7 ways to get through the "X-mas is cancelled" Blues
I know this is going to be a challenging holiday season for many of you. As someone who has had to celebrate 3 of our BIGGEST holidays of the year without seeing my family I would love to offer some bits of what helped me get through it. I live alone. I haven’t seen my sisters in 9 and 7 months respectively. I haven’t seen my parents in 4. I haven’t seen my some of my best friends in 8 months because we all live in different cities and have not been permitted visits.
So here are some ideas to get you through this messed up time in no particular order:
1. recognise that zoom is not the same.
Do it anyways, just to say “Hello”.
2. Dress up for you. Decorate the house for you.
Make Christmas cookies and eat them for YOU.
3. write down 3 things that you can be grateful for every day.
Like deep breaths, a roof over your head, a smart phone to read this. Many are not so blessed.
4. create your own personal and private holiday traditions just for you.
For example- this year on hannukah, I lit the candles and sang prayers anyways, even though I was alone. I set my own tradition of what time I would do it and what songs I would sing afterward. Then I made French fries instead of latkes- still potatoes, still fried in oil, still festive, but my own personal spin on it. This made hannukah still feel special for me.
5. take some time to make homemade gifts or cards or photo collages.
Send them to loved ones or keep them for yourself. This will make you feel like you are still in the holiday spirit.
6. allow yourself to grieve the loss of this holiday season.
Give yourself permission to get angry, be sad, cry, get aggravated. It sucks, feel that. It is okay.
7. count your blessings again.
Share this with someone who needs to hear it this holiday season. xox
