As we get used to the “new normal”, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. It is important to stay positive by focusing on what you can do, getting excited about them and finding ways to turn fun, familiar activities into newer fun activities.
The Covid-19 pandemic comes with lots of change to our daily lives. It has changed the way we celebrated Mother’s Day, Easter, Canada Day, and others. There were fewer fireworks, places of worship were closed and extended family gatherings were banned. We missed all the traditional markers of Spring and Summer around the globe.
This festive season this also means some of the things we normally did during this time of year may have been cancelled or postponed. It is easy to think about the things we cannot do right now. But this does not mean we cannot still celebrate and do some of the things we always have together!
A lot of people describe this time of the year to be the favourite time of the year, and why not? It is a time when a lot of people get to go home and visit their families, eat festive food and sweets, enjoy their time with their loved ones, and celebrate the small things. Even as we do that every year, health remains top priority, and we are always ensuring that our friends and families are safe and healthy during these times. With the pandemic there is more emphasis on health and safety of our loved ones.
We are currently practising physical distancing to help slow the spread of the virus. We are looking forward to when we can stop the physical distancing. However, this pandemic has shown how creative we can be to still make occasions fun.
It is comforting to know there are still things you can do to acknowledge the meaning behind the occasions that are important to you. There are still some ways we can celebrate special events while physical distancing during the virus.
* We can decorate our social media profile with a design by using a rainbow filter or something else.
* We can also host/ join a virtual gathering by a video chat to observe the event with friends and family.
* We could create and share a background, that makes us feel as if we are at the event, like a restaurant, school gym, the outdoors or another space.
* A creative way could be found to spread awareness of the event by displaying it where others can find it.
* Some other ways of doing it can be by singing a song, writing a poem, creating art, making a poster, posting a video, or telling a story.
* We could start an online fundraiser for a person or cause we are passionate about. We can send a virtual message or card to let others know we are thinking of them.
* We can set aside time to honour the event with others in our living space by making a special meal, praying or taking a walk in nature.
* We can do the same things we would do if we were attending the event in person by dancing, or whatever.
- We can cook, bake and eat together
- We can drive around and look at holiday decorations around the city
* We can watch a movie, listen to music, do a craft, read a book or view photography that reminds us of what we are celebrating.
As we get used to the “new normal”, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. It is important to stay positive by focusing on what you can do, getting excited about them and finding ways to turn fun, familiar activities into newer fun activities.
