I know this year has looked different for everybody and the tease of the holiday season is brightening up moods left and right. I've found this year a bit more bearable now that Christmas music is on the radio and all things merry fills Targets near and far. Holiday magic warms my soul every year, and I know how much this season means for a lot of people—but many, like my own, are not able to see their families this year. However, I won't let that stop me from having a joyful holiday season because it's what you make of it! There's still much love to go around.
This year, I wasn't going to let the worst of the pandemic ruin holiday cheer. I think we need it more than ever, so here are some easy ways you can uplift Christmas spirit—or any spirit—for that matter.
Decorating Early...
Checking in on Loved Ones...
Sending Holiday Cards...
Something else that makes my heart so full is the season of giving. Especially sending holiday cards. As a college student, I get a lot of amazement from people who are surprised that I would even go to the extent of writing cards for people, but I believe in the sentiment—even if I don't receive one back. I get a lot of joy from writing these personalized letters to people who made my year, my day, or my life! Rather than an email or a quick text, I want people to know that I care and am grateful for all of the joy they bring me. Perhaps you could start sending out cards to people, too. Why not fill someone else's day with some kind words? You don't have to send them out to the whole town, but start with your inner circle first or those who have shown kindness to you within the last few months!
“To be content doesn’t mean you don’t desire more, it means you’re thankful for what you have and patient for what’s to come.” -Tony Gaskins
There's always this outside pressure of knowing what you need to do, where you need to be, and making sure that everything is in place and planned. While this routine is something I know far too well, it controls us and our everyday lives. But lately, I've come to find solace in knowing that there are little positives I can be thankful for. Here are the things that make me content:
I've also been making pumpkin chai tea lattes at home, which have been quite the treat in the morning and a reward for getting through work early and powering through the day. When I'm tutoring, I'll have my iced chai and be ready to meet with new writers and students at DePaul, so it's always a great start to my day when I get to meet with people virtually face to face.
Since gyms are closed, I haven't been extremely motivated to do work outs, but I have been getting into running more on the treadmill and allot myself some time in the afternoons to running and getting my heart rate up for at least a mile a day. It's been nice not feeling the pressure of having to go to a studio and work out, but I've also felt just more refreshed and can clear my mind a bit when I'm running.
When I'm feeling like my routine is monotonous and I'm just waking up to do the same thing every day, log into Zoom, tutor, do school work, walk the dog, and so on, I try to make my day different and find the little things that bring me joy. Being content doesn't have to be a mystery, and you certainly don't have to go searching for a better path or situation at the moment. Change your perspective and outlook by accepting the fact that things might be unknown right now. Finding positive ways to cope is all we have at the moment and being patient for better things to come. How do you find ways to be more content?
This can be probably one of the hardest steps to finding a good book and to start liking to read again. Books we read in school were forced upon us with a strict list of classics and not much room to explore multiple genres beyond Charles Dickens or F. Scott Fitzgerald. Walking into a library alone can seem intimidating and now that we can't go into libraries as we used to at our own leisure, finding books now can seem even more tedious.
01. Dealing With Flying Anxiety | June 2015
02. My 20 Pose Sun Salutation | May 2016
03. A Northern Getaway | September 2017
04. Why You Need to Love Yourself First | December 2018
05. What Happens in Europe Stays in Europe | July 2019
Lately I have revisited Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, a great way to refresh and reorganize your spaces during this time. I have also been following Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine bookclub, I am currently reading Conviction by Denise Mina. It's a great murder mystery that takes place on a yacht in France and will have you turning the pages!
I have been trying to stay active as much as possible. Whether it be walking the dog, running on the treadmill, or doing some Corepower: Yoga On Demand. There have been many times where I felt unmotivated to exercise, so I just wouldn't. I think it's good to know when you need balance and not feel pressured to workout when you're at home. Corepower also offers some nice meditation videos and I know there are many free ones on YouTube, as well.
Gardening has also been something new I tried—haven't completely failed—but, it has definitely tested me and I think that's because I was so eager to start planting a ton of plants that I never realized that Chicago still becomes winter late at night in the spring. So, all I have to say is that my cilantro is doing great, but my sunflowers will have to make a dire comeback.
Social Icons