Fall is starting, and with that, the holiday season is soon here. This holiday season will certainly be different than years past. This may make people sad, despondent, anxious, angry or a myriad of other emotions. All of which is very understandable. We have different ways that we can deal with this. We can focus on what is different; therefore, this year is awful. Or, we can focus on what is different; therefore, this year is an opportunity to shake things up!

Focusing on loss and all that you cannot have this year will not help you. It will increase the feeling of loss. This time of COVID is very difficult for everyone. If we only focus on our losses, it is very easy to slide into a depression. If, however, you give yourself permission to think outside of the box and become creative, you may find new ways to enjoy the holidays.

The first thing I would suggest would be to ask those that you normally celebrate with how they would like to do things differently. Especially ask the children. They may have some very out of the box ideas. Do not throw these ideas away. There may be some wonderful possibilities here. Little people are very creative.

Be careful any time you get caught in the loop of “But we won’t have________.” Put the focus back on what you do have or what you can create. Focus on what is truly meaningful of the holidays. This may be he year that we can step away from materialism.

Perhaps you can give back to those who are suffering the most, those who have lost or who are about to lose everything. Perhaps you can celebrate an essential worker this season.  Be sure to appreciate all that you have.

I challenge each of you to be creative. Change thigs up. Make it different. You may find that you like what you create and that you are beginning some new traditions!