top of page
Writer's pictureJeremy D. Robinson, LMFT

The Emotional Dichotomy of Thanksgiving

As we gather around the hearth of gratitude this Thanksgiving, embracing the warmth of those we hold dear, we must acknowledge that the glow of the season may not reach every corner of our hearts. This time of year, with its emphasis on giving thanks, can cast long shadows for those navigating life's trials. It’s particularly trying when we feel compelled to count our blessings amidst personal turmoil, as if gratitude could be summoned on demand.


In this season of thanks, it’s vital to embrace a more nuanced understanding of support — one that allows space for the coexistence of gratitude and grief, contentment and longing. Being sincerely supportive of others means acknowledging that their experiences are multifaceted and may not fit within the festive expectations. It’s offering a presence that doesn’t seek to fix but to witness, to hold space for whatever feelings arise, be they bitter or sweet.

For ourselves, it’s essential to grant permission for ambivalent emotions to surface. You don’t have to cloak your struggles in forced positivity. Instead, find solace in authenticity, even when it’s complex. Recognize that it’s possible to be grateful for the threads of goodness woven through your life while also feeling the weight of hardship.

This Thanksgiving, let’s set aside the notion that gratitude and pain are mutually exclusive. Let’s offer each other — and ourselves — the gift of true acceptance, the kind that invites all parts of our stories to the table. In doing so, we foster a deeper connection, one that honors the full spectrum of what it means to be human.



1 view0 comments

Bình luận


bottom of page