Overcoming the misery COVID-19 carries with itself like a dark cloud starts with taking care of yourself first.

There is a hole in our hearts that cannot heal. A seat at a dinner table no one else can fill. A world that will never be the same. The evil monstrosity that is COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the world, and it looks like it’s digging in its heels for the winter. We have lost so much this year that losing a holiday season feels like the cherry on top of a sh*t-sundae.

The winter and holiday season are usually the light at the end of a tunnel (or dark fall) for many people. Society has built itself to withstand winters, to allow us to continue to be social beings; we have adapted to winter by bringing our families together. The despair and loneliness felt during the first COVID-19 lockdown will magnify itself with longer days, and a dreary gray winter. Don’t lose hope yet; communities before us withstood winter with lesser luxuries than us. Tumblr user awed-frog writes:

“It’s like the long winters of the past, when the granaries would slowly empty and people started to fear spring would never come again: during the dark days, you do things, you repair your tools. You enjoy each other’s company. You sing old songs and write new ones. You make ropes and nets and weave blankets and do anything you don’t have time for in the summer. And it’s hard to do it and hard to stay hopeful, but that way, when spring comes—and spring does come, spring will come—you can start working in the fields with a brand-new plow and good boots and a head full of songs.”

Start small: Make a List

Not a plan, a list. In times of despair, following through on plans made months earlier may feel like impending doom. Instead of inviting unnecessary worry, take baby steps. None of us have a strategic game plan laid out for the next six months of darkness. Earlier this year, I looked back at how I coped with my seasonal affective disorder during previous winters and figured out what works best for me. I spent the past summer trying out these different self-care activities and recorded how they made me feel. When the darker winter days roll around, I’ll be able to consult my small list of things that make me feel happy.

So, make a list. Start small, write all the things that make you happy. If it’s the smell of spring you’re looking for, Martha Stewart has some great (all natural!!!) ideas. Miss carnival food? Check out these amazing copycat recipes you can make in an air-fryer! There are many ideas, tips and tricks to enjoy your favourite scents, foods, and activities healthily while indoors; many of them are budget friendly. Taking care of yourself need not cost a fortune, nor should it damage your health.

Re-Organize Yourself

I have three kitchen cupboards, a bedroom drawer and an enormous room in my basement full of junk. I’ve been harping on myself since March to get started on re-organizing my house, but I just haven’t been able to get the job done; hosting an Indian wedding during COVID-19 only added to the crap-pile. We all have a cupboard, or two, full of stuff that we’ve been waiting to find the time to tackle. Well, the time is now, or during that inevitable January blizzard. Not only will you be finally taking this behemoth of a task off of your to-do list, you will also feel immensely better. No longer will you avoid opening that drawer or walking into that closet. The nooks and crannies of your house will no longer scare you, and that itself is reason enough to get the job done.

Be Kind to Yourself

The pandemic took our old way of living from us. Whether it was for better or worse is yet to be determined as some lifestyles were harmful not only to ourselves but also to the environment. We were all relieved to find out that the lockdown eased air pollution levels in China; we celebrated when Elephant Camps in Thailand closed down. Yet, we forgot to extend that empathy to ourselves. We are being given a much-needed break. We are being given the opportunity to pause and reflect. Even if you are still working from home or providing an essential service, you also have the opportunity to pause and reflect. Look at what causes you stress and worry. See what you can change and what is beyond you. Make peace with that which is beyond your control. Be kind to your body and your mind, it is your only companion and you need it work well so you can stay focused on living a full life.

originally published: December 18, 2020 on previous portfolio site.