Dear Abby: Do I have to spend the holidays with my family?

Dear Abby provides guidance to a reader who feels lonely, isolated, and invisible during family holiday gatherings despite being surrounded by people. The individual expresses a lack of belonging during these events and has come to realize that they would be significantly happier spending the holidays by themselves. The advice column addresses whether the reader should stop attending these family gatherings to prioritize their own emotional well-being and mental health during the festive season.