Even during good years the holidays can be a difficult time for some people. Now, combine that with Covid fatigue, increased loneliness, travel restrictions, and isolation and the holidays can seem like an even more stark and lonely time. 

The holiday season this year is going to be different for everyone. Yes, we are untethered from the family and tradition this year, but we can still incorporate some parts of our tradition into the holiday and perhaps even create new traditions worthy of being carried forward into next year's holiday gatherings when we are all finally allowed to be together again. Wanna know how? Listen in!

Therapist Aundi Kolber has tips to help us battle holiday loneliness. 

She says: 

1. Identify two or three people that you can reach out to, if the loneliness of the holidays seems too overwhelming. 

2. Do not wait until you are overwhelmed to contact them and ask if they can be on “your team” of people to contact when you need to be encouraged or just need someone to talk to! 

There are hundreds of thousands of people who’ve lost loved ones due to the virus, and it will be their first holiday season without them. We are all struggling, know that we’re all in this together! 

What new traditions can you create this year, perhaps you can create a Vid Hug Thanksgiving Video for all the people that you can’t be with in person. What about taking part in secret Santa events like a Secret Santa Dog, or Secret Santa Sis/Brother helping to bring unexpected joy to someone. Perhaps you can pack up a Thanksgiving treat to deliver to someone you know is struggling. Something good always comes with the bad - can you find it, and if you can’t find it can you make it?

Drink of the Week: Sage Gold Rush Cocktail

For me, sage is the Thanksgiving herb and I grow it in my garden so I always have plenty of it on hand. 

Make a honey simple syrup with equal parts honey and water. After it has boiled together, add a bunch of sage leaves. Let it steep in the syrup while it cools, then remove the sage leaves. 

2 oz. Bourbon 

1 ½ oz. syrup 

1 ½ oz. lemon juice 

Sage sprigs

Lemon Twist

To make the cocktail, combine the first 3 in an ice fill shaker. Shake that shit for a minute and then strain it into an old-fashioned glass and garnish it with a lemon twist and some sprigs of sage. 

Check out my Instagram stories later today to see pics of this drink and all the other Thanksgiving shit I never have time to make but I'm definitely going to make this year, and please know this: If you need more people on your team, if you are feeling isolated and alone this holiday season, please know that you can reach out to me as I’ll be more than happy to be part of your team! 

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Cheers,

JB