Hello All:

Brief update for those keeping up: I resigned from the "forced fun" job, went on vacation, and just picked up a freelance gig that fits my personality MUCH more.

Now to my topic. This is the first year that I've decided to change my narrative on the holidays. As a child, I dreamed that my family's holidays would reflect the commercials and holiday movies. They never did. My "relatives" (I've learned that family is what you make) put the "D" in DYSFUNCTIONAL. I spent most of my adult years trying to mimic that dynamic (and putting way too much pressure on myself in the process).

Needless to say, it was exhausting, and now that my Dad is gone and I am single, there is no need to do "all that". For some reason, people (that I don't know very well) feel compelled to invite me to Thanksgiving dinner. Apparently they feel like it's a bad thing to be "alone" for the holidays, but I actually find it refreshing. It's nice to not have plans and just be able to relax...

...but I feel bad for saying "no". It's really nice of them to ask, but my "no's" have been met with follow up questions that really aren't anyone's business. I was recently called "Scrooge" which also makes me feel bad.

Any suggestions on how to just say no and not have to deal with the backlash?