{"id":5775,"date":"2021-11-18T07:16:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T13:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/?p=5775"},"modified":"2021-11-04T13:28:50","modified_gmt":"2021-11-04T18:28:50","slug":"holidays-covid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/holidays-covid\/","title":{"rendered":"Holidays Reimagined: Coping & Getting Creative Amid COVID Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"COVID<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s never too early to start thinking about the holidays. The season will be here before you know it. While that might typically bring feelings of excitement and joy, it could also bring some hesitation, or even grief, this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people called off their traditional holiday get-togethers and opted for smaller gatherings  or connecting over Zoom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While things are better this year, virus variants have continued to make COVID a household name. Some states still have serious restrictions in place. Even if yours doesn\u2019t, you might be hesitant to hold a big gathering if you want people to stay safe and healthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

So, how can you reimagine the holidays this year? How can you let your creative side shine while spending time with the people you love?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let Yourself Grieve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many people, things aren\u2019t totally back to normal. So, give yourself some time and space to grieve that loss. This time of year, it\u2019s hard to step away from traditions and getting together with the people you love. It\u2019s okay to feel sad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might even be grieving the loss of a loved one who died over the past year. Whatever your situation, don\u2019t force yourself to put on a smile 24\/7. By allowing yourself some time to process your grief, you\u2019ll be able to make room for both grief and feelings of connection and celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep Your Holiday Traditions Alive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Holiday<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

You might be able to bring back traditions this year that you couldn\u2019t do last year. Or, you can get creative and modify them to keep people safe. For example, if your family typically does a cookie swap, why not mail your famous creations to your loved ones and ask them to do the same? Everyone will love getting packages of goodies in the mail each day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have a family of Christmas carolers? Gather everyone together on a video conference and sing together.  Or, commit to having a virtual holiday meal at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of ways to get creative with your traditions. In doing so, you might even be able to come up with new ones for everyone to enjoy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respect Everyone\u2019s Decisions <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Again, the pandemic is still very much \u201calive\u201d in our society. But, so much has changed since last year\u2019s holiday season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From vaccine rollouts to mask mandates, people have different opinions on how to keep themselves and others safe \u2013 and that\u2019s okay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s not okay is forcing those opinions on others, including your family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you want to have a holiday get-together this year, be sure to respect everyone\u2019s choices. If you\u2019re hosting, do what you can to make others feel comfortable. Do you live in a warmer climate? Consider having your Thanksgiving meal outdoors. If you have enough room indoors, space people out as much as possible or create \u201csections\u201d  for each individual family to sit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, resist bringing up COVID-19  as a topic of conversation. For well over a year, it\u2019s been unavoidable. It\u2019s on the news, on social media, and a \u201chot topic\u201d no matter where you go. Because people have such strong opinions, it might lead to some tense moments around the dinner table if it\u2019s brought up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, focus on being grateful that you can get together this season,  even in modified ways. Enjoy every moment with the people you cherish. You can share the things you\u2019re thankful for and remind each other how important it is to be together. Those reminders, combined with the things we\u2019ve all been through over the last year, will help to make this season special. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact Me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you need help embracing the season<\/a> in ways that are appropriate for you. Please reach out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know how stressful and demanding it can be to make changes in your life, but you don\u2019t have to figure it out on your own.   Some of the benefits of individual therapy include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n