We’re getting close to the end of 2020! Yes, I know we still have all the holidays of December, but personally, for me, those are all about family… and we all know how that’s been working out this year.
Just like the new families of 2020 babies… we’re all experiencing a loss. A sudden shift in tradition may have you feeling an extreme loss of control on top of disappointment. And those who have mental health concerns are having an even more difficult time. So, what can we do?
1. Identify how you are feeling. Talk to a friend, spend some time reflecting, or start a journal and express those feelings.
2. Acknowledge what you’ve lost. For our BRC families, they’ve lost the ability to celebrate and show off that little one(s) to friends and family. Many have lost the physical and emotional support of grandparents and aunts and uncles as they can’t come to visit. Yes, it’s fine for all of us to acknowledge that we lost something this year.
3. Make the Most of It! It’s not going to be the same. The traditions will have to change and hopefully just for this one year. Try thinking of a new tradition or keep some old ones and do it just a little differently.
4. Try not to romanticize your typical holiday traditions. I’ll have to admit, I was doing that about Thanksgiving, but I failed to remember the stresses of baking for weeks ahead of time, traveling, and being totally exhausted by the end of the weekend!
5. Practice gratitude. Try to make a conscious effort to identify some things in your life that you are grateful for. Change is hard, but it isn’t always bad. There are still ways to celebrate the season with your loved ones, even if you must give up some of your favorite traditions. Find creative ways to adapt. Or start new traditions – they may even add more meaning to your holiday season.
My hope for you and everyone, is that we enjoy the holiday season to the best of our abilities and hope the vaccine is everything we’re hoping it to be and life can once again return to normal… or at least what it was before the pandemic.
Happy Holidays to all. Be safe!
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