When you’ve been traveling all year, you can linger on the edge between being happy with your job and feeling like you’re missing out on important life events with your family and friends. On one hand, you have an awesome, fulfilling career where you can see new places and help people wherever you go. Nothing is ever boring, but it does mean that you might miss a birthday party, brunch with your friends, family dinner night, or yes, even Thanksgiving.
5 Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving as Med Traveler
There’s a trade-off to being a traveler because it's such a rewarding and challenging career path. This time of year, we’re reminded to be thankful for what we have, and to appreciate the memories we make while living our best lives. If you’re a med traveler away from home for the Thanksgiving holiday, check out these fun ideas for how to celebrate!
No. 1: Accomplish a new goal
Nothing really grows you as a person like travel does. You’re achieving personal and professional goals, while discovering new things about yourself. There’s something about travel that’s energizing. It gives you more fuel on your fire, and a little extra drive to accomplish the things on your bucket list.
The great thing about traveling for work is that you can combine your personal and professional goals. So, you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, plus get licensed in California? That’s just the motivation you need to pair these two goals together. You’ll come out of travel life more self-aware and you’ll probably happier for it.
Your mission, should you choose to accept
If you’re looking for a way to brainstorm ideas for new goals, spend your holiday making a list of personal and professional goals you have yet to accomplish. Then, rank them in order of importance and set attainable times for achieving them. When you’re done, post the piece of paper in a highly visible area, and enjoy renewed motivation each time you see it.
No. 2: Experience something and someplace new
Vacations are nice, but you have such limited time when you’re on vacation that you don’t get to fully immerse yourself in the culture of your current city. It's like you're trying to cram a lifetime of experiences in a short three-to-five days or within a week.
When you spend extra time working and adventuring in your new assignment location, you have extra time to see the sights, go at your own pace, and even get in on what the locals are up to. Go ahead—spend that full day at a cool museum, drive up the coast for a weekend getaway, or plan a three-day hiking trip—time is on your side!
Ready for a road trip?
Spend your holiday taking a drive to a new place you haven't explored. Visit a new park, plan a solo Thanksgiving weekend getaway to a nearby town, or attend a holiday event you’ve never been to. Or if you’re looking for a way to give back, volunteer your time at a local food bank or homeless shelter. Whatever you do, make sure to take plenty of pictures, and create a digital "Thanksgiving Holiday Exploration" album to show friends and family (and don’t forget to tag Fusion Medical Staffing on social media! We love to see the adventures of our travelers)!
No. 3: Spend time with new friends
While you have family and friends you’re missing back home, you’re also in the unique position to meet colleagues and like-minded people to discover new places and hobbies with. Use the holiday away from home to bond with your new BFFs, celebrate Friends-giving, and enjoy each other’s company. These relationships can make it that much more fun to go back for a visit after your assignment is up. Look at you go, social butterfly!
Socializing is fun
Spend your holiday with new friends or coworkers. Chances are, you're all in the same boat, spending Thanksgiving away from family and old friends. Make it a feast! Host the whole meal or invite everyone over for a potluck and turn new friends into lifelong friends.
If you’re working a holiday shift, bring a Thanksgiving treat to share with your colleagues in the break room. Or ask your coworkers to participate and bring the Thanksgiving potluck feast to you!
No. 4: Treat yo’self
You’re living life on your own terms. In a standard 8 A.M.-to-5 P.M. job, you don’t always get the flexibility to work in the city you want, to vacation when and where you want, or to take time off in a family emergency.
One of the benefits of traveling is that you can create your assignments around your best, most ideal life, taking jobs where you need and taking time off in between assignments to be around for the important things. And nothing is more special than that.
Another benefit of med traveling is the pay, especially around Thanksgiving and other holidays where holiday pay and bonuses may be an option. If you work a long, Thanksgiving Day shift, think about all the ways you can spend that hard-earned cash. Maybe you’ve had your eye on a designer sweater or maybe you’re simply craving a night out on the town. Whatever you do, treat yo’self!
You’ve earned it
Crazy idea: Spend your holiday on a staycation. Take time off for YOU! Relax and catch up on your favorite TV series or make your own solo Thanksgiving feast. If taking time off doesn't appeal to you, pick up some Thanksgiving shifts on your assignment, and give coworkers a chance to relax or visit their families.
No. 5: Venture back home
What’s that quote about absence? Something about it makes the heart grow fonder? Traveling is a wonderful experience, but at the end of the day (or, travel assignment), you're happy to go home. Coming home and reuniting with loved ones feels like a breath of fresh air. If you can swing it, spend a day or two at home and enjoy the time to share stories, new reasons to appreciate your family, and moments to hug your family just a little bit harder.
Reunited and it feels so good
If you really want to take Thanksgiving from “meh” to “yeah,” head home for the holiday, and make it a surprise! There’s nothing better during the holiday season than good food, good stories, and lots of love.
Whatever your Thanksgiving plans are, be sure to give yourself lots of love, relaxation, good food, and fond memories. Remember, there are people out there (including us!) that are thankful for you and everything you do, so no matter where or how you spend the holiday, you’ll know that you are loved and appreciated.
