Holidays.

Holidays in isolation, chronic illness, and disability are different. They are not only different from past holidays or expectations, but also from holiday to holiday pending strength and illness.

How can we prepare for the holidays? Here are a few tips that have helped me:

• Taper expectations.
  • Preparations. I tend more toward the “homemade gifts and made-from-scratch food.” Sadly, this is no longer possible. To steward strength, most things have to be purchased pre-made. I am learning to adjust my expectations as to how much I can reasonably make.
  • Events. Be careful not to schedule too many events together and to plan recovery time after each one.
  • Flexibility. Be careful not to set hopes too high for the various events through the holidays. You may need to be flexible due to your health or the health of your loved ones.
• Steward strength.
  • Plan ahead. If there are things that you can do ahead to prepare for the holiday, do them little by little. I have found that it helps to spread out the activities over a longer time-frame.
  • Ask for help. Gulp. This one is difficult. It is okay to ask for help. I think we all struggle with this one.
  • Rest as needed. Naps are a good thing. I have found that when I have the most to do and seem to be moving more and more slowly, I likely need a nap. After, I typically get more done than I would have without the nap.
• Prepare for Isolation and Disappointment. (Have a battle plan!)
  • Preparation. To say I struggled with the sudden changes of isolation for the first (ahem) two to three years is putting it mildly. Flu-season and winter was especially hard. The third year, I began to plan ahead for the coming increased isolation. Don’t get me wrong. It is still hard with some days harder than others, but it did help. I planned for the coming isolation by having more projects/books on hand to occupy my time (once we found some that I could still do), by learning to watch for the signs of a coming struggle and reaching out for help, by reaching out to others to encourage them and, most importantly, by seeking God in the darkness through Scripture, songs, and prayer.
  • Expecting the unexpected. Plans change frequently in our situations. It can be discouraging. I am still learning to hold all plans lightly. Expect that the unexpected may happen.
  • Focus on gratitude. This has been the biggest help for me in all the disappointment. (With my immune system, any illness or exposure to illness would mean plans are adjusted.) It has made me learn to be so much more grateful for seemingly little blessings or time with family/friends.

These may seem like common sense things to you. They are taking me awhile to learn. I would love to hear what things have helped you. What tips would you add?