Halloween, Midterms, and Thanksgiving Trigger a Surge of Internal Complaints

The weeks between late October and late November bring a specific set of social stressors to American households.

Daniel Dunaief, writing for TBR News Media, has compiled a list of internal monologues that he predicts will run through the minds of many residents during this period. The piece covers three distinct events: Halloween, the midterm elections, and Thanksgiving. Dunaief frames the article as a collection of spoken and unspoken words that may help temper the excitement or dread associated with these dates. The timeline places readers just days away from October 31, a few days from the midterm vote, and a few weeks from the November holiday.

The first section focuses on the interactions between adults and children on Halloween night. Dunaief describes the mental calculations involved in evaluating costumes. He notes the internal debate over whether a sheet from a closet constitutes a valid costume. The writer also details the friction caused by children who do not say trick or treat, instead simply holding out a bag. There is a specific calculation regarding candy distribution. The internal voice decides that two or three pieces are acceptable, while an entire bucket is not. The text also addresses the scenario where a child is in a parade and receives extra candy, prompting the adult to wonder if they can skip the neighborhood walk entirely.

The middle section shifts to the polling place on election day. The internal thoughts center on the length of the line and the desire to leave for an hour and return without losing one's place. Dunaief describes the anxiety of eye contact with other voters. The writer wonders if the person in front is a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent. The text captures the feeling that the person is trying to determine how the voter will choose. There is also a reaction to the claim that this is the most important election of a lifetime, followed immediately by the internal note that it will be the same until the next one. The writer mentions counting to 100 in French to pretend to listen to neighbors discuss their children.

The final section addresses the Thanksgiving gathering. The internal monologue begins with a surprise that a specific relative made it to the house. Dunaief describes the dread of discussing football. The writer notes the internal repetition of the phrase that nothing is wrong, despite hating the sport. The text includes the expectation that a story about a ping pong championship will be told for the third year in a row. There is also a physical discomfort regarding the temperature, where the room is described as both too hot and too cold. The section ends with the internal promise to eat a cranberry sandwich on a bagel with powdered sugar for breakfast, despite the staring from relatives.

The article concludes with the internal reaction to being asked if the voter is truly thankful. The writer notes the lack of a lie detector for gratitude and mentions that artificial intelligence is working on one. The final line confirms that the event was great and that the person is happy to come together again, with a look forward to the next year.