In a time of global and political unrest, this holiday season has been filled with more anxiety and stress than usual, but every day I find a reason to be grateful and am reminded of the joys and magic of life. And it's in those ordinary moments, that are often overlooked, that I find that I can feel the embrace of the true spirit of the holiday season.
Holiday season looks different for everyone – whether you’re spending the holidays away from home for the first time, experiencing grief and loss, trying to provide for your family, or are returning home for the first time after being away.
Nonetheless, everyone has those little moments throughout the day where they can stand to be more grateful and appreciative. Though sometimes it is hard to recognize those moments and how to validate and uplift. And sometimes, it feels as if those moments don’t exist, especially as the holiday season is not always cheerful and filled with glee, but there are ways in which you can facilitate and be a catalyst for those magical moments.
Here are a few ways to create those moments that will make all the difference:
- Handwritten letters: If you’ve ever received a handwritten card, then you understand the joy and sentimentality of something so simple. By taking time to write letters to your loved ones, you can recreate that feeling you get from receiving a handwritten note tenfold by reciprocating that generosity.
- Decorating or rearranging: The space we inhabit influences us more than we realize. If you’ve got the means, visit your local Dollar Tree or affordable retailer to purchase some inexpensive holiday decor to liven up your space. If this isn’t financially feasible or you simply don’t enjoy decorating, try rearranging your space. Reordering the furniture in your living area may not seem like much, but that change in interaction can shift your perception and make a difference in the way you feel.
- Baking or cooking: Even if you’re by yourself, the therapeutic nature of culinary arts can be healing, and by the end of the process, you’ll have a delectable treat to enjoy. If cooking is something you already enjoy, try a new recipe. And if you find yourself with an abundance of desserts or leftovers, share with a friend or neighbor.
- Savor the simple moments: Too often, we can get into the hustle and bustle of the season and forget to appreciate the little things. Whether it’s having a cup of hot cocoa, finishing a difficult crossword, looking up at the stars at night, or watching the leaves fall from the trees, these are the moments that are simple but deserve to be savored.
- Start a scrapbook: For some people, capturing moments of joy is just as important as experiencing or creating those moments. However, if you want to prioritize capturing moments, you should also consider prioritizing where those captured moments end up. A million photos of your family or Christmas tree doesn’t serve much purpose taking up space in your camera roll. Create a scrapbook to commemorate those moments – and even have your loved ones contribute to it. If that doesn’t sound appealing, try digital scrapbooking. While there are pros and cons to social media, posting memories on platforms, like Facebook, that give you yearly memory reminders is a way to give those photos and videos a greater purpose.
- Watch a movie: As mundane as this sounds, it can really boost your spirits. Whether you watch a cheesy, Hallmark movie from the comfort of your couch or make a trip to the movie theater to see a re-released classic, watching movies has an innate way of stirring emotions within us – for better or for worse – just be intentional about the film’s genre. I may be biased, but I recommend Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé; while it’s pretty pricey and only available in theaters, it was worth every minute and every penny. It’s in theaters for the rest of the year, so if you’re looking for a way to spend that holiday bonus, you can never go wrong with Queen Bey.
However you choose to find and create joy this holiday season, make sure that you do. As cliché as it sounds, for every reason not to celebrate and rejoice, there’s a million more reasons why you should. Don’t let little moments fall into the cracks of obscurity because those moments will make all the difference, and if you can’t seem to find those moments, create them.
Maleigh Crespo is a junior English writing major, journalism minor on the education track at Loyola University New Orleans. She has been writing for as long as she can remember and couldn't see herself doing anything else. When she’s not writing, she can be found blasting Taylor Swift, online shopping, or feeding the squirrels in Audubon Park. You can reach her at macrespo@my.loyno.edu.