This year, the Holiday Season is going to be very different. The current pandemic makes it so that we won’t be able to celebrate with all the people we would normally see. I thought it would be a good idea to write a post to help people cope with this and to make you all realise that it doesn’t mean we can’t have a wonderful time, nonetheless. Everything begins with your state of mind.
Andrew and I believe that this will be one of the best holiday seasons we’ve ever had… Why? Because it will be a return to the basics without all the pressure and stress that also come with the season. This is how we will make it happen… Want to join us?
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⭐️ Facetime sessions with friends and family
You may not be able to see your loved ones in person, but you still easily can see them! Why don’t you schedule a few sessions with different people, using platforms like Facetime, Skype or Zoom? Trust me, it can make a very big difference and really brighten your day. We live in an era overtaken by technology and we should really take advantage of it right now.
You could even hold festive meals through Facetime! If you use your laptop or TV to do so, you can hold conversations around the table the same way you normally would in person.
⭐️ Decorate your house
You may not feel like it this year, especially if it’s just for you but do it anyway. Getting the decorations out and spiking up your home will lift your mood. Hanging your favorite wreath will bring back happy memories. Adding Christmas lights or candles will create a dreamy and magical atmosphere which is soothing.
⭐️ Plan activities
There are so many things you can still do!
- Plan online games with friends and family. There are many games that you can still all play together without seeing each other. Why don’t you plan a Pub Quiz and hold it via Facetime? You can also play games like UNO, Scrabble, Monopoly online. Set up times and have fun!
- Schedule movie timeslots. You know the movies you always wanted to watch but never had the time? Or your favorite seasonal movies that never fail to cheer you up? Go for it… You could even discuss it with friends and family afterwards!
- Go for nice walks. If it is allowed where you are, walk around your neighbourhood or a nice park that isn’t too far. I truly believe that there is nothing quite like a nice Christmas and New Year Day walk.
- How about a nice drive in nearby neighbourhoods to look at the lights? No Christmas markets this year… But it doesn’t mean that there is no magic!
- Create new traditions. With this forced return to “simpler” things, why don’t you make the most of it and create new traditions? As mentioned above, maybe a nice Christmas Day walk? A new recipe? An annual Pub Quiz with you friends? Turning these into “traditions” will give you a great sense of purpose… And happiness!
⭐️ Involve yourself
If you want to do more, there are many charities that could use your help right now and throughout the Holiday Season. Do some research in your area and I am sure you will find something… All the while remaining safe.
⭐️ Find your people
By that I mean that you shouldn’t wait to the last minute to plan anything. Call your friends and family now and schedule time to virtually do everything you want to do. Not only will it ensure they’re all free… It will also give you something to look forward to.
⭐️ Restrict your media intake
Stay informed… But do not overdo it. You do not need the stress, especially with all the false information circulating. Find a good reliable website/channel and stick to it. Watch/read a few times a day, but no more than that in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Take a break from it… You know what’s going on and you don’t need to constantly hear/read about it.
⭐️ Take a deep breath
We’re all in this together! Take the time to enjoy the peace and quiet outside. Watch nature heal itself during this pause. Simply be…Enjoy the return to simpler things. Enjoy having more time for you and more time to connect with people, albeit virtually.
Enjoy time with your gorgeous pups who are probably very happy to keep a normal routine this year! After all, they will have you all to themselves!
In conclusion:
I know all of the above doesn’t replace a hug from your mum or snowball fight with your nieces and nephews… But it’s temporary and we have to adapt. People have done it in the past: A century ago, the second wave of the Spanish Flu hit and was much worse than the first one… Not unlike what we are witnessing right now. Just like Covid19, it spiked during the fall and winter. And you know what? Things eventually got better and gradually went back to normal, and I am betting people had a new sense of what matters.
We’ve got this! It’s not magic, it won’t make everything disappear, but it will make you feel better. So stay connected! We are surrounded by technology… Let’s use it to do good and be there for each other.
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