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Let’s dive into this Thanksgiving post with a sobering reality:
According to the 2025 Holiday Mental Health Report by LifeStance Health, 51% of respondents say they feel lonely around the holidays, even when they’re with loved ones.
Among individuals already living with a mental health condition, about 64% say the holidays make their condition “a lot” or “somewhat” worse, says Utah State University.
Wait a second.
Some of you come here for leadership insights.
Others are looking for ways to build stronger teams, improve customer experiences, and enhance your company culture.
And maybe a few of you were just hoping for a heartwarming Thanksgiving story.
So why am I starting with something heavy, talking about loneliness, discouragement, and depression?
Because this season, for many people, isn’t just about turkey and gratitude. It’s also about what feels missing.
Thanksgiving, and the holidays that follow, can shine a spotlight on our deferred dreams and unmet desires. For some, it’s a reminder of loss, loneliness, or unfulfilled expectations. Even those who seem to “have it all” aren’t immune.
Famous leaders like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jim Carrey have publicly admitted their struggles with depression. Even biblical heroes like Moses and David wrestled with despair. David once asked himself the question many of us quietly echo:
“Why are you cast down, O my soul?” (Psalm 42)
We often associate Thanksgiving with gratitude, but in reality, it can magnify what we lack instead of what we have.
The missing spot at the table
The unfulfilled dreams
The child that you long for.
Holidays can magnify the gap.
There’s no magic fix for the heaviness that sometimes comes with the season. But there are small shifts that can bring hope, peace, and perspective.
1. Turn Down the Noise
Be intentional about what you let influence your mind. Spend less time with people, media, or messages that fuel anxiety or comparison. It’s okay to be informed, but don’t let the noise drown out what’s true and good.
2. Replace the Noise with Truth
Seek out the voices and resources that build you up. Spend time with people who remind you of what’s real, right, and hopeful. Read, watch, and listen to things that inspire gratitude rather than discontent.
3. Develop a Rhythm of Thanksgiving
Don’t wait for one Thursday in November to practice gratitude. Make it a rhythm, something woven into your days.
Keep a thankfulness journal. Start each morning in prayer. Take a moment at the end of each day to notice the bright spots. Gratitude grows when we practice it consistently.
While this time of year can stir sadness, it’s also an opportunity to reframe our focus. When we turn from what’s missing to what’s present, we find something powerful: contentment in the middle of longing.
This week, as you gather with family and friends, I hope you experience that kind of gratitude. The kind that doesn’t ignore pain, but transforms it.
A simple shift in focus, from what you don’t have to what you do, can change everything.
Happy Thanksgiving!
