Let’s face it, this holiday season is tough for many people this year. Even in “normal” years, holidays can be tough because we all want to create this magical feeling – we want to create and experience joy. When we can’t celebrate with the people we’re missing or practice our traditional rituals, we can get frustrated, sad, or just spiral into depression.
In this week’s podcast, Becky Burns and I talk about our holiday experiences and how we hope to find joy during this season.
For those who are grieving:
We recognize that many are experiencing grief.. I mentioned being interviewed by Dr. Patti Ashley in November about grief.
I also want to mention this Webinar about combatting holiday loneliness.
Creating new traditions or celebrating in new ways:
In the podcast, Becky talks about Kwanzaa being celebrated from Dec.26-Jan.1 and how each day represents a theme that we can use as a prompt to take action and find joy and meaning in our lives.
I also mentioned how my friend, Shalini shared her Rangoli art in her Covid-safe celebration of Diwali on the Quiet Value Women forum.
I love learning about new traditions and celebrations and hearing how people are finding joy in creatively celebrating.
Ideas for celebrating:
We usually end our podcast episode with suggestions of how our listeners can find more joy. This week, I’m pulling from Pamela Gail Johnson’s Society of Happy People (SOHP) newsletter:
- Count your blessings if your healthy enough to breath, eat, and get out of bed — because that’s loving yourself.
- Ask someone how they are REALLY doing in a private conversation? Sometimes people are hurting but don’t post it on social media or tell you if you don’t ask. We simply assume they are okay because they appear content or show a happy face.
- Say kind words to someone — we could all use a little more kindness right now.
- Watch your religious services online.
- Spend time in meditation or prayer so you can personally connect with God or your idea of the universal power that’s bigger than you.
- Be a Secret Santa — bake cookies for a neighbor, drop off a plant, or send someone a card.
- If you can afford it — donate to a food bank, toy drive, or give a gift card to someone you know is financially challenged.
- Share one of your signature holiday recipes with those who won’t get to eat that dish at one of your annual gathers so they can still enjoy it. Food is love that nourishes the body and soul.
- Look the people in your physical bubble in the eye and TELL them how much you love them. And call or zoom with your family and friends to do the same. One day those will be words they’ll rehear when they need to hear your voice–and there’s no better message than letting someone you love know you love them.