2020 is different. This year has been challenging for all of us. 2020 has demanded a lot from us, more or less. The same is true now for Christmas, for most of us a family holiday where we are close, reuniting with our families and friends. This year, one thing is especially demanding: social distancing.
Whether single, couples, single parents, families, we all probably asked ourselves the question of how best to spend this Christmas so as not to infect anyone with the virus. And in many cases, this leads to some of us actually being separated from family or even all alone at Christmas.
What was previously taken for granted has been turned on its head thanks to the pandemic. But even those of us who have to spend Christmas alone or separated from family abroad can do something to avoid feeling lonely (or at least to reduce this feeling to a bearable level).
Enjoy your free time
If you have to spend Christmas alone, you can also specifically decide to just do something good for yourself. This can be anything from bingewatching on Netflix (without a guilty conscience) to pampering programs including face masks (personally, I would be quite happy to see proof photos of the men on our team). Or, in the spirit of #supportyourlocalbusiness, you can order your own personal feast from your favorite restaurant. The best part is, you don’t even have to dress up to feast – after all, no one will see your baggy sweatpants and your belly will be quite thankful.
Stay in touch
Even if you’re alone for Christmas, it doesn’t have to mean you’re lonely. For most of us in 2020, messengers, video calls or phone calls are the best alternative to stay in touch despite social distancing. Why not do the same at Christmas? Make video calls with your family back home, talk on the phone with friends, or arrange a virtual game night. In addition to platforms like Kahoot, there are also web implementations of board games like Codenames: https://codenames.game/.
Contact your club
The Cologne Celtics are a colorful team with members from many different countries. For many of us, unfortunately, there is no chance to go home to celebrate with the family this year. Therefore, if you feel a little lost, you can and should always contact us! We all have an open ear for you and help where we can. For example, you can get in touch in our WhatsApp group or write to us personally. We are there. Always.
Turn to the telephone counselling service
If you live in Germany, you can always turn to the telephone counselling service „Telefonseelsorge“ if you are worried. The trained employees are there for people around the clock and help in difficult situations. The conversation (whether by phone call, e-mail or chat) always remains anonymous. In Germany, you can reach the Telefonseelsorge free of charge at 0800/1110111 or 0800/1110222. You can find further contact options at www.telefonseelsorge.de.
The TelefonSeelsorge in Germany offers calls in German only. If you would like to talk on the phone in your native language, you can find help at the following places: Telefonseelsorge/International Helplines.
And last but not least, always remember: You are not alone and 2020 will pass. The outlook for the new year is quite hopeful after all, thanks to vaccines – things can only get better!
Frohe Weihnachten, Merry Christmas, Nollaig Shona Duit, vrolijk kerstfeest, God Jul!, Joyeux Noël, Καλά Χριστούγεννα, Feliz Natal, 圣诞节快乐, Hyvää joulua….
Are your thoughts circling around taking your own life? Try talking to others about it. There are a lot of offers to talk (also anonymously) about supposedly hopeless situations. The most important contacts in Germany are the telephone counseling service (0800/1110111 and 0800/1110222) and the Muslim counseling service (030/443509821, 24 hours). International helplines can be found here: International Helplines.
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