COVID-19 and the 2020 Holiday Season

When will life return to normal?

I’ve asked this question many times. You’ve probably asked this question many times too. The 2020 holiday season is upon us. As a consequence, that question has more emotional weight to it than ever before. By this point some of us are insisting that life go back to its pre-pandemic ways, even as we read that rates of infection are surging, hospitalizations are mounting and the death toll is rising.

Medical professionals have been telling us that the pandemic will be with us for some time, even with the advent of an effective vaccine. It’s looking more and more likely that we’re stuck with what we have for at least another year. So the question, “When will life return to normal?”, maybe not only the wrong question to be asking ourselves, but perhaps even a damaging question, because by entertaining the question, we maintain the fantasy that normalcy will return.

Expectations Adjustments

Pining away for the past and insisting that its return is a sure way to make ourselves feel miserable. On the other hand, living as though there is no pandemic, or COVID is not a serious problem, can get us or other people sick, or worse. The better choice is to adjust our expectations. The holidays are going to be different this year. Maybe it’s even better to say the holidays SHOULD be different this year. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do during the pandemic.

Identify Needs

What do we really need from the holidays this year? Is it interpersonal contact? Travel and adventure? Relaxation? Figuring out what we are craving is critical.

Get creative

Instead of dwelling on what we have lost or what we can’t do this year, get to work on realistic alternatives that get our needs met. Foreign travel is largely out of the question, for example. But what about domestic alternatives? Fact-to-face contact with family and friends is being advised against by medical experts, but what about internet alternatives? These alternatives may take some work and require that we think “outside the box.” Relaxation might be the easy option this year! Expectations for travel and visitation are at an all-time low. So staying at home and taking it easy may be the perfect solution for many of us! (If you really don’t want to see those annoying relatives, this is your chance to say “no” with the perfect excuse!)

Problem Solving

We need to be prepared for obstacles and problems to arise as we investigate our alternative ideas. Problems can often be overcome or worked around, so don’t give up on what looks like a good idea. Persistence will get it done.

Take Action

Nothing will happen unless we make it happen! You can enjoy the holidays this year. You can make plans and carry them out.

When faced with a long-term problem, we can cause ourselves emotional damage by insisting that things go back to the way they were. That can’t happen and maybe shouldn’t happen with the holidays this year, and we make ourselves unhappy when we pretend that it can. As an alternative, we can replace what was lost with reasonable alternatives, and find enjoyment and fulfillment in them.