Long holiday

What if you don't have money? Don't dwell too much on it. What's more important is creating a different atmosphere from the usual tense days.

We can look for activities that do not require additional costs or do not burden us too much financially. What are those activities? Please search for them because what is of interest to one person may differ from another.

Overcoming loneliness

Although long holidays are eagerly anticipated by most people, there are also some who may find the thought of them anxiety-inducing. This is especially true for those who don't have close relatives nearby or are far away from their loved ones to enjoy the long holiday with them. It could also happen that our relationships with family and friends are not good, making the long holiday just reinforcing feelings of loneliness.

No life is perfect. So, instead of wallowing in self-regret, we can actually plan things that are quite enjoyable. Whether it's taking a solo vacation to an affordable destination, trying out new modes of transportation, or indulging in hobbies that bring joy.

Also read: Preparing Good

Humans, whether they are introverted or extroverted, are social creatures, and therefore we still need to maintain relationships with others. For those who do not have friends, it would be good to meet new people, for example, by participating in courses or environmental activities.

As social creatures, our sense of self-worth is also influenced by how connected we feel to others. Being connected means being loved and valued by others. It also means feeling valuable and being able to do something for others.

Regarding the above matter, we may feel down when we feel that no one truly cares about us, and a long holiday can strengthen that feeling of downheartedness. If that's the case, what if we change our perspective to start providing comfort for ourselves by ensuring that we can do something for others?

There are wise words, "When you feel helpless, help others", which psychologists sometimes use to help their clients feel happy. In essence, instead of being busy demanding that other people pay attention to us, perhaps it would be better to provide ourselves to other people who need it first.

If we are not ready to start with our immediate environment, we can start by paying attention to many people out there. Perhaps they are children in orphanages, perhaps the elderly in nursing homes, or street vendors in residential complexes.

Also read: The Hardest Time to Learn Ethics

It turns out that stepping out of oneself can indeed bring happiness. And what we started during the previous long holiday, it would be good if we can continue as a regular activity in the future.

Create a holiday atmosphere

It appears that many people nowadays are almost constantly working, whether on weekends or on workdays. The tension felt is different. During holidays, there is nonetheless relief and more freedom to relax, nap, or momentarily leave work without feeling guilty.

Amidst the often overwhelming busyness, we still need to insert breaks and holiday moments. Thus, we have a midday break, weekends to relax a bit, as well as mid or end of year holidays.

'Wow, I'm so happy, tomorrow is Friday', even though tomorrow is Tuesday or Wednesday.

If the demand to earn a living is so strong that we do not have enough long breaks, even to intentionally seek those breaks. Take a momentary break from work to catch our breath and calm ourselves down.

I am considered lucky because amidst a pile of work, there is a mechanism that works on its own in my mind to reduce tension. I often forget that tomorrow is still a working day. Often, during a short break from work, my mind wanders and thinks, "Wow, it's great, tomorrow is already Friday", even though tomorrow is actually Tuesday or Wednesday.

Although lately I realized that the weekend for relaxation is still far away, however, expecting that tomorrow is Friday can bring its own joy. We continue to work hard to complete all tasks, but with a lighter heart.

Happy Eid al-Fitr to all readers who celebrate it. Our long holiday has come to an end. Hopefully, we were able to enjoy the long break with joy so that we can return to work with a more relaxed heart.

Elizabeth Kristi Poerwandari, Teacher at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Indonesia