Changing our Holiday Expectations

2020 has been a year unlike anything most of us have experienced before. We didn't expect to go through the lockdowns due to the pandemic, the shortages at the store, or protests over racial injustice, yet here we are.

Additionally, people are experiencing "pandemic fatigue", where we are tired of hearing about & modifying our lives around the pandemic. 

Unfortunately, we can't end the pandemic just by acting like it's gone. We must follow the safety protocol and advice from our leading scientists in order to beat this together.

It may not be the most "fun" thing to do, but I would argue that adjusting our holiday plans to be safer is the most loving thing we can do during a pandemic.

The CDC has guidelines for many fall holidays, so check out the official health advice & talk about how to best apply it in your situation.

Below are some layman's tips for the holidays:
1. Be gracious. Not everyone has the same comfort level as you, so give people grace if they are wanting more or less restrictions.
2. Adjust to the comfort level of whoever is the least comfortable. If you are fine meeting inside, but your friend feels safer meeting outside, then meet outside. This is especially crucial if there are multiple people to interact with. Otherwise those who aren't comfortable with the relaxed restrictions might be left alone while others get together.
3. Start talking now about how we can make adjustments to our normal holiday plans. 
4. Brainstorm unique ways to celebrate at home with those in your household. Instead of a full Thanksgiving spread, what are your favorite dishes you would prefer? Who would you like to call/e-mail/text during the holiday?
5. Give yourself to time grieve, process, and take care of yourself. This is a hard season of life. Process how you are holding up and what has been easy or difficult to do. Ask yourself what you need to stop doing or start doing in this season. Grieve the losses you have experienced. Get e-counseling to work with a professional. We can't heal if we don't acknowledge our woundedness. We must clean & set the injury. Plan self-care that rejuvenates you.