Break is a wonderful opportunity to hit the reset button. From the perspective of a first-semester freshman living on campus, this is the longest I have stayed at home since August. Speaking for myself and other freshmen living away from home for the first time, this break is a chance to take a step back.
It is the perfect time to organize for next semester, explore your hometown, stay in for a weekend and reconnect with family and friends. Even if you don’t have a biological family, just being around the people you define as family is a great thing to do for yourself. Spending time with yourself in a different environment is a great way to spend the break. Really remember to take a break during the break.
College can be a hectic time. The break is a great time to unwind from campus life. This is a great time to be mindful of the way you unwind. Most of us young adults tend to mindlessly scroll as a hobby. While there is nothing wrong with that in itself, Thanksgiving/Fall Break is a great chance to take the time to develop new methods to really unwind. Take this time to watch all the movies you’ve been putting off.
Try watching movies in the complete dark after a shower with a candle, a face mask and some tea. It really elevates the viewing experience at home. Also, try getting into reading, whether it is a magazine, online article or even a book. Same thing with the movie ambiance, an ambiance for reading is a game-changer. A diffuser, coffee, and a seat by the window is the perfect scene for reading. Getting into reading over the break also gives the chance to go to a bookstore or library.
Being at home for more than a weekend is a great time to explore. Go for a drive, a walk or a run. Personally, I love walking around my neighborhood and looking at all the pretty houses while finding new ways back home. If coffee is your thing, find a local coffee shop to try. If you like fashion, find a thrift you haven’t been to. Instead of letting the time pass while sitting in your teenage bedroom, explore based on your interests. Just remembering to get out of the house is great for mental well-being.
Thanksgiving break is a great time to reconnect with people. Text the people that you know from home. Whether it is friends from high school, relatives or past coworkers, maybe even hang out with old friends. If you are on good terms with family, take this chance to catch up. Even if you don’t have the best family situation, catch up with someone at home that would probably love to hear from you. It is so easy to self isolate yourself and to just not reach out. But taking that step to initiate reconnecting is a great way to spend break.
Being at home is a great chance to take a step back. As cliche as it is, it is a chance to reset, refresh and reconnect. Especially around Thanksgiving, it is a space to take it a little slower. It is a chance to reconnect with yourself and those around you.