How to survive Christmas 2020
2020 has been a challenging year for all of us. Although we have seen positive news about the covid vaccine in December, we will all clearly have to hold steady for at least a few more months, and will not be able to celebrate this Christmas as we had hoped.
This short piece considers how we might approach Christmas in 2020, given the new restrictions on travel and socialising imposed on Saturday 19th December.
Accept the situation - millions of people have been forced to change their plans at the last minute, and will be disappointed and saddened at not being able to celebrate as they wished. We can feel and acknowledge this disappointment, but if we can then move on to just accept that this is how it is, this will free us up to think about how to make the best of the Christmas we do have.
Do it your way - with many plans now scrapped, you may find yourself in the unusual position of having fewer expectations or responsibilities this holiday season. So, why not do Christmas your way for once? Treat yourself. Spend the day in your pyjamas. Watch films. Eat and drink what you want. See this holiday period as a bonus few days in your life to do whatever you want, whenever you want.
Find different ways to share it with others - if you were hoping to be with others this Christmas, why not think about different ways to share it with them? For example, have a Zoom call to open presents together, sing carols together or play some games.
Connect with others - if you are alone, use this opportunity to get in touch with people. Everyone will be feeling a bit disconnected this Christmas so this is an ideal time to get back in touch with people, even if you’ve not seen them for a long time, as everyone will be pleased to have the contact and company!
Help others - helping other people at this time is not only good for its own sake but could also improve your own Christmas. If you have too much food as you’d expected more people at Christmas, see if there are others who need it who you can give some to. If there are people who are isolated or vulnerable near you, check on them and call to say hello (within the distancing rules, of course!). We all need a bit of looking after this Christmas - and it feels good to help others too.
See the big picture - now perhaps doesn’t feel like the most optimistic time, but we have reason to feel positive about the future. There may be several more months of restrictions on our lives ahead, but we can feel hopeful about our lives easing up over time as the vaccine is rolled out over the coming months. Use Christmas to rest up and regain your strength, and be ready to push forward in 2021.
Wishing you a safe, peaceful Christmas, and a much improved 2021!
