Thanksgiving is tomorrow! 🥧

This American holiday can mean different things for those who celebrate it, and may be tied to different emotions, both positive and negative. It’s a day of gratitude and expressing gratitude in our own ways. Whether Thanksgiving will entail a large family gathering or a small group of friends, we can benefit from mindfulness of how to honor our limits in social settings.

If tomorrow for you will involve a lot of social interaction, it could be… hmmmm, how do you say… overwhelming. In situations like these, maybe you feel obligated to be social, charismatic, or extroverted to not come off as “rude.”

If Thanksgiving for you will involve a smaller group of people, you may still feel a bit anxious about how the day will unfold. Try to anticipate how you may behave anxiously in response to others’ predictable behaviors, and how you can respond in a way that’s aligned with the person you want to be.

Regardless of how comfortable you are in social settings — tomorrow I challenge you to honor your personal limits in socializing and engaging with others. It’s okay to not be “on” the whole time. If you start to feel drained, overwhelmed, or reaching your “limit” — allow yourself to take a break from the group. Something as simple as stepping outside to get fresh air, or noticing your breath as you inhale and exhale, can help you feel more relaxed and present.

The authentic you is the best version of yourself that you can offer to others. Although it can sometimes be difficult to honor your limits, it can be rewarding for both you as well as others you interact with. By caring for yourself in this way, you’re also able to be more present for others.