AN INVERNESSIAN IN AMERICA: We have to be better at not beating ourselves up – especially during Covid

Over the past week, I’ve been prepping my column on a topic I feel quite strongly about but as the days have passed, the cases have risen and the threat of impending restrictions has become more apparent, I’ve felt conflicted over it, writes Diane Knox.

It kind of sums up the feelings of many right now - it seems we’re in a no-win situation. But hey, all we can do is our best. Oh, and Happy Christmas Eve.

Taking a social media break over the festive season is something I’ve been thinking about a lot, and to be honest am really looking forward to doing. Social media platforms are a breeding ground for feelings of resentment, jealousy, low self worth and all the things we really shouldn’t be feeling as we near the end of another challenging year. We all know that Instagram, Facebook, etc are highlight reels - people really only post their best bits, and a lot of those aren’t even real! I’m guilty of it, but we all have some battles we face behind closed doors and we want to keep those ugly bits hidden away.

There’s always good news to be shared at this time of year - engagements, weddings, pregnancy announcements - and it’s lovely. Of course, the majority of the time we’re happy for the parties involved but these posts can also serve as real triggers. We’re hard on ourselves as one year closes and a new one is about to begin. It’s human nature, and we have to be better at not beating ourselves up over it. So for me, I want to be present this festive season and focus on enjoying myself, as well as those around me.

As much as I know a break will be great for my mental health, we’re all in different situations right now and Christmas can be pretty difficult even at the best of times. Families are dysfunctional (every family has something!) and for some, being all together is a boiling pot of anxiety and apprehension. There’s the build-up and pressure of making the day a success, and the come-down when it’s all over. Combine that with this crazy COVID-era and it brings in a whole new set of problems - families that can’t be together, the worry over being around vulnerable family members, opposing views on the vax…

Social media keeps me connected to Scotland, but I’ve been looking at posts with a really heavy heart over the past week. Some of my friends have been struck down with COVID, knowing their isolation period runs into Christmas. And when you see so many people around you testing positive, even if you’re fit and healthy, you worry about being around others. God forbid you got someone in your family sick. I have friends who work in the hospitality industry and many of those businesses depend on this time of year - restaurants, bars, DJs. Cancelation after cancelation hits the wallet hard, let alone the mental wellbeing.

But Christmas hasn’t been canceled, and hopefully we can all adapt to make it as special as it should be - small gatherings with family & friends and making it as safe as it can be. We want a healthy end to 2021, and as bleak as it look right now, some optimism as we head into 2022. So I wish you a merry, healthy Christmas and hope your day is magical.

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