How to Survive Thanksgiving When You’d Rather Skip It
Thanksgiving is here, and I know how you feel—I’ve been there. The pressure to be cheerful, the awkward family dynamics, the endless food coma that follows—it’s not exactly my idea of a good time either.
As a minimalist, I’ve learned to see holidays differently, and let me tell you, you’re not alone if this day feels more like something to endure than to celebrate.
Just know that you don’t have to love Thanksgiving to get through it. There’s no award for forcing a smile or pretending the holiday spirit has magically taken over you.
There’s still time for you to approach the day with less stress and more sanity. You can survive the day without feeling like you’re betraying yourself.
For me, it’s about skipping the festive madness and keeping things simple. I don’t fake joy or go overboard on traditions that don’t resonate with me. You just need to make the day manageable. Here’s how I do it—and how you can too.
Table of Contents
1. Take a Breath Before You Dive In
Thanksgiving is here, whether you’re ready or not. Pause for a moment. Literally, step outside, take a walk, or lock yourself in the bathroom if you need to.
You can’t rewrite the day, but you can reset your mindset. Deep breathing works wonders when the chaos starts feeling overwhelming. Give yourself a minute to mentally prepare before heading into the fray.
I always start my day with a run and a 20-minute slow pilates session. It keeps me grounded and refreshed, ready to take on the day.
2. Focus on One Thing at a Time
The holidays feel chaotic because there’s so much happening at once—cooking, conversations, kids running around, and that one relative asking why you’re still single. Don’t try to juggle it all.
If you’re stuck cooking, just cook. If you’re in a conversation, really listen.
Staying in the moment will keep you from spiraling into stress about everything else happening around you. Be intentional with everything you do.
3. Set Micro-Boundaries
Sure, it’s too late to plan an escape route, but you can still carve out little moments for yourself when you set micro-boundaries.
Maybe that means helping in the kitchen for a break from the table or volunteering to take the dog for a walk. Need a quick out during a tense conversation? Excuse yourself to grab a drink or refill someone’s plate.
You don’t have to be rude, but you’re still allowed moments of self-care. Small, subtle boundaries can save your sanity.
4. Find the Silver Lining
You don’t have to fake gratitude for the whole holiday, but find one small thing to appreciate. Maybe it’s the mashed potatoes, a funny moment with a kid in the family, or the quiet after everyone finally leaves.
You don’t have to love Thanksgiving, but picking out one good thing can make the day feel a little less heavy. For me, I have to take a moment to know that I’m making someone else happy but celebrating with them.
5. Keep a Snack Stash
I’m a picky eater. So, believe me, if the food isn’t ready or you’re not thrilled with what’s being served, sneak away and snack on something you actually enjoy.
Hide a protein bar or a chocolate bar in your bag if you need to. Nobody makes good decisions when they’re hangry, and Thanksgiving is not the day to test that theory.
6. Tune Out When You Need to
You don’t have to engage in every conversation. If things get awkward or tense, grab your phone, put on a podcast, or scroll through funny videos for a minute. It’s okay to check out now and then. You’re not being rude; you’re keeping your cool.
7. Plan Something to Look Forward to Tonight
The day doesn’t have to end with the family meal. I like to keep my evenings to myself and be home by 8 pm.
Plan a little reward for yourself after everything’s over. Whether it’s a long shower, a good movie, or a glass of wine while binge-watching your favorite series, knowing there’s something waiting for you on the other side makes it all easier to get through.
Thanksgiving might not be your favorite day, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a disaster. By focusing on the small wins, keeping your boundaries tight, and giving yourself a little grace, you’ll get through the day just fine. And hey, tomorrow’s Friday—you’ve made it through the hardest part already.
Theresa Bedford is a lifestyle and relationship writer with a passion for self-development and to live life to the fullest. She writes about relationships, mindfulness, and simple living. Her work has been seen on the AP newswire, MSN, Wealth of Geeks, Media Decision, and more.
