As the seasons have continued to change and the rise in stress has started to become more apparent, I can’t help but think about the fact that I’m not home for Thanksgiving. This year will mark the first time someone in my immediate family is missing a holiday.
As I have continued to think about what I will do in lieu of out family traditions, I can honestly say that I don’t know. I might as well sleep in, go for my usual cappuccino and croissant, read, study for exams, and pass the day like it’s any other.
When my sister was doing her study abroad, we spent our Thanksgiving with her in Paris eating delicious food at the oldest restaurant in the city, sipping cocktails, and seeing the city lit up by holiday lights and the sparkle of the Eiffel Tower.
Even though there was some parisian exploration, without my family, it doesn’t feel the same.
Hopefully this year I can either make my own tradition or I can live with the knowledge that my family will be together for the holiday in my head.
If you are spending Thanksgiving alone, I do have a few ideas to remedy the loneliness:
- Read, all day!
- Go to the movie theatre.
- Take yourself out to a nice dinner and enjoy your own company.
- Watch Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1.
- FaceTime with family all day.
I don’t really know what this year’s holiday season has in store for me besides an ungodly amount of oral examination, however that’s okay, because I’m excited to learn about how I cope with feeling lonelier than usual. It’ll be a personal exploration of my mind.
DU Abroad 