Another way that I have dealt with the anxiety of Thanksgiving day, is to pretend that it is a Thursday. Just a Thursday. Only. No hype, no hoopla, no stress. Just a regular Thursday off of work.

And it worked for some of the time. Especially in the early days of the week leading up to the holiday. I lived my life as I always have done. I would work a regular amount or more at the spa. I tried to avoid the population increases at the stores and would stay away from the "traditional" pre Thanksgiving cooking frenzy. It was pretty easy for the most part.

Now on the actual day of Thanksgivings past, I would tell myself that my family was getting together for dinner. That's it. Just a regular family dinner. No fuss, no muss. But that didn't really work, as we would have many different dinners to attend that were a success in themselves of scheduling. And then there was the food to deal with. What do we bring where? And where do we actually eat as to not hurt feelings but to also be fair. And how do we eat the amounts expected of us, while saving room for items that we may really be wishing for.

After the days eating has ended, then the ruse could commence. Dealing with as many family members as we have can be more work than work on the actual Thanksgiving day. And with the next day being a free Friday, I could enjoy the 3 day weekend, trying to forget that it was actually 4! And isn't it odd that this used to be my favorite holiday? Now with the veil of childhood removed the view of the realities of the complexities of the holidays is revealed. Welcome to growing up...