The 2020 holidays are set to go down in history and not in a good way. For many of us, this will be unlike any we’ve ever spent – gone are the days of family gatherings and work parties (at least until a vaccine comes out) and new are the days of Facetime feasts and decking the halls with Halls Cough Drops.
This temporary normal feels isolating and strange, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the holidays have to be unbearably difficult. In fact, there are several ways to take the edge off….and they don’t all involve vodka. Consider the following:
Lower your expectations: Perhaps the first thing to do is to lower any expectations you have for regularity. Since 2020 has already set such a low bar, this should be pretty easy to do. The best thing about low expectations is that they don’t cause disappointment but they just might leave you pleasantly surprised.
Binge watch: Now that Tiger King is out of the way, it might seem like there is nothing good or terrible enough to tune into. But the likes of Prime, Netflix, and Hulu have not disappointed and continue to put out great shows. What’s more, there are plenty of hidden gems that you might have missed the first time around.
Here are some of the ones I most recommend:
- The Comey Rule (Showtime)
- The Undoing (HBO)
- Big Little Lies (HBO)
- Veep (HBO)
- Ratched (Netflix)
- You (Netflix)
- Dead to Me (Netflix)
- Ozark (Netflix)
- American Horror Story (Hulu)
- Good Girls (Hulu)
- The Last Dance (Netflix)
- Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer (Prime)
- The Outsider (HBO)
- Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
Know there is no shame in the pizza game: Does it feel weird for you to order pizza on Thanksgiving? It shouldn’t! There’s no shame in doing something that puts safety at the forefront. Plus, it’s convenient. Let’s not kid ourselves: Hunting and gathering a turkey takes a lot of effort. If people had access to Dominos back in the day, a feast centered around poultry would probably not be a thing. A stuffed crust pie with all the trimmings? Easier, faster, and less likely to result in salmonella.
Facetime your family: Sure, it’s not the same as being in person but Facetime is better than nothing (and it’s certainly more intimate than a plain ol’ phone call). No matter how far your loved ones are, they’re only a video conference away. If they don’t have an iPhone, you can always make use of Zoom. In fact, Zoom is lifting their 40-minute time rule on Turkey Day. This lets people all across the globe video chat free of charge.
Have a “you” day: When is the last time you had a day dedicated to you? Chances are, it’s been a while. So, take advantage of the holiday solitude and spend a day doing all the things you never get to do. Read a trashy novel. Watch football. Pamper yourself with a candle lit bath and a glass of wine. Sit in front of the
In the end, being alone on the holidays isn’t easy. But remember, you’re not truly alone. It’s 2020 and we’re all in this shit show together.
