Navigating the last bit of 2020
The home straight of 2020?
As we march through December and into the Christmas home straight, (a time of year that is frequently hectic and stressful even without a pandemic to cope with), we are facing a very peculiar set of circumstances.
This year there will almost certainly be fewer social engagements, something that might be a very welcome thing for some but feel like a big loss for others. Despite the extra pandemic regulations taking some seasonal decisions out of our hands, we may still have to navigate the sometimes difficult negotiations of who we spend Christmas with, perhaps with even more complications than usual. Again, this could be welcome or further add to the stress, depending on your particular situations or how you like to spend this time of year. Whilst our calendars may be feeling less of a strain there will almost certainly be other pressures that we are facing in terms of concerns about health, finances or further isolation or separation from our loved ones.
A Tumultuous Year
It would be rather stating the obvious to say that much of this year has been challenging. When I flew home from my trip to California in the middle of February the rumbles of a pandemic were only just starting. I, like a lot of people I think, thought it would probably all just blow over or turn out to be a minor inconvenience at worst. I don’t think many of us had any idea how this year would progress and the sort of, yes I am going to use that word, ‘unprecedented’ changes we would all face. Nearly ten months on, we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel but we are most certainly not out of the woods yet.
So, as we contemplate the remaining few weeks of 2020, a most tumultuous of years, it will be helpful for most of us to take a little time to consider what self-care provisions we could put in place. As humans, how well we look after ourselves tends to be a fluctuating thing. It is common that we do less well with self-care at the times when we most need it. You will likely have some idea of the kinds of stresses you typically face at Christmas time and you may be all too aware of the particular challenges facing you and your family this year. Below I have set out some suggestions for ten things that might help you navigate the holiday season with greater ease. Not all of these will be relevant so perhaps choose one or two that you think would be most beneficial to you.