Thanksgiving isn't easy for everyone. If you're concerned that you can't manage to be around certain people, you can choose to employ any of these 16 family gathering avoidance strategies.
🪑 Strategic Seating: Request or arrange seating that places you at a different table or at opposite ends from the person you wish to avoid.
📋 Volunteer for Tasks: Keep busy by helping in the kitchen, setting up tables, or managing the kids' area.
👩 Use Buffer Guests: Position closer family members or friends with whom you feel comfortable between yourself and the person you're avoiding.
👥 Engage in Group Activities: Participate in group games or activities that don't require close communication with the person you're avoiding.
👶 Focus on Children: Spend more time playing with children or engaging them in activities. It's a natural and often welcome distraction at family gatherings.
📱 Step Out for Calls: Take occasional breaks by stepping outside to "take a call" or check on something, giving yourself a breather.
🛒 Offer to Run Errands: Volunteer to pick up any last-minute items or help with outside preparations, reducing your time in direct contact.
🕒 Control Your Timing: Arrive a bit later or plan to leave earlier than usual to shorten the duration of your interaction.
🔒 Find Safe Topics: If interaction is inevitable, steer conversations towards neutral topics or general interests that are less likely to cause conflict.
😂 Use Humor to Deflect: Light humor can be a good way to deflect any uncomfortable or provocative comments.
🚧 Set Boundaries: Politely set clear boundaries if the person attempts to engage in a way you find uncomfortable or unacceptable.
☕ Take Breaks: Regularly excuse yourself for a few minutes to get some air or a drink, breaking up any prolonged interaction.
💬 Engage Others in Conversation: Actively engage other guests in conversation to naturally create a buffer and keep your attention occupied.
👬 Use the Buddy System: Coordinate with your spouse or a trusted family member to help keep the conversation flowing away from dangerous waters.
🚶 Practice Polite Excuses: Have a few polite excuses and be ready to leave a conversation if it becomes too uncomfortable.
😮💨 Mindfulness and Breathing: Maintain your composure through mindfulness techniques like deep breathing to manage any stress or irritation during the event.
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