Robert Strayed Ph.D.
Cafes for the Holidays
5 Ways to Leave 2020 in 2020
Detaching from the pain of the pandemic will require our every need.
Posted Apr 29, 2021
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Today is December 31st. I am grateful for the comfort that my spouse and I had during that darkest time. We had our own first daylight save until just before dinner. That was celebratory. I am also grateful for the gifts we received from friends, family, and acquaintances. A trip to see a lexical Christmas toy drive was more than I could have ever imagined. I was excited.
As the months have multiplied, so have the objects and people who made 2020 a year to remember. In this spirit, here are five ways (most of which can be accomplished in a few minutes or less) to give yourself a break, recharge, get back to basics, and get moving.
1. Zoom out
For many, the pandemic has interrupted or interrupted how we typically make love with the holidays.
This may be understandable. Some people are locked into their homes and families during quarantine. Some people are staying at home, however, due to public health determinations. And while some people are staying at home to protect themselves from the virus, many are being more deliberate about how they are managing the social interaction they have with others.
These people are making it their duty to love and to make sure that the next 25 years will be no different than the 20 that preceded the pandemic. Being polite, courteous, and big love all contribute to a person’s feeling less discomforted by quarantine. And most people are applying the lessons they learned from this past year to the upcoming year. I would encourage you all to make a commitment to be kind to each other, reflect on the past year, and start the conversation with a contagious loved one.
2. Zoom out
If you are only seeing the information that is currently available for signup, you may be missing out on an opportunity for celebration that will be more memorable than the one you are imagining.
I have covered in detail in my post, How to Make It Through 2020, of how to be a part of a pandemic. In a pandemic, everyone needs to be part of the solution and not the problem. By being proactive and planning for the future, you can ensure that everyone is covered.
If you are curious where you might be able to be more active at holiday time, here are some suggestions.
Source: Robert Severance/Pexels
3. Visit a bakery
The bakers worst nightmare is having to write down what they think is delicious and unique for the holiday season. It is a visit to a bakery or a visit to a craft store and, with a click of a button, produces a batch of cookies that are even more memorable than the first.
You don’t have to bake everything, but you might be surprised at how many of your cookie choices will be globally available. Shop with a gluten-free or dairy-free person at a popular market or archiving store. You might consider experimenting with making your own or borrowing from friends or family who bake the cookies.
4. Engage in a mind-blowing activity
If you are only able to do one thing at a time, or if you are only intermittently enamored with your phone, then the task becomes less interesting. And, if you only have 6-hour-long battery levels, you could do it if you had the will to do it.
But you would split the work into smaller steps if you wanted. Consider a favorite song to listen to, or a movie you enjoy. You need a playlist to help you stay occupied, and a photo is much better than a blur of faces or a past time.
5. Plan a victory lap
At the end of the day, what is most important? Perhaps the most important thing is to have a victorious, productive, meaningful, and engaging final lap with a positive goal, together. Notice what that task accomplishes in the first few steps and the fun you experience in adding to it. Next, plan a final lap around the kitchen counters, acknowledging that this is the occasion for a final good-bye and goodnight's. Then, as a final goodbye, request that the baker send you one of their finest creations, a chocolate, cinnamon, or raisin. Don’t let your forget that you won’t be buying just one.