Christmas may have come and gone for the year 2020 but the festivities are still very much in the air. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, Christmas is different this year for many as families are forced to spend the special holidays apart.
In case you are one of those who have to spend this festive period alone, we have listed some tips that could help you get through it by yourself.
1. It’s OK To Be Angry
It is okay to be angry about your festive plans getting ruined. Everyone has a right to their feelings. We have to acknowledge and give space and sit with that sadness. Suppressing the negative thoughts doesn’t work – they come back with a vengeance.
2. Change Your Expectations
You may have been expecting a lovely big family Christmas, the picture-perfect Christmas but unfortunately, that’s not going to happen. Accepting that this year’s festive period will be different is key. You can now rewrite the rules and plan something different. And if there are events or traditions that you can’t do this Christmas, it may help to think of them as paused rather than cancelled.
3. Plan, Plan, Plan
Don’t wake up not knowing what you are going to do. Planning the day out allows you to break it into bit-sized chunks. So plan what you are having for breakfast, set some time aside for reading, or a walk, or an afternoon film, or ringing relatives. Make sure you have some nice food in, have some people you know you can video call or just text, and make sure you have some sort of agenda for the day. Having something to look forward to next year could make a real difference.
4. Do What Makes You Happy
Spend the day doing the things you enjoy. This could be taking a morning jog, playing video games or doing puzzles. Equally it could be having a hot bath with a good book, or a lie-in wearing your favourite pyjamas. If you haven’t got the pressures of travel or fitting in with other people, then you can simply focus on doing what makes you happy. Buy yourself a present or get something you’ve always wanted. And wrap it up to then unwrap later! Do what will make you feel good in terms of sensory things.
5. Speak To Other People
If there are people you’d like to speak to, you could arrange to talk over the phone or via video call. Or you could watch a film together, or do a quiz. And if you are feeling isolated or down, try getting outside.
6. Eat What You Want
If you love turkey – and can still get one from your local shop – then do it. If you hate the stuff, buy something else. There are no rules about what you should and shouldn’t eat, so get in some food you can look forward to eating. Plan to enjoy your favourite food or drink. It could be a special breakfast or some interesting soft drinks. It could be a good excuse not to eat traditional Christmas food.
7. Don’t Celebrate At All
Of course, you may decide not to mark Christmas at all this year. You could treat it as if it’s any other day. This may feel easier than trying to celebrate alone, it’s completely understandable if you feel this way.
