Socially Distanced Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Bells are ringing, children singing, and Santa’s got on his mask. It’s no secret that the holidays will look different this year. Living in a world where normal life is turned upside down, many people are counting on the holidays to bring some normalcy back into their lives. Fond memories of families snuggled up by the fire, sharing laughs with friends around the tree, embracing loved ones you haven’t seen in a year; it all feels so comfortable and…normal. So how can we tap into that familiar feeling this year, the year of social distance, while keeping our loved ones and ourselves safe? It may look different and feel a little strange, but this year we’re rolling with the changes.

“When you release expectations, you are free to enjoy things for what they are instead of what you think they should be.” — Mandy Hale

The most important step in enjoying the holidays this year is to release all expectations from previous holidays. We can lose the beauty of the present moment by comparing it to other moments. Jon Kabat Zinn explains that two of the foundations of mindfulness are acceptance and letting go; therefore, if we accept things the way they are, we are more likely to appreciate and find joy in them. Perhaps sitting six feet away from your Aunt Susan isn’t how you imagined it, but today you get to see her, right You still get to hear her kind voice and enjoy her home cooking. Releasing all preconceived ideas about how gatherings “should” look to be enjoyable is key here. Practicing gratitude in the moment when feelings of judgement arise will help to subdue disappointment. Here’s a quick exercise to have on hand: Name three things you are grateful for that are in front of you. Maybe it’s the food, your warm sweater, and the roof over your head. After you’ve reframed your idea of the holidays, let’s begin exploring new ideas to celebrate. If your group of friends or family is large, possibly a zoom call with holiday activities on hand is to your liking. There are many games and activities available online to explore. Maybe your group would enjoy sharing their favorite holiday memories or watching a movie together over facetime. If you live nearby an elderly family member, caroling from the driveway could bring cheer. Now’s the time to break out your creative spirit. However you may choose to celebrate, remember the best present is presence– presence with the moment you are in, the people you are around, and the things you are doing.