Thanksgiving: A Moment to Pause, Remember, and Realign

danaswellnesshaven
13 minutes ago
2 min read

Thanksgiving has a way of sneaking up on us, doesn’t it? One minute we’re adjusting to the early sunsets and wondering where all our matching socks went, and the next minute we’re elbow-deep in sweet potatoes, trying to decide whether we actually like cranberry sauce or we just eat it because it’s tradition.

But beneath the busy, the cooking, and the family dynamics (bless them), Thanksgiving carries something much deeper: a collective pause.

The Power of the Pause (Yes, That Pause)

There’s something unmistakable about this time of year. Life slows down just enough for us to notice what we’ve been ignoring—our energy, our boundaries, our heart’s quiet requests.

Thanksgiving invites us to step outside our usual pace and reconnect—with ourselves, with each other, and with the parts of our lives that have been quietly waiting for attention.

Sometimes the pause feels peaceful. Sometimes it feels uncomfortable. Sometimes you’re just grateful to sit down after peeling eighty potatoes.

Either way, the pause is purposeful.

Gratitude That Goes Beyond the Table

Gratitude isn’t a performance; it’s an anchor. It doesn’t need to be poetic, perfect, or Instagram-worthy.

It can sound like:

“I’m grateful I made it through this week.”
“I’m grateful for my growth—even when I didn’t feel strong.”
“I’m grateful for the version of me who kept going.”
“I’m grateful for the courage to ask for help.”

And yes, “I’m grateful Uber Eats exists” is also valid.

When we acknowledge gratitude with honesty—not obligation—we shift from surviving the season to actually experiencing it.

When the Holidays Feel Heavy

Let’s be real for a moment: the holidays aren’t easy for everyone. Grief, transitions, family strain, chronic pain, and plain old exhaustion don’t magically disappear because the calendar tells us to be festive.

If this season feels tender for you, you’re not doing anything wrong. You're human, and you’re healing.

Your only job is to meet yourself where you are, not where you think you “should” be.

Creating Space for What You Need (Not What’s Expected)

This Thanksgiving, I want to offer you one simple invitation:

Choose what supports you. Release what drains you.

Maybe that means:

Saying “no” without apologizing
Leaving early without guilt
Asking for help before the meltdown
Taking a walk to clear your mind
Allowing the moment to be imperfect

Slowing down isn’t failure. It’s self-leadership.

A Thanksgiving Blessing for You

As you step into this season, my prayer for you is simple:

May you feel grounded. May clarity find you where you are. May compassion return to your heart—first for yourself, then for others. May gratitude soften what’s been tense. And may you notice the small signs of hope that whisper, "You're further along than you think.”