Santa Us

All the Santas are staying home this year, like the rest of us.

I started to write this post as a bit of a gift guide for the hard to buy types (lighting professionals or design folk) in your life. Basically, just making a list of things I would like to see on Christmas morning. But that felt both unrealistic and selfish.  Unrealistic, as I (like many of you) will be spending the holidays alone.  Selfish because this has been a year of extreme loss and stress. And so, I have decided to forgo Christmas altogether and instead celebrate the end of 2020.  Will there be a bit of a gift guide – yes, of course. But it might look a bit different.

There has been a focus on being kind to others this year.  I couldn’t be more pleased that this has happened.  Though, there has been something missing. We have forgotten to be extra kind to ourselves.  And so I would like to suggest some ways where we can celebrate ourselves and the extraordinary year that we have lived through.

Some activities we can do to be kind to ourselves.

Commit to exploring the trails and outdoor spaces in and around the city.  Canada is rich in nature and space. We owe it to ourselves to see as much of it as we can. Being with nature is one of the greatest things we can do for our mental health. And next to COVID preparation, this is an important priority in our lives.

Let go of the expectation that 2021 is going to be any less weird than 2020.  Weird is good. Weird is our future. We don’t want to go back to what we had before that caused our present.  Let’s stop talking about the new normal.  Weird is what we want.

We can start each day slowly and with intention. Take a few extra moments to think about what you would like to accomplish each day while still in bed. And then start the morning.

Explore a new hobby.  I plan to teach myself how to cook for larger gatherings, so when we can celebrate together, I will be prepared to host a feast.  And I think I am going to try to learn how to draw. Not being able to draw anything other than stick figures makes me feel like I am missing out on my best life.

Ask for help. It is difficult to navigate these times alone. Help is available. And it’s non-judgemental, at that.

Supporting local businesses and non-profits in different ways.  We can’t always financially support our communities in ways that we would like – but reaching out to your favourite organizations and them how you can help support them may surprise you.  There are lots of ways that you can show support besides writing a cheque or volunteering a few hours (when volunteer hours are in short supply).

We need to invest in ourselves this year. Invest in your continuing education or certification, work on improving your health, spend an afternoon (or a whole day) at the spa, improve your housing situation – upgrade/downgrade/make improvements/ buy new art to improve your walls.

But do not feel guilty if you are going to self give this year. This area has been a bit of a struggle for me. But I am getting past this hangup.

And so, I present to you:

A bit of a wish list that I would like to gift myself when I deserve them.

•  The Hoptimist from Gustav Ehrenreich would be a comfort to have on my desk right now. I am feeling a bit sad and fatigued while writing this post. If this little creature could launch Denmark’s Happy movement, it should be able to put a smile on my face.
• What Can A Body Do? By Sara Hendren.  The book allows us to rethink the things and settings in which we live. Reading this book will help us understand the challenges that others face and what we can do to make spaces accessible.
• For those of us who want a well-constructed drink – this book is available (soonish – it’s currently out of stock).  If it only came with Stanley Tucci, I would be the happiest girl alive.
• I am a bit plant-obsessed and a not quite yet wannabe foodie. I bet talking to these guys while they are photosynthesizing will make them even more delicious.
• And maybe a new pair of socks. I still have the best sock collection of all the LSW staffers, though.

However you are celebrating the upcoming holidays, please be as kind to yourself as those around you.

Photo by Markus Spiske from Pexels