or tv shows, or even other rooms alone, is perfectly fine, and something for which I am grateful. Happy Nicksgiving! And you should consider writing a book, btw.
SUCH a BS holiday. i'm all for taking time for gratitude but let's not pretend the holiday's origin story has anything to do with that. give those kids (and dogs) a hug for me. <3 <3
I have had many alone holidays and found quiet magic in each. There's a lot of talk lately about how loneliness is more dangerous than cigarettes to senior health but I think it depends on the person and if it is painful for them to be alone.
I'll attend a potluck with an odd little recovery group I've met; an early dinner is fine by me. Then woodworking, my dog Sally, and liberal naps to round out the day.
I truly wish you a wonderful Tday, just the way it suits you best!!!
Love this! I'm kinda the same, when my husband heads to L.A. for business I hunker down with my books, stream my favorite shows (AGAIN, like "Tokyo Diner", 3D time, &, ironically because I hate cooking, "The Great British Bake Off." &, of course "Pernille") I poach chicken & steam broccoli. I DO have to avoid the liquor cabinet, drink sodas instead. For a treat: Fuyu persimmons! I wish I had a puppy dog or a Siberian kitty. But I want my husband to be happy when he returns & he's allergic to pet fur. Thanksgiving with his big noisy family looms...it's only one day, & they're good people & my son will be here from WA. So I suck it up. And try not to drink. Hooray for making good choices & taking care of yourself, Katie, and little (active) Dory & the goats! And not shooing off the deer.
I usually spend Thanksgiving with my family, but there were two Thanksgivings that I spent alone with no one else. One was last year when I was working a demanding seasonal retail job and needed the actual day to rest and recuperate.
The other time was in 2022. I had just seen my family at the end of October and didn’t see a reason to fly up when I would be seeing them again at Christmas. At that time I was more into vegan fare, so I tested my limits in the kitchen and cooked a lovely vegan thanksgiving dinner and listened to an audiobook. It was honestly pretty great. I wouldn’t want to do that very single year, but it was a nice change of pace from the norm.
I have no problem telling friends and family that I want a quiet holiday at home with my 3cats, a good book, and Star Trek.
What you wrote today resonates so much because 3 of our 5 immediate family members (you know one of them) and both of our dogs need a good amount of alone time and are true introverts. Every year it's a discussion as to whether we join the big family turkey day despite the fact that I host Christmas Eve for what feels like thousands of people (roughly 23). But over the past few years I've seen how integral it is to their mental health (and, indirectly, mine) to just hang out on Thanksgiving and toss my guilt over the larger family stuff. We've always thought it was a BS holiday anyway, based on untruths, so hanging together with just our five plus two canines, often wandering into our own books, or tv shows, or even other rooms alone, is perfectly fine, and something for which I am grateful. Happy Nicksgiving! And you should consider writing a book, btw.
SUCH a BS holiday. i'm all for taking time for gratitude but let's not pretend the holiday's origin story has anything to do with that. give those kids (and dogs) a hug for me. <3 <3
I have had many alone holidays and found quiet magic in each. There's a lot of talk lately about how loneliness is more dangerous than cigarettes to senior health but I think it depends on the person and if it is painful for them to be alone.
I understand this so hard!
I'll attend a potluck with an odd little recovery group I've met; an early dinner is fine by me. Then woodworking, my dog Sally, and liberal naps to round out the day.
I truly wish you a wonderful Tday, just the way it suits you best!!!
Thank you! To you as well!! 🦃
If need be, I think of it as Thursday.
Love
Love this! I'm kinda the same, when my husband heads to L.A. for business I hunker down with my books, stream my favorite shows (AGAIN, like "Tokyo Diner", 3D time, &, ironically because I hate cooking, "The Great British Bake Off." &, of course "Pernille") I poach chicken & steam broccoli. I DO have to avoid the liquor cabinet, drink sodas instead. For a treat: Fuyu persimmons! I wish I had a puppy dog or a Siberian kitty. But I want my husband to be happy when he returns & he's allergic to pet fur. Thanksgiving with his big noisy family looms...it's only one day, & they're good people & my son will be here from WA. So I suck it up. And try not to drink. Hooray for making good choices & taking care of yourself, Katie, and little (active) Dory & the goats! And not shooing off the deer.
thanks, cheryl! <3
I usually spend Thanksgiving with my family, but there were two Thanksgivings that I spent alone with no one else. One was last year when I was working a demanding seasonal retail job and needed the actual day to rest and recuperate.
The other time was in 2022. I had just seen my family at the end of October and didn’t see a reason to fly up when I would be seeing them again at Christmas. At that time I was more into vegan fare, so I tested my limits in the kitchen and cooked a lovely vegan thanksgiving dinner and listened to an audiobook. It was honestly pretty great. I wouldn’t want to do that very single year, but it was a nice change of pace from the norm.
Perfect!