Simple Ways To Enjoy The Holidays While On The Road
Spending the holidays away from family and friends because you’re on the road is never fun. Sadly, this is the fate of many truck drivers. So, what can you do to make the holidays more enjoyable for yourselves and your families?
Ignore Concrete Dates
The calendar may tell us that Christmas is always December 25 and New Year’s Eve is December 31…But, who says you need to play by these rules?
Even if your packed schedule doesn’t allow you to be home on the exact dates the special day lands on, we encourage you to simply reschedule them. We don’t know about you, but at Thunder Funding, we view holidays as times when we get together with family and friends. If that means Christmas lands on December 22 or Thanksgiving gets scheduled on the fourth Friday of the month, that’s okay by us. Just because you’re not home on a specific date, doesn’t mean you don’t get to participate in the holiday at all.
Use Technology
We’re well past the days of snail mail and phone calls, folks. Video technology and social media have made it possible to do everything but taste the pumpkin pie…yet. We’ve seen many drivers turn to Skype, FaceTime, Facebook, and Instagram to participate vicariously in the holiday celebrations they aren’t able to attend. Streaming video and Instagram Stories can put you right at the table with all the people that matter most to you.
Find Company
Remember this: You’re not the only driver on the snow-covered road or at the truck stop. Get out of your cab, grab a coffee, share a meal or a talk with a fellow driver. Wish happy holidays to the truck stop employees who would also rather be home with their loved ones. Show each other pictures of your kids and spouses and make small talk. Take the time to make everyone a little less lonely and, in doing so, make yourself feel less isolated. There are also some truck stops that go the extra mile to make drivers feel at home during the holidays. If you can find one, be sure to park and say hello.
Stay Festive
Tune into the Christmas music station on your radio. Hang a festive wreath on your grill. Wear an ugly holiday sweater. Do whatever it takes to bring some cheer into your cab while you’re on the road. Treat yourself to a nice meal at a restaurant or indulge in a peppermint hot chocolate. Be kind to yourself during this season.
Your cab will never be able to compete with being home for the holidays, but there are so many little things you can do to make the ride more enjoyable.
Be sure to check out our Thunder Funding Blog for more trucking industry news and trends from the team at Thunder Funding!