Surviving Thanksgiving

The holidays can cause stress on us for a variety of reasons, and one of these stressors can be going back to your hometown. Going home for Thanksgiving break can mean a load of different things, so we here at The Edge have come up with some helpful tips for surviving this holiday season. 

The “Turkey Drop”

The “Turkey Drop” is a term used when college students go home for the holidays and break up with their long-distance high school sweethearts, typically during Thanksgiving break. This can be tough, especially if you’ve been with them for a long time before parting ways for school. 

Dropping

If you’re the one doing the dropping, be prepared for many emotions. This will most likely be difficult, but the important thing is to be kind and honest with the other person and try your best not to pull any “it’s-not-you-it’s-me’s.” Remember to listen to the other person and to give them as much space and time as they need to process, but don’t keep in contact with them; it’s better for both of you. 

Being Dropped

If you’re the one being dropped, you should also be prepared for a lot of emotions. Change is hard, especially when you are back home for the first time. Try not to get angry at your now-ex, but try to understand that people grow apart, mentally and physically.  (Long-distance sucks!). There could be a number of reasons why they are breaking up with you, so be sure to listen to them with an open mind and try to understand where they are coming from. Just know that you are not alone, and you will get through it! There’s always New Year’s… 

Split Dinners with Split Families

Divorced families during the holidays are no treat, and the most important thing to remember is to take deep breaths! Keeping an open mind and not focusing on the tiny details can also help the holiday run smoothly. The holidays might be awkward, but there are always little tricks you can try like having a couple of conversation diverters in your back pocket when you feel like things are going south. You can also plan non-family-related things to do when you are home to refresh the scene and get away. Another thing that can help is remembering the perks: the food! Although you might be dreading seeing your family in one room again, remember that in that room there will most likely be potatoes, pie and stuffing… Need we say more? 

Are we still BFFs? 

Coming home for the holidays doesn’t just mean seeing your family but also your friends from high school! But maybe you’re starting to realize you’re not as close to your hometown as you were before you all left for school. Don’t worry — people grow apart! Everyone experiences college differently, and yes, people can change after only a couple of months. No need to be discouraged. Change is okay, and sometimes it’s really good. It’s okay not to feel as close to your hometown friends, but maybe all you need is a new scene. Even though you might realize that you’re not as close with friends from home, there’s no telling what other new friends you’ll make back on campus. 

Thanksgiving break does not need to be a stress-inducer, so try your best to take uncomfortable moments with a grain of salt (your food too!).

We here at The Edge wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving break. Tag us at @theedgemag with your holiday pictures!