Skipping Thanksgiving? Here's Why Celebrating Small Wins Can Be Your True Path to Bliss

Celebrating small wins is a powerful way to build momentum and boost your mental health, reminding yourself that every step forward counts. Whether it’s completing a task, setting a boundary, or simply getting through a tough day, acknowledging these victories can help you stay focused and motivated.

The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, but for many, it can feel like a pressure cooker of stress, social anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. Thanksgiving, in particular, is synonymous with large gatherings, grand meals, and the expectation to feel “thankful”—but for some, these traditions can feel anything but joyous. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the obligations of the holiday or the pressure to meet certain social standards, you’re not alone.

But here’s the good news: skipping Thanksgiving doesn’t mean missing out on joy. In fact, it could be the most liberating choice you make. Instead of conforming to the hustle and bustle, why not focus on what truly matters: celebrating yourself. By shifting your focus away from the chaotic holiday narrative and honing in on your own small wins, you can create a sense of peace, joy, and accomplishment—without the holiday stress.

The Overwhelm of Traditional Thanksgiving: A Day of Expectation

For some, Thanksgiving brings with it the stress of family dynamics, long travel times, and the pressure of “perfecting” the day. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or feeling disconnected from family, the idea of a massive dinner or social obligation can feel suffocating. The very notion of feeling "grateful" can seem hollow when you're overwhelmed, burnt out, or emotionally drained. It's easy to start thinking that Thanksgiving isn’t a time for celebration, but for many, it becomes just another day filled with expectations.

But what if you didn’t have to take part in the traditional holiday celebration? What if you could make Thanksgiving your own and focus on celebrating your personal growth and accomplishments instead? For those of us who struggle with social anxiety, family conflict, or simply the weight of tradition, opting out can be a powerful act of self-care. It’s a way to reclaim the space you need for peace and reflection, all while honoring the quiet victories in your life.

Celebrating Small Wins: A New Kind of Gratitude

The beauty of choosing to skip Thanksgiving is that it allows you to embrace a new form of celebration. Instead of focusing on the larger-than-life moments, you can focus on the small, often overlooked achievements that have shaped your year. These small wins might not have the same grandeur as a holiday feast, but they are just as, if not more, important for your mental health and well-being.

1. The Win of Getting Through a Tough Week

Maybe your biggest achievement this year hasn’t been a promotion or a grand accomplishment, but simply surviving a difficult week. Maybe you juggled work stress, family obligations, and your own mental health challenges—and you made it through. That’s worth celebrating! The act of simply being when life feels overwhelming is a victory in itself. Take time to honor your resilience.

Example: If you’ve recently managed a stressful work deadline or dealt with a personal health struggle and still showed up for yourself—no matter how tired or emotionally drained you felt—that’s a win. Pour yourself a cup of your favorite tea, take a long bath, and reflect on how far you’ve come.

2. The Win of Taking a Mental Health Day

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your mental health is to take a break—and that’s not always easy. If you’ve taken a mental health day this year, congratulations! Recognizing the need for rest and emotional recovery is a massive step toward self-awareness and self-love.

Example: Maybe this year you took a day off work to rest after a stressful period, or perhaps you allowed yourself a day to relax with no expectations. These seemingly simple actions help you restore your energy, recharge your emotional batteries, and remind yourself that you matter.

3. The Win of Saying "No"

Setting boundaries is a huge win—yet it’s often underrated. If you’ve said "no" to a commitment or request that didn’t serve you this year, you’ve already accomplished something significant. Saying no isn’t always easy, especially when there are external pressures. But doing so in favor of your own needs and well-being is a reflection of your personal growth.

Example: Perhaps you said no to attending a family gathering that would have drained you emotionally, or maybe you didn’t take on extra work when you were already overloaded. These are not small actions—they’re powerful forms of self-care.

4. The Win of Practicing Self-Compassion

In a world where perfection is often glorified, showing yourself compassion is a quiet but powerful victory. If you’ve worked on silencing your inner critic or given yourself permission to not be perfect, you’ve made tremendous progress.

Example: Maybe you’ve learned to forgive yourself for past mistakes or chosen to celebrate your efforts, not just the results. Perhaps you’ve been kinder to yourself on days when everything felt like too much. These moments of self-compassion pave the way for healthier mental habits in the long run.

5. The Win of Finding Joy in the Simple Things

In a world that’s constantly moving, it can be easy to overlook the small, everyday joys. Finding delight in simple pleasures—whether it’s watching a sunset, reading a book, or taking a walk—can provide a deep sense of fulfillment. Celebrating these small moments can bring you a profound sense of gratitude without the need for grandiose celebrations.

Example: Maybe this year, you found joy in something simple: the feel of soft rain on your face, a delicious cup of coffee in the morning, or the quiet satisfaction of a well-tended garden. These small moments are the quiet, sustainable sources of joy that contribute to your mental well-being.

The Bliss of Your Own Celebration

By focusing on your personal victories, you take back the narrative of what it means to "celebrate." Instead of feeling obligated to participate in large social gatherings that cause anxiety, you can create a meaningful experience for yourself. Skipping Thanksgiving can give you the space to acknowledge how far you’ve come, the challenges you’ve faced, and the progress you’ve made. And perhaps most importantly, it allows you to celebrate your own journey on your own terms.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Power of Small Wins

This Thanksgiving, consider turning away from traditional celebrations and focusing on what really matters: celebrating you. Whether it’s taking the day to reflect, indulging in self-care, or simply acknowledging your wins, choosing to focus on your growth can provide you with a deep sense of fulfillment and peace. After all, true gratitude begins with appreciating yourself—and the quiet victories that shape who you are.

So, this year, forget the turkey and the holiday bustle. Instead, focus on the small but mighty wins you’ve made—and take the time to celebrate them. Because you deserve it.