Covid Holidays

We are deep, and I mean deep into this whole Corona-virus thing.  It’s been months and months.  We are constantly being given new guidelines, we provided with new information daily, and the media informs us of new things to be afraid about all the time.  We are all tired.  We are all burned out.  And we all just really want this to be over.  And just as we are all about to lose our minds, we now must usher in the holiday season.  

Although we have been living in partial isolation from family and friends for about nine months, it does not mean that we like it nor that we have found truly effective alternatives to stay connected.  And while many of us were very much looking forward to a somewhat normal Thanksgiving (if nothing else), this first big holiday of the season has been ripped away from us just as so many other events have been:  weddings, graduations, proms, Independence Day, Halloween, birthdays, and all of the other fun things and benchmarks we have may have been taking for granted all these years.

Covid sucks.  2020 has been so incredibly difficult.  And we now are unable to enjoy what has historically been called the most wonderful time of the year (besides back to school for parents…lol).  So what do we do?  How on earth are we expected to manage this now and for who knows how long?

Unfortunately, there are no really good answers here.  None.  Partly because everyone’s needs are different and partly because we’ve never done this before.  

As humans, we are simply not designed to isolate like this.  To have even the option of contact being taken away, even if someone rarely goes out, is very difficult.  And while some people feel that it is not the governments job to enforce some of these rules such as mask wearing, I view it more as in the best interest of the masses.  Kind of like how we’re not supposed to drive drunk.  It’s a human courtesy to help keep other people, people who may have underlying conditions that they don’t even know about, stay safe.

But these are the holidays.  The time when family comes together to celebrate.  The time when we practice gratitude.  The time when we welcome the new year.  It’s supposed to be full of parties and hugs and connection.  But not this year.

Depression is real.  Seasonal affect disorder is kicking in for those that experience it.  And these Covid-holidays are doing nothing to help.  

So the only solution we have, albeit far less than complete, is to practice self-care and to practice love and kindness for those that we are able to safely be around, whatever that may look like.  Be grateful for the delivery people.  Be kind to the grocery store workers.  Be compassionate to your health care providers.  And be these things to yourself.  Be grateful.  Be kind.  Be compassionate.  Because you, yes YOU deserve these things now more than ever.  Because these are the things that will help keep us connected to ourselves and to one another.  And this is how we mine our light.

I hope you enjoyed the start to this holiday season as best as you could.  And I hope that you are able to get the support that you need now and always.  And if you need a little extra help, please, please, please feel free to reach out to me or to any of your local providers.