Thanksgiving Challenges

This holiday is a time of year that many people spend in the company of family and friends. But maybe your family lives far away, or maybe your relationship with your family is delicate. Maybe you are alone today, or must work, or do not have any particular plans. If you are feeling lonely, isolated, sad, or anxious around this holiday, here are some simple ideas and things you can do that might pick you up. 

1. 1. Be productive. Do some chores around the house, clean out a closet. Wash your car. You will at least get a feeling of accomplishment around completing a task you otherwise would not have time to do.

1. 1. Get outdoors. Go on a hike at one of our beautiful Tennessee State Parks like Percy Warner or Radnor Lake. Both parks are free to visit and have easy and strenuous trails depending on your fitness level. Both are very close and usually very busy so you will not feel alone. Also, the state parks are having free guided ranger hikes on Black Friday.

1. 1. Write a letter. Take the day to write some letters or emails to people that feel safe for you. Even write a letter to yourself to open next Thanksgiving to see what you were thinking and feeling, and observe what changes you have made or how things have improved.

1. 1. Volunteer. There are many ways to volunteer around the Franklin or Nashville areas this holiday season. Places like Graceworks, Nashville Rescue Mission, and other places have many opportunities. A quick google search offered many options.

1. 1. Start your own traditions. Go out to dinner instead. Plan your own Thanksgiving card game or run in a local 5K Thanksgiving race, travel to a place you’ve never been, or go to a movie. Or, simply veg on the couch. Do something that fills your bucket so to speak and let expectations and commitments that do not bring you joy go.

If anxiety or depression is preventing you from connecting to others or yourself, or your feelings and emotions around the holidays become overwhelming, there are many ways to get help. Talk to a trusted friend, call your doctor, or consider therapy and counseling. Sometimes talking with someone will help you see things from a different angle and you can learn how to live life in a new way. If you have questions about how this might look for you, please call us at 615-591-5262. We would be honored to walk beside you during this time. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 immediately.

The Refuge Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. We will return to the office on Monday, December 2, 2019.