Pretoria Dec 2021 / Jan 2022

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Christmas to-do list if you’re spending time with family:
• Instead of buying presents, rather be present. This is the time to be with loved
ones. Switch off the cellphone and make time for those around you. Don’t let
couch and TV time supersede family time.
• Instead of wrapping gifts, rather wrap your family members in a hug. Socks
keep your feet warm, but love warms the soul.
• Instead of sending gifts, rather send love. Include friends and family that
are alone this season – extend the table, don’t build walls.
• Instead of shopping for food, rather donate food. Buy a couple of cans or
bags of dog or cat food and drop it off at a local animal shelter. Or cook a
meal for a neighbour that might be working or drop off something fresh at
a shelter, instead of preparing heaps of food that will go to waste.
• Instead of watching Christmas lights, rather be the light. Be extra kind and
sensitive to those around you and those you encounter. The Christmas
season is a dreary time for many. Many lost loved ones this year and many
have no one, which lends to a very lonely, sad and emotionally taxing
time of the year. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Pick your battles and touch
everyone with your light.
How to survive the festive
season if you are alone:
You might be alone during the Christmas
period for different reasons, such as the
death of a loved one, living far from
relatives, or because of social isolation.
If you have social anxiety disorder (SAD)
and don’t have close relationships with
family or friends, loneliness at Christmas
could be particularly hard.
• Go out and do something productive.
Rather than spend the day at home
alone, find something that you can do
that fits with your mindset and mental
state. For example, if you feel full of
energy, and the weather is decent, go
for a long run. If you feel social, consider
attending a church service to be in the
presence of others.
• Perhaps you are alone this year because
you turned down invitations. Know that
it’s OK to call those people back and
say, “I am free”. This is often a problem
for those with social anxiety — you turn
down invitations only to regret it and
feel lonely afterwards.
• Get involved in volunteering. Consider
offering to help serve dinner at a soup
kitchen, bring gifts to a children’s hospital,
or visit lonely residents at a nursing home.
• You are not the only one alone during
the holidays. Plan an “Orphan Christmas”
for those who have no one to spend the
holiday with or join a group of people in
similar circumstances.
• If you enjoy your work, and you have the
option to work during Christmas, spend
the day being productive. This is a smart
choice if your job involves interacting
with co-workers or customers; being at
work may help you to feel less lonely. If
you don’t have to work, work around your
home or on a project that you’ve put off.
• Host an online Christmas get-together
by setting up a Skype chatroom or
Facebook group. People can drop in and
out as they please, and you don’t have
to cook, clean, or even get off the couch.
You’ll also be keeping yourself and your
loved ones safe as you socialise virtually.
• Plan a day for yourself. Buy something
online to treat yourself, cook your
favourite food, or plan a movie marathon.
Or cut through the clichés and do
something offbeat like learning a new
language or starting work on the book
that’s always been in your head.
Text: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG. • Photographer: WILLEM BOTHA.
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get It Magazine 09