With the pandemic going through another wave of increased positivity rates in the United States, health professionals are strongly urging people to reconsider their plans this year. As a result, this will leave many people feeling lonely along with feeling significantly inconvenienced by not having a joyous holiday that they are traditionally used to. However, we need to really look at the bigger picture at hand. Is it worth potentially infecting others or getting sick yourself? It is for this reason that we need to make it a priority to think about the safety of the ones we love most. If that means we cannot be with our family and friends this year, everything is going to be okay at the end of the day. There will be plenty of holidays, gatherings, and opportunities in the future to look forward to when things are better so it is okay if this year will be rather isolated, boring, and just different.

If you are left spending Thanksgiving alone out of safety precaution, due to being in a position to quarantine, or maybe you’re currently infected or experiencing symptoms where it is not safe to be around others, there are ways to cope and make it a great day.

Set up Times to Connect with Family/Friends via Zoom or by Phone – Many people are throwing a “Zoom Thanksgiving” this year where they are meeting virtually via Zoom. You can also connect with family and friends the old fashioned way by telephone. I would definitely utilize the holiday to connect with someone, whatever platform works best for you.

Order or Cook an Extravagant Meal – Don’t feel like cooking this year? Then order a meal from a restaurant you can enjoy at home. If you love to cook, then this is a great opportunity to cook up a fancy feast just for yourself.

Find a Unique Place to Go – Personally, if I was left completely by myself, I would have had a local accommodation booked by now just for a change of scenery. I would find a cute boutique hotel or bed and breakfast and look at it as a vacation for a day to just relax and treat myself. You can very easily book a hotel or AirBnB just as an escape and something to look forward to as opposed to being stuck at home alone.

Find a Fun Solo Activity – Depending on where you live, you can enjoy the outdoors (weather permitting) and go for a hike. If you are not into outdoor stuff, then whatever it is that you like to do by yourself, go for it! It will distract your mind from feeling lonely while also making you feel good to do something you love.

Be Thankful / Express Gratitude Towards Others – Although this year has brought challenges that has required life adjustments to be made along with obstacles to overcome, there are still so many things in your life to be thankful for. Be sure to reflect on the things that you are most thankful for–even if it is something like the bare necessities such as having a roof over your head and an unlimited supply of toilet paper. Maybe you are extremely thankful for someone who has stepped up in your life and been there to support you in every way possible. It is also during this time that you should express your gratitude towards the people you are most thankful for as I am sure they appreciate you and it will also brighten their day to know how much they are valued by you! 🙂