11/24/2025
Finding Peace During Thanksgiving When Family Connections Feel Difficult
Thanksgiving can stir up a mix of emotions. Many people look forward to the holiday, but others feel a quiet heaviness as the day approaches. If your family relationships are distant, strained, or simply not supportive, it can feel as if the world is celebrating something you do not have. You might find yourself wondering where you belong or how to make the day feel meaningful when the usual traditions do not bring comfort.
It is important to know that there is nothing wrong with you if this season feels hard. Family does not always look the way we expect, and connection does not always come from the people we grew up with. Some people build chosen families. Some create new routines that feel safe and peaceful. Others use the day to rest, reflect, or spend time with people who genuinely support them. There are many ways to honor the holiday, and all of them are valid.
Grief can show up quietly when certain bonds are missing. This might include grief for relationships that never felt secure, grief for loved ones who are no longer here, or grief for the version of family you hoped for. These feelings deserve attention rather than avoidance. Acknowledging them can help you feel less overwhelmed and more grounded.
If you do not have traditional holiday plans, you can still create a day that supports your emotional well being. Try focusing on small comforts. This could be enjoying a warm meal, taking a quiet walk, spending time with a pet, organizing a personal project, or connecting with one or two people who make you feel understood. Meaning does not have to come from a large gathering. It can come from creating a space that feels gentle and calm.
At Brightside Behavioral Health, we work with many clients who feel disconnected during the holidays and want support processing those feelings. Whether you need a space to process grief, strengthen coping skills, or understand why certain family patterns still affect you, you are not alone. Our therapists and medication management providers offer safe, compassionate care that meets you where you are.
We provide in person therapy across our Rhode Island locations in Johnston, Cranston, Warwick, and Riverside, and we offer telehealth services throughout both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. If this season feels heavy, reaching out can be the first step toward building the kind of support that feels steady and real.
You deserve connection that feels safe. You deserve peace that lasts beyond the holiday. And you deserve a place where your feelings are taken seriously.