*contains affiliate links
Well it’s been a rollercoaster of a weekend. There’s unlikely to be many people who are not affected by the change of rules and it’s definitely put a downer on the final countdown to the big day. I’m trying to focus on the positives however I appreciate for some people, there aren’t any and that is a difficult pill to swallow.
We’ve all been longing and looking forward to Christmas with the hope that there would be some light relief for the special day. Had the rules been set as they are now from the beginning to the lead up to Christmas, people would have had more time to come to terms with it and plan how to make the best of it. The constant changes are the most frustrating part and while it’s understandable that safety comes first, there is an aura of inevitability about the whole thing. Transparency is really important in times like these and unfortunately there isn’t a lot of that around right now.
It’s likely to be an extremely sombre time for many people who are alone or have lost loved ones this year in the most of difficult of circumstances. There’s nothing worse than not being able to comfort or console those you love following a bereavement. Phone or video calls don’t translate the same way as a hug does or the touch of a hand. It will also be challenging for everyone who has been impacted work wise and understandably they may not be feeling as upbeat as usual.
While everyone’s circumstances will be different this festive season, the one thing we can all give this Christmas is love. It’s something that is possible regardless of your position socially, financially or otherwise. If 2020 has taught us anything it’s that time is incredibly precious. We’ve had more downtime than ever this year and naturally it’s been a reflective period even for those not directly impacted or tragically affected by everything that’s happened.
Make an effort, give people your time even if it’s from a distance. Be a listening ear or open up if there’s something you’ve been keeping to yourself / worrying about / consuming your thoughts. Although there is light at the end of the tunnel, the final stretch might well be the hardest. January can be a blue time under normal circumstances but I think the one to come will potentially be the most challenging of our lifetime. Everyone is looking forward to seeing out 2020 however it’s important to be realistic and recognise that the turn of the year isn’t going to instigate any material change in terms of the restrictions we’re living under. For some people that could be the final straw and enough to tip them over the edge therefore it’s worthwhile keeping a close eye on those around you as we move through the Festive and New Year period.
If all we give and all we receive this year is love, we’ll get through it.
xo!