You Don’t Need a Holiday
Let’s stop waiting for federally recognized days off to celebrate the people we love — or to take care of ourselves
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we need to grab happiness wherever we can find it — which is why the cancellation of holiday celebrations in the face of the worsening pandemic has felt especially hard to take. It’s a cruel irony that we’re losing an opportunity for connection, relaxation, and joy right when we most need one.
But here’s what I’ve been reminding my therapy clients: We aren’t. Or at least, we don’t have to. There’s no reason to let the calendar dictate how and when we take care of each other. And there’s a lot we miss out on when we do.
A more normal holiday season enforces a lot of required socializing, from family get-togethers to office parties. We might gripe about these sometimes-awkward interactions, but this year, many of us would be grateful for the chance to gossip over eggnog with a be-tinseled co-worker. Why not find your own time and place to do that?
It’s easier said than done of course. Many of my clients have expressed hesitation to reach out to people in these chaotic times. The fear of being burdensome is very real, and the less face-to-face contact you have with people, the more your…
