Thanksgiving always brings me back to the essentials: family, friends, fellowship… and yes, a perfectly over-engineered turducken that makes you wonder who first said, “You know what this bird needs? Another bird.” Reflecting on gratitude, mental health, and digital security can also be a part of this time of thanks. Gratitude, mental health, and digital security are all important aspects of our modern lives.
But this season also reminds me of something deeper — the quiet battles we all fight behind the scenes.
Some are emotional. Some are digital. And some, like in my book Undermined, are both.
The Mental Health Cost of Being “Always On”
The holidays can be a beautiful escape, but for many, they’re also a trigger. Stress, loneliness, old wounds, and unresolved chapters tend to resurface this time of year.
And in a world where our phones never stop buzzing and security threats never take a holiday, the mind rarely gets the rest it deserves. These are crucial for gratitude, mental health, and digital security.
I learned this the hard way. When your digital life is targeted, it’s not just assets or accounts that get compromised — your sense of safety does too.
That’s the heartbeat of Undermined: recovering from a digital crime that leaves emotional bruises long after the incident is over.
Thanksgiving is a reminder that mental health isn’t a luxury; it’s survival, just like maintaining digital security.
Digital Security Doesn’t Take Time Off
Hackers don’t pause for the holidays.
Scammers don’t say grace and take a long weekend.
And vulnerabilities don’t magically disappear because we’re passing the gravy.
During a season when we’re traveling, shopping online, connecting to unfamiliar networks, and juggling new devices, our attack surface widens — a lot. At such times, gratitude, mental health, and digital security matter more than ever.
So be thankful… and be careful.
A few quick reminders:
- Enable 2FA everywhere you can
- Use a backup email or device
- Watch for phishing scams disguised as holiday deals
- Resist the urge to click “free gift card” links
- Lock down your home network before guests arrive
- And if you’ve got a turducken… don’t leave that unprotected either
The world is decentralized. Our trust shouldn’t be.
A Moment of Appreciation
This year, I’m grateful for the people who kept me grounded, the community that lifted me up, and the strength to keep telling a story many would hide.
If you’re struggling — mentally, emotionally, or digitally — hear this:
You’re not alone.
You’re not broken.
And you’re not done.
Thanksgiving is about connection. Even in a decentralized world, community is what keeps us human.
Happy Thanksgiving — and Pass the Turducken
May your day be safe, may your mind be calm, and may your digital life stay secure while you enjoy the people who matter most.
And to whoever invented the turducken…
Yum yum. You’re the real MVP.
