These Holidays (USA) Are Rough
Anyone else grow up with a dysfunctional or even abusive family and just hate this time of year? It’s lonely more than anything because everyone else has happy fun loving families and you don’t. Maybe there was always drama and breakdowns on major holidays. Always fights. I know we can make it the best we can for ourselves and if you have children for them too, but it still sucks not having parents or grandparents or uncles and aunties and cousins to spend time with and celebrate.
@neatOak6872 I know you aren't alone with having a dysfunctional family. My relationship is pretty good with most relatives, but as a kid Christmas was often just with immediate family because traveling wasn't always easy.
Thanksgiving (Canada) was more likely to be small as it's only a 3 day weekend. Some years it's just my husband and I. One time it was with a bunch of other students, as none of us traveled that year. One year we got on the road and turned around before we hit the highway due to poor conditions and ended up doing a last minute dinner ourselves and invited one friend to join us who also canceled travel plans.
I think it's pretty normal in your situation to look at what some people have with family and have negative emotions- sadness, jealousy, etc. I do see people who do things to lessen that- celebrate with chosen family instead of born into family. Or they do holidays differently, volunteering with an organization, hosting for students, hosting for new immigrants, etc. I hope you find the right fit for yourself!
