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Thanksgiving Reminders

WorkingitThrough2 November 3rd, 2023

Trauma Community Check-in October 3rd

           The Thanksgiving season is just about here. This can cause us to feel more stressed.     Cooking and preparing food for guests and family.     A time that is supposed to bring joy and connections with others a sense of joy. But for some of us, it is just the opposite.    


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Here are some things we can begin to focus on to help us move easily through the holiday season.    




  • Be aware of your limitations.

  • Make your surroundings feel relaxing.

  • Plan ahead

  • Know that you can say no

  • Plan how much money you will spend.

Take breaks as you need to. Self-care is essential to your well-being.


Are you making plans for the holidays?

Are you cooking? Or going to eat out?


Thank you for being a part of the Trauma Forum


You can add or remove yourself from the tag list here.

.New tag list as of October 24th, 2023, by audience

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mytwistedsoul November 4th, 2023

@WorkingitThrough2 These are great reminders. I think a lot of times when it comes to holidays we mask and push through. Mean while we're freaking out inside. 

I'm not sure about plans. Probably just make something here because I think most restaurants are closed over the holidays. 
1 reply
TreaureSeekers3 November 4th, 2023

@mytwistedsoul your so right. Where are you from? Why wouldn’t restaurants be open? It’s Xmas. 

1 reply
mytwistedsoul November 5th, 2023

@TreaureSeekers3 Hey :) It's a pretty rural and I guess it's a pretty religious state. Even Walmart closes lol. Alot of stores and restaurants closed on Sundays too 

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WorkingitThrough2 OP November 5th, 2023

@mytwistedsoul

I agree that all the restaurants will be closed here too.  Thanks for your response😊

WorkingitThrough2 OP November 5th, 2023

@mytwistedsoul

You are so right then we feel bad afterward😂

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Tinywhisper11 November 4th, 2023

@WorkingitThrough2 I live in the UK, we don't celebrate thanksgiving here😞 but since I come from America, the chefs here at the carehome. Always prepare a special cooked dinner😁 for all the residents, and we give thanks to God for all our blessings😁 people at the care home are so kind to me, I get treated like a princess here ❤ what about you? Do you have plans?

2 replies
WorkingitThrough2 OP November 5th, 2023

@Tinywhisper11

I am supposed to get a surprise visit from my sister and niece. They plan to cook dinner for me to celebrate my 72nd. It was supposed to be a surprise😂LOL I found out. Not sure they will be able to come with our other loss.

1 reply
Tinywhisper11 November 5th, 2023

@WorkingitThrough2 awww I'm sorry, I hope they can come and you can all have a good time ❤❤ and that's naughty, it was supposed to be a surprise!! It's ok, just act surprise if they can come ❤❤ when exactly is your big day? Oh wait! That's nosey and personal. Just forget I asked that. Gives you a giant tiny hug ❤❤

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adventurousBranch3786 November 4th, 2023

@WorkingitThrough2.   I’ve been thinking about getting Chinese food on Thanksgiving. If I cook it will just be a drumstick for my partner.

3 replies
Tinywhisper11 November 4th, 2023

@adventurousBranch3786 chinese food sounds nice😁❤ I've never had Chinese food I don't think.

1 reply
WorkingitThrough2 OP November 5th, 2023

@Tinywhisper11

Sounds good to me to😊

adventurousBranch3786 November 5th, 2023

@Tinywhisper11. It’s yummy. I hope that you will get to try it someday.

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mytwistedsoul November 4th, 2023

@adventurousBranch3786 I love Chinese food! Do you have a favorite dish?

2 replies
adventurousBranch3786 November 5th, 2023

@mytwistedsoul.  I like Chinese vegetables a lot. Especially chow me in and chop suey. Do you have a favorite?

1 reply
mytwistedsoul November 6th, 2023

@adventurousBranch3786 Lo mein and crab rangoon for sure. But the broccoli is awesome too. I might have too many favorites 😂

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WorkingitThrough2 OP November 5th, 2023

@adventurousBranch3786

I hear you. I don't do much cooking any more😊

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straightforwardSkies7721 November 4th, 2023

Holidays or any gatherings are overwhelming. I find comfort in the warmth, smell and taste of mash potatoes, squash. Sweet Pots, stuffing, gravy, pie and coffee. The people part I struggle with and would rather isolate. I often regret the want or attempts to isolate.


I love the crisp air that this time of the year brings. It is like a slate has been wiped clean by the clean air and we start anew.

2 replies
WorkingitThrough2 OP November 4th, 2023

@straightforwardSkies7721

That sounds so good. and yes the fall weather does have away of refreshing the air.😊

I am so glad that you are here. How are you feeling over all?

2 replies
straightforwardSkies7721 November 4th, 2023

I am struggling with some realization of how deep my past childhood trauma has impacted my adult life. Triggered by a traumatic situation that has happened over the last two weeks. I am surrounding myself with support including therapy. Working on meeting my basic human needs and seeing the light from the bottom up. Thank you for checking on me.

2 replies
TreaureSeekers3 November 4th, 2023

@straightforwardSkies7721 sorry to hear that. I understand. Everything you’re saying.  

WorkingitThrough2 OP November 5th, 2023

@straightforwardSkies7721

I am so glad that you have a good support system. Please take good care of yourself. Things that remind us of past traumas can really set us back a bit. You seem to have a good sense of what you need to do to get through this hard time, If you need more support please don't hesitate to ask,❤️

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straightforwardSkies7721 November 4th, 2023

How are you doing?

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wontwakewontsleep November 4th, 2023

This is the time of year I am grateful that I don't really have family. Family gatherings seem stressful and with a weird sense of obligation that I've never understood. Thanksgiving is also problematic for me because my heart goes out to the indigenous peoples here who are still struggling at the hands of our government. I've also never been allowed to celebrate thanksgiving or holidays.

So now some years, I like to try to reclaim it a little, in spirit for my dad who lives far away and for my Nana, who I'm sure would be happy I'm doing my best. Miss you, Nana. Usually my partner and I will have a big feast to ourselves and any friends who are alone that day. Though some years, it's just another day!


For stressful gatherings though, I like the idea of a safe space, like a safe room. Maybe even a safe friend, if anyone can come with to be an advocate. Also an escape or plan b is always a great idea. Plus 7cups if we need to vent.

Say No! Use your No Shield 🛡️
Be the Pope of Nope.

My favorite thanksgiving foods are deviled eggs, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and banana pudding!
3 replies
straightforwardSkies7721 November 4th, 2023

I find a limited tolerance before I need to leave the get together. I always like the ability to leave returning to my safe space if possible. That escape or plan b 😏 . I also like of the deviled eggs!! Yum

1 reply
wontwakewontsleep November 4th, 2023

@straightforwardSkies7721 - I so relate to "limited tolerance" in gatherings. I'm going to save that phrase for future use hehe

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WorkingitThrough2 OP November 5th, 2023

@wontwakewontsleep

I resonate with a lot of the things you said.I am glad that you made your own way to celebrate what you want to remember. You have a good heart. I am glad that you plan ahead to have an escape plan😊

Have a wonderful day❤️

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PoliteOcean November 4th, 2023

@WorkingitThrough2


Are you making plans for the holidays?....Yes, to be with and gather with my Family~ 


Are you cooking?.. Or going to eat out?....My mom does the Holiday cooking. And its a great thing because she's an amazing cook!

1 reply
WorkingitThrough2 OP November 5th, 2023

@PoliteOcean

Can you bring a guest😂LOL?

Well maybe I can come the next time😊. So glad your mom is a good cook.

1 reply
PoliteOcean November 5th, 2023

@WorkingitThrough2

haha…sure thing!

*grants request for Thanksgiving invitation 😁

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WharfRat November 5th, 2023

I will probably be having Thanksgiving dinner at my niece's house.  Her husband does all the cooking, and unfortunately, I don't care for his cooking.  It's too fancy.  He adds weird stuff to everything he makes.  The mashed potatoes don't taste like mashed potatoes, for example.  I'm very fussy and picky about food, I know.


1 reply
WorkingitThrough2 OP November 5th, 2023

@WharfRat

I can truly relate to that. Sometimes people go overboard trying to get to fancy😂.I hope you can fix a little something at home in case you can't eat there😊. Enjoy the fellowship❤️

straightforwardSkies7721 November 6th, 2023

Basic warm yummy food is all I need. Although, sometimes weird combos of food have surprised me with how tasty they are. I think I grew up with a very basic palette and can appreciate your want for basic. Hope the holidays are relaxing and you find something tasty.

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ChaoticListener November 5th, 2023

@WorkingitThrough2

So true - even though I love holidays they're also super stressful. And my cat passed away recently 💔💔💔, right after Halloween. I think I'm probably going to my partner's parents house for holidays again instead of having to cook myself though so that's good.

2 replies
WorkingitThrough2 OP November 5th, 2023

@ChaoticListener

I am so sorry to hear that you lost your cat. They are like children in the family. I am glad that you won't have to cook. Do you think you will get another cat later?

2 replies
ChaoticListener November 5th, 2023

@WorkingitThrough2

Thank you! I have another cat already thank goodness but it still feels empty and lonely without the best cat in the world! Zelda would always just lay in your lap and purr and she legit used to comfort people when they were crying haha a little angel cat.

1 reply
WorkingitThrough2 OP November 6th, 2023

@ChaoticListener

Zelda really sounds like a very special cat. I know no other cat can replace the one you lost but I am glad you have another one❤️. My dog Max is old and I can tell his clock is winding down too and it is so heartbreaking.

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Jaeteuk November 5th, 2023

In Canada, our Thanksgiving was last month in October. My parents are on vacation, so with just my brother and I, my Uncle and Aunt came over from another city to have lunch with us instead. Many western restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving, but Asian restaurants usually stay open (Chinese, Korean, Japanese).

If my parents were here, my mum might've cooked a family dinner, probably have chicken than turkey though. Or, they might've celebrated with their friends and still leave my brother and I on our own.

1 reply
WorkingitThrough2 OP November 6th, 2023

@Jaeteuk

I am glad that you had someone to celebrate with and thank you so much for being a part of this forum❤️

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