This year, we hit the reset button
This certainly has been a year for the record books. Our lives as we knew them were suddenly turned upside down and sideways, leaving us in a topsy-turvy existence.
Things we took for granted as part of our everyday lives suddenly became taboo. Trips to the mall, movie theaters, even dinner out with friends, were suddenly taken away. And life from one day to the next changed at the drop of a hat. We were indeed and continue to be in uncharted waters.
For many of us, we celebrated quarantine birthdays, settling for drive-by greetings and virtual celebrations. Hugs have become a thing of the past, for the most part. Handshakes have gone the way of the dinosaur. Classrooms, for many, have shrunk to the size of a computer screen. Parents have become teachers while trying to effectively perform their jobs virtually. And for many, jobs and businesses are in limbo.
There is no doubt that our lives have changed. Stress levels are high, and now, the holidays are coming around. With cases of the virus on the rise, our normal traditions will be put on hold. It’s easy to get disheartened, I know.
Remember, though, this is temporary. I know it feels like an eternity. We have now been fighting this invisible foe for a long eight months. But we can hope that once 2020 is over, and with a safe and effective vaccine available, we will all breathe a collective sigh of relief!
The holidays … the traditions we know and love are temporarily on hold. Save them for next year. But what about this year? This year, we hit the reset button.
Take a breather, a break from the responsibilities of the usual gatherings. No cleaning or all-night baking sessions. Give yourself a pass, do what makes you happy. If you like decorating, then decorate. If you want a year off, take a year off. Reset. Breathe. Catch up on things you want, and let the rest go.
Hosting large gatherings is now off the table, so come up with other creative ways to celebrate. Personally, I will host a Christmas Day Zoom Party for the 40 or so people who usually fill my house on that day. I hope everyone who would have come to my home will appear on the screen, and we can all catch up in that way. Is it as good as being there? Of course not. But we’ll save those large gathering for next year.
So hit the reset button this year. With no large gatherings, it likely eliminates some of your workload and gift buying. The gifts that need to be bought can likely be ordered online, without having to shop in crowded stores.
Make a list — who really needs a gift? Family, close friends … remember everyone is in the same boat. Go easy on yourself. Remember to reset and regroup.
It seems we are very close to a vaccine to fight this battle. If we all do our part, social distance and wear our masks, we can win the day and contain this wretched virus. Perhaps we will all postpone our large gatherings until next year, when it’s safe — why not have Christmas in February or March, if circumstances permit?
You have been given a clean slate as far as the holidays go. No past expectations can be valid this year. So, write a new story. Create new traditions. Next year will be better. We all just have to get through this year.
There are many things we can do, with a little creativity. With the holidays reset, anything goes. Small family gatherings and technological get-togethers will have to do for now. And stay hopeful. Stay positive. Because if you are healthy, you have a huge gift.
The joy of Christmas is not store bought. It does not come in holiday meals or parties. The joy of Christmas comes from within. Find that joy, hold on to it, and treasure it. And catch your breath because, God willing, next year there will be some wonderful celebrations!