[The Grey Wolf]

So its Thanksgiving and I'm supposed to go to family dinner like I do every year. I'm feeling very nervous about being around such a huge crowd and all of the noise and voices. Every year this happens I don't like being in crowds kinda agoraphobic and I'm finding it hard to breathe thinking about being around family who I don't necessarily get along with I usually end up outside by myself in the cold avoiding everyone. I have nothing in common with any family member and they all like to poke fun at me and then they fuss at me for leaving when they do and not socializing with them. Anybody else going through the same thing?

[Little Lulu]

Holidays aren't my favorite days either. I have had various difficult family dynamics to navigate over the years and it has finally come down to two ways I deal with it: I put on my best attitude before I go, and when it gets tough I tell myself that this is only one day and 'this, too, shall pass'. There is nothing wrong with getting away from the crowd for a bit if you need to. I always plan something fun just for me that I like to do for the next day so I have something to look forward to.

Best wishes. Maybe it will be better than you anticipate but if not, Friday will be here sooner than you think.

[The Grey Wolf]

Thanks I am sorry you have had similar experiences I hope you have a great Thanksgiving

[winter4me]

I don't remember this, but I am told by more than one person that (years ago--many) I rode from one state to another with my then husband to his parents for the holiday, and I never got out of the car when it reached the driveway.
Sat there all day.

[JumpingJacks]

Hey, I know the feeling! I've been dreading today for the past couple of weeks. Every year this happens. My family has really high expectations and I feel like I let them down with my mental illness (bipolar) and the anxiety thing. But anyway what I do is just try to help as much as I can with getting the food ready and on the table and cleaning up so I'm not so focused on talking and I can keep busy. Also, I try to ask other family members questions about them and how they are doing. I try to think of some things ahead of time to ask and remember a little where everyone is and what they are doing so that way it takes the attention off of me and I don't feel like everyone is thinking about how weird I am lol. Hope that help! Good luck.

[Little Lulu]

Originally Posted by winter4me

I don't remember this, but I am told by more than one person that (years ago--many) I rode from one state to another with my then husband to his parents for the holiday, and I never got out of the car when it reached the driveway.
Sat there all day.

I hope you don't mind but this made me smile today.

[winter4me]

Originally Posted by Little Lulu

I hope you don't mind but this made me smile today.

I don't mind at all. It kind of makes me smile. Imagine what they thought?!(yikes) Apparently, it made sense to me at the time.

[The Grey Wolf]

Thanks my family doesn't have high expectations they just are so different than me they don't understand. I'm sorry about your family problems I have trouble connecting with my family well really with anyone despite being very emotional I don't understand why but I don't feel close with any of my family members. Well I'm off now I hope it isn't as bad as I think it will be.