Thread by @ProfAishaAhmad, Hey lovely folks! With vaccines on the way, we can finally see [...]

Hey lovely folks! With vaccines on the way, we can finally see a light at the end of this pandemic tunnel. But we probably won’t get there before Christmas. So, for those of us alone & in lockdown over the holidays, how can we make it through this time in good cheer?

/Thread

This is obviously going to be a different holiday season for us. Some are separated from family & friends they cannot visit. Others have loved ones who are emergency workers who have to stay on the front lines. Many of us are afraid of loneliness. But there is hope. /1

Holidays under hardship conditions can seem scary… but they can also be beautiful, in a strange, life-changing way. But we need create space for these moments of sublime. That means taking steps to ensure you actually have a break this season. /2

For many folks – myself included –work has helped distract us from isolation & fear. So, even if you need a break, you might be afraid of taking one under lockdown conditions. Busyness might seem better than loneliness, right? No! There’s another way. /3

This is my first pandemic, but I have had many holidays overseas and under hardship conditions. I used to be terrified of the loneliness, but I have learned that I can do it… and be happy. The key is to have the right attitude and a solid plan. /4

Let’s make a holiday plan together now.

Earmark a few consecutive days on your calendar for your break. With our new work-from-home lifestyles, the temptation to finish projects will railroad our break straight through to January. Don’t wing it. Pick your dates and commit! /5

Remember: even under normal conditions, the first day of holidays feels weird. Going from 100mph to zero is uncomfortable.

This year, it will be too easy to scurry back to your computer to distract from the quiet. So, once you have your dates, we will need a plan. /6

Let’s treat this like a real vacation, as if we are going to the beach. Auto-replies on. Zero work projects. And highly recommended is a digital detox, which means unplugging from all these rage-filled social media apps! Our goal is maximum Zen.

/7

Now that we have made space on our calendars, what do we do with ourselves? Well we aren’t going to stare at the walls. Rather, we can each develop our own “holiday plan” to guarantee that this time is blessed and joyful. Let’s make this super fun.

/8

First, regardless of how many days you have booked off, let's set aside one as a “lazy day”. That day is for reading novels, playing video games, or watching the entire director’s cut of Lord of the Rings in your pyjamas. Just melt into the couch.

/9

But that can’t be our entire holidays. One lazy day is bliss… 5 is cabin fever and misery. Set time aside for art, music, and baking… and also, for activities outside your comfort zone. If we want to find those moments of sublime, our plan needs a bit of adventure. /10

When I’ve been forced to shelter in place or restrict my movement in other disasters, it was very satisfying to pursue a “personal challenge” that gave me a sense of control over my destiny. A "personal adventure" is an awesome way to spend a holiday in a disaster. /11

Here are some of my own “challenge” ideas, which you are welcome to borrow as you develop your own. Of course, everyone can create their own holiday plan, and I would LOVE to hear your ideas. But here are 3 of mine that have never failed me. /12

First, a *physical* challenge is a great way to re-establish a feeling of control in your body. This was especially true for me in times where my movement was restricted because of war or gender violence. A new physical challenge puts me back in my body with strength. /13

Whatever your version of a physical challenge is, make it part of your holiday break. Do a winter hike. Run stairs like Rocky Balboa. Meditate in the park every morning. Join that outdoor Tai Chi class from a safe distance. Let’s go for it.

/14

Second, a *service* challenge can be awesome, especially during the holidays. There are a lot of opportunities these days. Packing meals, sewing masks, or with so many folks out of work, volunteering to review resumes or mentor folks on the job market. /15

Your “service challenge” doesn’t have to be a one-off. It could be about finding your niche for the whole winter. FWIW, everyone I know who has stayed happy during this pandemic has a service role, incl. folks who are working overtime & who been financially affected. /16

hird, my favourite of all is the *connection* challenge! When I first started working abroad, phone calls were $3 /min. I was extremely lonely & started writing letters. When I got one back, it was incredible… like that moment in the Wizard of Oz when it turns to color. /17

Those early days taught me that the harder we fight for a connection, the more powerful that connection becomes. The harder the obstacles, the greater the expression of love is. This is more beautiful than 1000 frivolous parties.

/18

Most of us already know this because we have done a million things through this pandemic to reach each other. We can now embrace this “connection challenge” with even more sparkle. We can send cards and care packages and do holiday drop-offs. /19

Our gestures do not have to be grand or fancy in order to be beautiful. The love we show will amplify on its own. The harder we fight for it, the stronger our love will be. This I can promise you.

/20

For me, this is the best part of these strange pandemic holidays. We will likely never see the world or ourselves from this perspective again. So, how can I be my most loving, generous, and creative self, right now, right here? /21

Let us rejoice in this imperfection! Even if we burn our cookies & only do ¼ of our challenges, it can be blessed and beautiful. Any good faith effort pays dividends. And so, in these most unusual times, may all your holidays be merry and bright!

Latest Threads Unrolled: