It’s time…
Sometimes the ways to handle difficult periods in our lives conflict with each other. Connecting with others, for example, can and does build resilience AND it can feel like one more thing on the overwhelming “to do” list, which is not helpful.
How does one dial back (reduce demands) AND build social connections? I have been pondering that question in the context of the 2021 Secret Santa/Huh-Hush Hanukkah/Covert Kwanza/Shrouded Solstice.
How can we have a community-building activity and not have it feel like a burden?
For some, we can’t and that is okay — this is not a mandatory thing. You do you.
For those with some available Little Soldiers (aka emotional bandwidth), let’s try something different. Instead of selecting a gift that matches the recipient, let’s send a small something that reflects the sender.
Maybe, for example, I could send a Montana coffee mug to my person, or a gift card to Starbucks. I could send a deck of cards and explain how much it has helped me to play Zoom cards with my family three times a week since the pandemic started.
Doing a Secret Santa/Huh-Hush Hanukkah/Covert Kwanza/Shrouded Solstice in this way will direct our thoughts to the many things we value and have gratitude for, and keeping all that in mind is important to mental health and emotional well-being. It will also make it easier to select a small something to send — you know what you love, after all — and that will reduce burden (hopefully).
I have this image of people reaching out with a small gift that says, “this is me” and just like that a connection is created.
Let’s make more.
To join the 2021 Secret Santa/Huh-Hush Hanukkah/Covert Kwanza/Shrouded Solstice, just send me an email (sontag.bowman@gmail.com) and include your name and address.
You can get started before you get your assigned person — just ponder all the things that spark joy for you, and feel gratitude in your heart for all of it. Then find a small gift that represents one of those things. When you get your person, you will be all set to send it off.
Please — consider yourself invited to this little joy sparking, gratitude inspiring, community building activity.