There are two types of people in this world — the type that sleep in the day after Thanksgiving, and the type who get up early to throw-down in the shopping aisles. If you identify with the former, you may have trouble finding ways to spend the infamous Black Friday.
Unless you want to stay in bed all day and mourn the death of your waistline, it may seem impossible to avoid getting sucked into the vicious consumerism taking place outside. However, there are, in fact, plenty of neglected alternatives for people who do not like to shop on this day.
Here are some ideas on how you can spare your sanity on this hectic day, as well as your bank account!
Visit the local park, hiking trail, or ice rink.
Black Friday can bring out the worst in humanity, so it is understandable if you would want to distance yourself from civilization for the day. If your hometown is not blessed with beautiful hiking trails like Clinton, New York is, your local park will suffice.
If your park has a lake, and it is cold enough to ice skate on it, now is your opportunity to do that when it is the least crowded. However, if you are staying on campus over the break, do not let the cold keep you from the Glen — just be sure to bundle up before you head out. Whether you spend the day in the woods, a local park, or at a lake, you can be sure that you will not run into any rabid customers.
Go to a museum.
If you live by a museum that peaks your interest, this is a day that you can practically have the entire place to yourself. This is a great idea for people who want to avoid both the unhinged consumers and the chilly November weather. No matter how popular or crowded these museums typically are, you can count on it being significantly quieter than usual. Instead of pondering the potential deals that you are missing out on, your mind will be occupied with the fascinating exhibits you are perusing.
Write, draw, paint, or explore any other kind of art form.
If you are averse to the soul-sucking consumerism perpetuated on this day, then why not partake in an activity that feeds the soul? If you do not think of yourself as an artistic person, maybe you can discover a hidden talent today. Because, what is better than creating things on a day where people are expected to do nothing but consume?
Spend time with the people you love.
You can do this during any of the previously mentioned activities, or if you just want to spend the day at home. Whatever you decide to do on Black Friday, it is better spent with people you love.
A big reason why so many people lose control on Black Friday, sometimes reverting to violence, is because they believe that accumulating a lot of material things will make them happy. People get violent because they are desperate to possess better items than their neighbors, friends, colleagues.
Plenty of psychological studies have shown that this self-centered pursuit is not something that can induce long-lasting happiness. However, there is evidence that feeling connected to other people can lead to long term happiness.
If you want to go shopping on Black Friday to find good deals on a few items you have in mind, there is nothing wrong with that. However, if you are only motivated to accumulate more stuff in your house, maybe consider whether this behavior is healthy or productive.
