Welp guys, it is Thanksgiving and I am posting Angel Olsen again because she was pretty successful last year.   In that I mean a lot of people seemed to appreciate the post and I plan to give similar advice this year, only with a high fever and very little sleep added in to really spice things up (I accidentally typed Halloween to start and had to stare at it for 30 seconds to remember what was wrong).  I guess the thing that needs to be said is that holidays are not always a great time for everyone.  They just aren’t and I know in our brave new world they can be even more stressful.  The first thing I want to tell you is that your reaction to Thanksgiving is ok.  Your reaction to your family is ok, too.  That feels maybe the most important.  Most of you will just have to swallow your pride and try to keep quiet because you are going to somehow be the more mature one at the table.  Some people might try to make you feel bad about that but not everything needs to be a battle.  It’s ok to have a day off.  There are so many reasons you might not be able to speak up.  Maybe you’re still financially dependent on your family.  Maybe you’re scared of some of your family.  Maybe you’re held hostage by the fact that the shitty family members come with the ones you love and you’re held hostage by that.  Maybe you just wanted some Turkey and a day off.  There are so many reasons and they are all ok.  You can let yourself off the hook on this one, even if someone posts something here telling you otherwise.  They are wrong.  No one knows your specific situation and I want the world to be a better place but I am not sure fighting with your family will do that.  I am not sure that small incremental improvement if it exists is worth the price of you.  Only you know your situation and I am saying it’s ok.  No one else knows. What I do know is at some point it is going to get to you.  You are going to crack under it all and this does not make you weak.  It isn’t a failure in your part.  It makes you human.  Willpower is not an endless well and at some point it will be tapped out.  Be it from having Narcissists as parents, being forced to sit across from your abuser, your “wacky” Uncle Jimmy or Pete or Billy or Jimbob and his thought on Muslims.  Whatever it is it drains you and that’s ok.  That’s why my advice comes in.  Bring your headphones.  Whatever is going on you can walk away.  There is no shame in it, it is actually the adult decision and if the other adults there aren’t mature enough to realize it then it’s not your fault.  Don’t make a scene, just go to the bathroom or to wash your hands.  Then find your stuff, put on your headphones and go for a walk.  Most people probably won’t even notice.  If they do make an excuse.  You needed 2000 more steps and had to get them in before you fell into a turkey coma.  You felt light headed and needed some fresh air.  You had a call you had to take.  Whatever.  But put those headphones on and listen to some music you love.  Truly love.  It doesn’t have to be upbeat, it just has to set your soul soaring.  You’ll know better than I.  It’s where Angel Olsen comes in.  I think she’s brilliant and her album My Woman was in heavy Rotation this past year.  This year I saved her new release to listen to for the same reason.  Music can build a fortress around your senses and fortify your heart when you need it.  Use it for that.  Art can illuminate, it can educate, it can help you transcend your own shitty existence but it also can just be a soothing balme when you need it.  Use it.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving and do what you need to to make it trough.  Remember, whoever is causing you stress will be gone in a few days but you will still have your music and you will still have some left overs when they are gone.  That means you’re going to win.  They cannot beat you.  Today I want to fuck Angel Olsen.