Whether you are alone because your family lives far away or because the COVID-19 pandemic prevents you from being together, it is important to think about how you want the Thanksgiving holiday to go for you. For many single individuals, who make up about a third of all households, Thanksgiving and Christmas—or Hanukkah—can feel gloomy or sad if there is no one to share it with. It is hard to ignore all those family scenes in commercials. And joyous songs just don’t make up for a shared meal and hugs with people.
There are still some ways to make the holiday enjoyable. Know that your celebration will look different this year and accept that you may feel some negative emotions. The traditions of holidays are in the past, but stop and ask yourself what you need to make you feel better. A phone call to a friend could help, or perhaps a dish of ice cream?
Give your day some structure, because making no plans leaves you at the mercy of a long day of random podcasts and TV reruns. Think about some things that you would like to do for yourself. What about binge-watching a program that you have been trying to make time to see? Even scheduling a nice little nap after a big lunch can be a way to have a plan.
Personally, I get excited about lying on the couch and reading a good book, which often leads to that wonderful, restful nap.
Practice gratitude—for anything specific or everything! As long as you practice with a grateful attitude, it opens up a door to your spiritual self. Research has taught us that being grateful for what we have and giving to others can improve our own mood. Making your own gratitude journal is a simple way to easily enhance your overall well-being. A spiral notebook listing your daily feelings and knowledge about the good you already have in your life is a great start.
Gratitude classes will be starting in January 2026 at my resident studio in Lake Worth Beach. Keep watch for the announcement after the holidays, beginning in January. In this class, we will be working together to change your perspective on life as well as your own specific circumstances. You will be provided with your own personal journal to answer questions that will be asked of you in class and to work on your own. Being grateful is being open to the possibilities of being happy and balanced.
Remember to keep a smile on your face and know that you are always being divinely guided..