The month of November has come, and the holiday season is beginning to make the world look more festive. A mad frenzy of sales, bright decorations, and Christmas cheer will start to fill towns, signaling the end of another year. It is usually around this time I begin to reflect on the course of my year. What have I achieved so far? Am I on track for my personal and professional goals? Am I a better version of myself than one year ago? These questions always fill my mind around this time, but I have a feeling it might be hard to evaluate the path my life is taking during the pandemic, especially when so much has changed. Even a year ago, I had quite ambitious plans for college, but like most students my age, many of our plans have been either put on hold or canceled. Thus, I fear that the merry Christmas season that I normally look forward to just won’t be the same this year.
Normally, I look forward to the Christmas season. To me it’s often a mood rejuvenator that is like a little pat on the back for all the hard work I did throughout the year. The Christmas decorations, lights, and trees accompany the chilly weather of November and December here in Los Angeles to make our city look more festive. The warmness of our home heater instills a sense of safety and complacency in me. Yet, my favorite part of the season has changed so much due to the pandemic: gatherings. End-of-the-year gatherings are normally joyous, as I eat, play, and laugh with friends and family to celebrate the passing of another year. However, it will be difficult to do so this coming holiday season. At best, these gatherings would have to be held through Zoom, and most will not occur at all. It just won’t be the same.
I’m sure many of us look back at the life we took for granted before the pandemic and aspire to go back to normalcy. The holiday season is definitely one of the reasons why I want to go back to a normal life, as it does not feel the same with social distancing. Because of the social distancing put in place due to the coronavirus, this year will continue to be much different, but it is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. As I wait for the world to get back to normal, I guess I will just have to listen to some holiday music at home with my family, in an attempt to get into the Christmas spirit.
