You Deserve a Merry Little (Covid Free) Christmas!
- bquantock
- Dec 20, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 21, 2023
For those who celebrate and even for those who don't, December can be a complicated month to navigate when we're sharing air with a level 3 biohazard. In fact, things can get out of hand pretty fast! There are parties for work, parties for friends, parties for relatives, parties for the other relatives and all the other parties in between. If you, like me, are avoiding covid at all costs, 'tis the season of boundary setting and well fitting masks. Because there's much eating and drinking involved on and around the day, it's very hard to be the sole masker, especially at an indoor event. Family may respect your choices or be downright hostile. The BIG thing to remember is.... YOU get to choose your Christmas! Here's a short guide to a No Covid Christmas:
Set clear Boundaries and Uphold Them. If you DO NOT feel comfortable at a gathering, you DO NOT have to attend. I don't care if you've never missed a season of Uncle Monty's mince pies and Aunt Clara's pavlova, you get to decide if it's worth your physical and mental health to attend. I like to look at it as a Ratio of Respect. If 70 percent of your family are respectful of your boundaries, you may feel good to go. If that drops to 30 percent, it may feel less safe. You can decide on the ration you're willing to accept and base your thinking around that.
The Set-up. No, not the 1949 Robert Wise film, I mean what will the gathering look like physically. Will there be outdoor space to eat and drink? Will there be extended indoor time with no ventilation? Will there be a room where you can set up air purifiers? Would these be welcomed? SO many questions but it's the same as any other risk assessment. If it doesn't fit your safety standards, you are well within your rights to give it a miss.
Planning Isn't Everything. Given the current covid wave and the amount of illness seemingly everywhere (and a smidge more than seemingly), it might work in your favour to be flexible up to and even on the day itself. If people are sick, you have a right to stay home. If people in your home are sick, you have a right to retire to your room. You can stash a lot of chocolate in said room starting now!
Christmas at Home. If you decide to miss the gathering this year (trust your gut, you've got this), ask yourself what YOU would actually like out of the day. What does an ideal day look like for you? Would you like to have a picnic? Do you enjoy the view from a particular beach? Would you like to stay inside or outside? Would you like to watch Ted Lasso from start to finish? How much cake can you eat before starting on the shortbread? All VERY important, some might say vital, questions! The point is, this is a HARD time of year for many covid safe people. You may very well feel guilt and grief for the changes you've seen in others and the world this year. That's not your fault, you are amazing and deserve a break (and A LOT of goodies!) Take a look at that guilt, ask yourself why you feel the need to explain yourself to others.
Lastly, realise you've actually made it through another year of a global pandemic! This has been, most would say, the hardest year. We have likely watched friends and family go 'back to normal.' We've likely been told to 'live our lives.' I see a lot of covid safe people doing just that: living your lives as best you can so you can see many more Christmases, holidays, the new season of True Detective starring JODIE FOSTER, more lamingtons, those birds you enjoy watching and much, much more. You are investing in your future by staying safe now. And buy yourself a present. You've more than earned it.
Thank you from the bottom of my gingerbread covered soul for keeping us all that little bit safer. I hope 2024 is kinder to us all. Merry Christmas if you celebrate and cake regardless!
Below is a list of things you can do to give yourself a break:
Holidays are not all about ONE day. You can do nice things for yourself whenever you've the time and resources. Go forth and:
Watch comedy and crime. The former cheers and warms the soul, the latter engages the little grey cells as Poirot would say and thus provides a jolly good distraction.
If unwell, don't put any further pressure on yourself. Your best option might well be a darkened room with a cold cloth and a good deal of quiet. There will be other days. If you can handle audiobooks, they can be soothing.
Do your hair in a style from The Brady Bunch or Barbie Movies. Impossible you say!? I double dare you...
Play a favourite video game from childhood or a new one you've been saving. Video games are excellent for total immersion and with contemporary accessibility features, there are more options for gamers of all abilities.
Read an old favourite or pull out an undiscovered potential page turner. Fiction or non-fiction, fantasy or sci-fi, most libraries deliver and have audiobooks and digital copies. Bless our libraries!
Eat your favourite foods, drink your favourite beverages. If you anjoy cooking and baking, get stuck into that. Building a gingerbread house is hours of entertainment.
Put on a favourite podcast while doing the aforementioned kitchen stuffs or going for a walk. I recommend the following gems:
Maintenance Phase
You're Wrong About
If Books Could Kill
Hard Feelings with Jennette McCurdy
Sizzletown (best comedy)
Only Wrong Answers
Dear Nelly
It's Okay That You're Not Okay
I Weigh with Jameela Jamil
Scamfluencers
Have a look at the advocacy work done since 2020 and know there are people the world over fighting to keep masks and clean air in public places. You are absolutely not alone.
Stay off the news cycle unless you require updates. Don't further stress yourself, wait until you've had a break to jump back into your advocacy (which is very much appreciated).
If you are in crisis, please follow this link and contact the following organisations (Australia only):
Now get some rest and relaxation you fabulous lot!
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