Soon, many of us will say goodbye to our lunch tables and forum friends as we finish exams and transition into winter break. As we spend time in many different ways this winter break, it is important to remember that joy and cheer is not everyone’s experience.
Surrounded by loud voices and opinionated family members, the holidays can leave many in search for a quiet corner or a locked door to escape too. So quickly we can become caught up in our own plans that it can be easy to overlook those who might need a little extra love.
Be conscious of how your holidays may look different from those around you. Your lab partner may be traveling to Cancun and enjoying shopping sprees while teammates visit grandparents for the last time or making homemade gifts.
Holidays never truly look like the movies, matching pajamas and comical dysfunction is not the reality of most families anywhere. Have the empathy to understand that families aren’t one-size-fits-all, especially during the holidays.
The whirl and buzz of busy last-minute shopping and arguments across extended tables can easily suck us into our own world. Regardless of awkward questions from relatives and end-of-year financial stress, holidays are a chaotic time of year for all.
As teenagers, we don’t always have much control in how the holidays look. As individuals, however, we have the power to determine how we want the holidays to feel. The most valuable present anyone can give is to be present. You cannot put a price on how you make somebody feel, but the impact can be priceless.
If your holidays aren’t magical now, know that things will change. As you grow, you have the power to redefine what family looks like and how you choose to celebrate. For now, lean on each other and remember that you are not alone.
There is beauty in the differences in ways we celebrate and express love for the people we care about. When you pay attention to these differences, it becomes clear that the central idea of any holiday or celebration during this season is rooted in a foundation of love and kindness. The magic of the season is not monetary, instead it is a result of meaningful acts of love.
Nobody will ever be able to keep up with the Jones’. As you reflect and appreciate how the holidays may look or feel for you, be aware that your spirit may be abundant, so be generous in sharing with those who might need a bit more. Things as simple as a phone call after dinner or coffee shop meetup in the morning can help friends feel a little less lost and alone during our time apart. Even a text message or short conversation can be a warming way to reach out to those who might have a case of the ‘Winter Blues’.
No matter how your winter break is spent, remember that the emphasis and expectations for those two weeks is overwhelmingly dramatized. When winter break ends, lights are taken down, leftovers run out and everything will become cold and gray again. For the sake of kindness and compassion, check-in with your friends and take care of those you love, because sometimes it’s hard to remember you’re not alone during the holidays.
