After months of creating your own schedule, making independent decisions, and adjusting to life on campus, heading home can feel surprisingly strange. Many students think everything will be just as they left it, however, both they and their families have changed. Although strange, this adjustment is totally normal. The adjustment shows how much you have grown during a transformative time, those first few college months.
Holidays bring out all kinds of feelings from happiness and excitement to stress and anxiety. Navigating the complexities of coming home for the holidays can be challenging. You may find yourself seeing family members you do not interact with often, balancing the routines and independence you have developed at college, and adjusting to parents who still view you as the teenager they remember sending off to college a few months prior.
As therapists specializing in college life, we wanted to highlight our advice on how to navigate the challenges brought up this holiday season.
Your first holiday home from college might not be what you envisioned, but it is also a chance to boost your connections with others, think about how much you have grown, and spend quality time with the people you love. By implementing these strategies, you can better balance your newfound independence with your family’s expectations and make the most of your holiday season.
Expect some anxiety.
Returning home for the holidays can bring up unexpected anxiety, stress, or uncertainty. You can be worried about speaking with your relatives, old family dynamics, and adjusting back to life at home. Rather than judging your emotions, acknowledge them. Think of what your emotions are bringing up for you. Using this information, you can decide what you want to share, who you want to spend time with, and how you want to engage with your loved ones.
Acknowledge that your feelings are information.
Your feelings can guide your thoughts to what information you want to share with your family. Remember that you do not have to share information that you do not want to. You are in charge of your own story. If you feel uncomfortable sharing a story about a night out with your friends to your family, you do not have to.
Challenge the information that you are telling yourself.
Ask yourself, “Why might someone have a certain response or reaction?” What is true in the situation? What is false in the situation? Use your feelings and think of why your emotions make you think the way you do. Families will not always understand the choices you have made or the paths you decide to take on. Although this can be frustrating, it is okay if your family does not always agree with your choices. Their disagreement does not invalidate your growth or your ability to make decisions for yourself.
Awareness is key.
Be certain of what you want and why you want it. Be intentional in your communication and what you want from your holiday season. Remember what you do have control of and what you do not. Focus on what you can control and be patient with the decisions made that can not be controlled. Strengthening the communication between you and your family can create more meaningful moments during the holiday season.
Set well-defined boundaries.
Take some time for yourself. Remember you do not always have to be with your family. Remember you can always speak up/stand up for yourself especially when you disagree with something that someone said. Healthy boundaries are important especially when you come back from college. Your family is not aware of changes that have occurred to you or the differences you have made since you left home. For example, since leaving home you have started making plans without checking in on anyone else. While these changes seem natural to you, your family may still expect the same routines and behaviors that existed before you left for college. Being patient with this adjustment can help reduce conflict and create more productive conversations. Healthy boundaries include communicating your needs to your family prior to your arrival and providing your family with information about how to be there for you in the way that you want them to.
Your first holiday home from college can be challenging, but it does not have to be. Although coming home can bring a mix of emotions and comfort, it can also highlight how much you and your family have changed and the growth you experienced in just the first few months of college. College consists of learning a lot about yourself, so do not judge yourself for not being able to fit in an environment that did not necessarily change with you. Remember that feeling stressed, overwhelmed, worried, and uncertain does not mean something is wrong. Instead, think of this as growth.
By practicing self-awareness, communicating openly, and setting healthy boundaries with your family, you can create a holiday experience that honors both your newfound independence and your relationships. If you are struggling to navigate family dynamics, anxiety, or life transitions, working with a therapist can provide valuable support and guidance as you continue adjusting to this new stage of life full of growth and new experiences.
THERAPY SERVICES FOR ANXIETY WE OFFER IN MANHATTAN & BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
The truth is, there’s no single or one-size-fits-all approach to anxiety treatment. Everyone has a different approach to managing anxiety and anxious thoughts. That is why it’s important to get clear on what works for you. Once you have a better understanding of yourself and your values, you can start designing your life based on the things that are most important to you.
Therapy for women in Manhattan and Brooklyn is a great way to figure out how to manage your anxious mind. At Manhattan Wellness, we will provide you with a safe space to explore your feelings and goals. So you can find clarity on what you want for yourself. We will pair your vulnerability with our empathy and encouragement. Then together we will uncover the key elements that will take you from where you are now to where you want to be. If you are ready to make the changes you want in your life:
- Submit a Contact Form or Email Us at hello@manhattanwellness.org
- Learn More About Our Team of Female Therapists and Our Areas of Expertise
- Let’s Talk About How We Can Help You Feel Empowered & Ready To Take The Next Step.
We believe that you have the power within yourself to make the changes you want and find your version of success. Our female therapists are here to support you in navigating this journey. Allowing you to reclaim your identity and take control of your life. Thus allowing you to create the future you’ve been dreaming of.
OTHER THERAPY SERVICES OFFERED IN MANHATTAN, WESTCHESTER BROOKLYN, & THROUGHOUT NEW YORK
At Manhattan Wellness, our therapists are here to support you in navigating this journey and reclaiming your identity. So you can take control of your life and create the future you’ve been dreaming of. This is why we offer a variety of services to ensure you get the support, care, and guidance necessary. The therapy services we offer are Therapy for Maternal Mental Health, Self-Esteem Counseling, and Anxiety Treatment. Along with Dating/Relationship Counseling, Counseling for College Students, and more. Feel as if you are not living the life you deserve? Let’s talk about it.