How to Survive Thanksgiving as a Single Woman.

Thanksgiving is one of my FAVORITE holidays, and a true HAPPY THANKSGIVING is in order! Don’t worry, the #tb series will be back tomorrow—I just couldn’t let today pass by without saying a few words.

Every year, I travel to my friend Angela’s home. Her and her husband have welcomed me into their home over the years, once in San Diego and several times in Indiana, where we grew up.

On Thanksgiving Day, Angela and I start the cooking pretty early—we make almost everything from scratch. Her parents and brother join us for dinner, and sometimes other guests come over. It is always a fun day, with delicious food.

I am really lucky to be surrounded by people who love and support me on this holiday, and I usually don’t ever have to grit my teeth and answer any questions about my relationship status, which is usually single.

However, there have been years that I’ve had a boyfriend, but he couldn’t come with me, or years where I’m fresh off a breakup and I was crying into my turkey. Any holiday, no matter the situation, can be hard to endure as a single person.

But fear not! I’m here with my trusty guide; we will band together, unite as one single-woman front and have a JOYOUS day, being single and proud.

Here goes:

Do give thanks. If you’re single, and don’t want to be, it’s easy to get down in the dumps. But chances are, there’s a TON you’ve got to be thankful for—so focus on that! Me? I’m so thankful that I have such a fun tradition with my friends and extended family each year. I am thankful for my job which affords me things I need, and the things I wish for, and I’m thankful that I’m in good health and good spirits.
Think about your freedoms. I’m not talking about ‘Merica—I’m talking about your freedoms as a single person. You don’t have to deal with in-laws, you don’t have to fret over impressing people, and frankly, you can do whatever you damn-well please!
Eat, drink, & be merry! Some holiday survival guides say not to binge, because you’ll regret it later. Tsk. Tsk, they say, Mr. Right isn’t in the bottom of the pie pan! Well, if you’re anything like me, you spend 95% of your year counting calories and busting ass at the gym in order to look hot, so today, I’m eating that cranberry sauce and I’m not going to give a damn!
Take it with a grain of salt, a slice of lime, and a shot of tequila. Depending on the gathering you’re at, people are probably going to ask about your dating situation, and if you’re REALLY lucky, they’ll offer their advice (since they are experts, and all). Let them say what they will, and then forget it. Literally. Don’t dwell on it. If needed, make a drinking game of it, and take a shot anytime you being “single” becomes a talking point. Drink!
Try new things. Whether you’re whipping up a new pie to bring to the gathering, or you’ve got a new lipstick you’ve been dying to try, give it a go! Trying new things, big or small, boost confidence and who doesn’t want that?
Mend your wounds. If none of this works, and a case of the lonelies strikes you down, do what you have to do—grab an extra mug of spiked cider, make a list of all the Black Friday sales you want to hit, and sneak away to watch reruns of Very Mary Kate. Trust me, it’ll at least make you laugh.