Stick to the Basics
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve noticed that the weeks leading up to it often carry a subtle tension. What’s supposed to be a season of gratitude and connection can quietly morph into a sprint of overcommitting, overfunctioning, and overthinking.
We want it to be good—the food, the decorations, the family dynamics, the travel plans. We want to do right by everyone, show up well, and make it all memorable. And yet, in all that striving, we can forget the most basic truth of the holiday: we already have enough.
When we lose sight of that, our focus drifts toward what’s missing or what needs fixing. Suddenly, we’re arguing over side dishes, stressing about seating arrangements, or trying to “make everyone happy”—a job no one has ever successfully completed.
The irony is that the harder we work to create a perfect Thanksgiving, the more we risk missing it altogether. We get so wrapped up in the details that we forget to taste the meal, to breathe between conversations, to pause and actually feel thankful.
So this year, I’m aiming for something different. I’m choosing simplicity—in my plans, my expectations, and my energy.
Simplicity doesn’t mean apathy; it means intention. It’s asking, What truly matters most this week?
We all have limits—emotional, physical, mental. When we ignore them, we end up drained, irritable, and far from grateful. But when we honor them, we rediscover the heart of Thanksgiving: presence, connection, and contentment.
So if you find yourself starting to spiral about the guest list, the grocery store chaos, or the perfectly folded napkins—pause. Breathe. Remember that the people at your table, and the life you already have, are enough.
Happy to be in your corner,
Tom Page, LCPC
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