State of Play 3: Christmas Day 2020
After a challenging couple of months, it’s Christmas at last. On the happiest day of the year, how do I feel?
JOHN NICHOLS
DECEMBER 25, 2020
Premise: With Christmas Day landing on a Friday this year, and with my mental health being all over the place as of late (and hoping Christmas will bring some salvation), I thought I would use this opportunity to check-in with my future self. I will explain my current mental state (written 18/12/20), and ask future-me how I’m feeling. Christmas Day-me will then answer.
It’s Friday 18th December, 2020. Christmas is one week away, and I couldn’t be more relieved. My final work day before the Christmas break was yesterday, and the anticipation that I could finally take a break for a while has certainly helped to pull me through the last few weeks.
Now that I’ve reached the light-at-the-end-of-a-tunnel, I fully intend on taking it easy over the next two weeks. It’ll be nice to not be on my own for a while – even though I do like the freedom that living on my own provides.
There’s an awful lot on my mind at the moment; from work and other commitments to friends, family and an encroaching feeling of loneliness. I’m really banking on the coming weeks to help me unwind, and I hope that by Christmas Day, I’ll be able to say I’m in a happy state of mind.
It’s Christmas Day, 2020. I’ve spent the last 6 days at home with just my family – the first time I’ve done so in about 3 years – and it’s been wonderful.
The drink is flowing, the food is plentiful and the laughs are aplenty. I’d forgotten how much I missed being at home and just having some time to relax and collect my thoughts. Living on my own in Newcastle, I sometimes do forget how nice it is to have your family around, and although there’s many reasons I do like living alone, it’s lovely to have the family around at this time of year.
I’ve gone from relieved to relaxed in the space of a week. I feel refreshed, recharged and happy in myself. I will have to wait and see if this good mood carries over into when I’m back in Newcastle on my own, but for now I will certainly make the most of being home.
2020 has been a long, hard slog of a year. Here’s to a 2021 that, with any luck, will be kinder, more hopeful, and full of joy.
Published December 25, 2020. Cover photo by Kieran White on Unsplash.