I think that this year people will have to be more inventive create a new holiday norm for the Covid times

I think for me I see it as everyone is in this boat so making an extra effort even when you don't feel like it might help Rose

I'm not sure if you're writing about Covid or holidays in general.... I think these things help me at least with both

I will be really focusing on all that I have to be grateful for and that I have really had a lifetime of so much good fortune

I hear you sweetie.... Big hug.... Maybe start to make a daily gratitude list of 5 things to be grateful for each day

!.... I feel really grateful to be Canadian during these times
2... I am so thankful for my DS family and suppoort
3.... I am glad that you're able to get into survival mode when things are rough
4...I am thankful for my wee pooch Rascal
5.. I live in a comfortable warm home and it feels good

Big hug of comfort and support.....xo

Hi Rose, everything is a little more difficult with COVID isn’t it? I have most of my holiday shopping done because I know that it will be almost impossible to get things on time after Thanksgiving.. normally I would go to the post office and mail off packages. This year I set up an account for home pick-up.

There is more effort to get through holidays if they were not already stressful stressful enough.

Like SunCloud suggests, maybe write a gratitude journal and what you are thankful for.

I’m trying to have positive thoughts, let’s try to get through the holiday stress together by supporting each other ok?

Oh, it's a tougher-than-usual year, no doubt, but... Maybe finding a *new* tradition to start will help. That's what we're going to do. And while we're busy deciding on what that is ---- how we decorate the tree, or what to do about the holiday meals, etc. ---- we're not feeling so utterly "lost" with all this other life stuff. HUGS of support and healing.

I'm a PTSD case from 3 categories of trauma: combat, domestic violence, and assault by a pedophile. Each is triggered differently. For example, Veteran's Day this past week triggered the combat trauma. Family holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas trigger the domestic violence trauma in more. The pressure of trying to be a Normal Rockwell picture perfect family at Christmas backfired and I usually got a punch to the face from my dad for Christmas instead, and I'm not kidding.

So I don't visit family for family holidays any more, I make other plans. I also make a gratitude list like SunCloud suggests above here so that I don't fall into lonely self pity. One of my other plans in years past was taking a solo trip by train to the National Cathedral in Washington, DC just to see their Christmas service. It was spectacular. Another time I went alone by train to New York City and was at Times Square when the ball dropped at midnight for New Years.

It sucks for me to be alone on the holidays like that, but being solo had its upside in that I got to go do these memorable things on the holidays instead.

Hi Rose,
I think it’s going to be a different celebration this year. Yearly, my church is looking forward to gathering as a big family to celebrate holidays but my Pastor just announced that we will not have Thanksgiving and Christmas service because of social distance. We’re sad when we hear it but his decision is for the safety of everyone in the church.

I pray that this pandemic will soon be over and all of us will remain strong. Keep sharing, we are here for each other. God bless.

Wow, thanks. Some great tips and I can try. I like the gratitude list. I don't and can't travel due to health and nothing to do with Covid. If it was not for Covid at Thanksgiving I would have Company. One of my case Manager is aware and this week visiting me to celebrate early. Christmas I am normally alone. So, I am grateful for all responses and suggestions.

I also like the idea of making a new tradition. Me too Eli praying that this pandemic will end. Overall, I am grateful for this Group and support. Now to brainstorm more. Thanks everyone for your Support