10 Emotional Stages of Thanksgiving
The countdown is over and Thanksgiving is finally here. Whether you're cooking for your dorm room pals or heading over to your aunt's this year (because according to an official study, aunts make the best casserole), eating way too much in the company of our favorite people always makes us feel some type of way. No matter what's on the menu, the idea of Thanksgiving dinner brings all the feels to the table. But those feels change throughout the day. From morning, when you're eagerly anticipating the arrival of the turkey; to right before the meal when you feel like you're about to scream from hanger; to that final, blissful moment you realize you truly can't eat any more. Here are the 10 emotional stages everyone experiences on Turkey Day.
1/101. Anticipation.
It's almost like Christmas morning, but for your stomach. There won't be any presents under a tree, but in a matter of hours, you'll be treated to more food than you know what to do with.
2/102. Intrigue.
Early afternoon rolls around and a melting pot (literally) of savory scents wafts through the halls. Consider your tastebuds piqued.
3/103. Anxiety.
Oh snap. You only have a couple hours until go-time. Between your carnivorous cousins and vegan friends, you have no idea how to please everyone. You screenshot a few recipe contenders and rush over to the grocery store before it closes. Will you remember everything you learned in home ec?
4/104. Focus.
Adulthood is navigating your way through the aisles and selecting unique and festive foods with confidence. Heirloom carrots, a few decorative squashes, a sack of sweet potatoes, and French string beans it is. You got this.
5/105. Determination.
A few hours to go and the excitement sets in while you get ready for the feast. There's a universal Thanksgiving style guide and it goes as follows: Loose with elastic waistbands to make room for food, yet chic enough for the Insta. Don't forget your best accessory: A major appetite.
6/106. Relief.
Ah, redemption is here. Whether you're greeting the host with your very adult-like creamy side dish, or welcoming the squad into your decked out and candle-lit dorm, you really feel as though you're about to taste the sweet, sweet fruits of culinary labor.
7/107. Hunger.
That's an emotion, right? But don't get it twisted: You're not hangry so much as hungry for everyone to have a great time. You look around at the table. While you might not agree with your uncle's politics, or your little cousin feeding the honey-baked ham to the dog, it's your family or group of best buds, and you couldn't be more grateful to have them around.
8/108. Thankful.
The reason you're all here: To go around the table give thanks. You think to yourself "When was the last time I took a moment to appreciate all that I have?" You're holding hands with each person beside you and you can feel each other's fingers tremble with starvation, so you wrap it up real quick.
9/109. Distracted.
There's a heated game of "Would You Rather" going on about the merits of green bean casserole vs. marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes. But you don't have the brain power to think right now. Just taste. And gorge. And gorge. You remind yourself to chew more thoroughly lest Jenny from your sorority has to perform the Heimlich on you again this year.
10/1010. Happy.
You just ate your body weight in turkey and pie and you don't feel an ounce of regret. You're currently in the fetal position clutching your stomach both out of feeling an unprecedented level of stuffed, and from laughing so hard along with your nearest and dearest. You now have an entire calendar year to prep your stomach for the next Thanksgiving feast. Go!
People are too preoccupied worrying about their own lives to judge you as much as you think they are. What’s your favorite Teen Vogue moment? When I got to interview Kylie Jenner. Share a funny anecdote from a first job or internship.
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