How COVID-19 and Travel Shaming Is Affecting Holiday Plans

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The new year can't come soon enough for many people. Let's face it, 2020 will be a year to remember—but probably not in a positive way.

With the holidays fast approaching, many are apprehensive about how they will celebrate this year.

It's not only about the concern of the pandemic, but what lingers from the effects of it—some are struggling financially and are maybe facing unemployment or illness.

Rise of online shaming during difficult times

As if COVID-19 wasn't hard enough on us, we have seen online cruelty increase tremendously. From mask shaming to neighbors policing neighbors who aren't social distancing to one of the latest trends — travel shaming.

Whether you need to travel for work, or you feel comfortable using the airlines, it's your own personal decision. To have the internet as your judge and jury is extremely troubling. A word of caution to those that tend to overshare online: Click at your own risk. Right or wrong, it's the world we live in today.

Family holiday plans are changing

Many people are preparing their plans for the holidays with great skepticism. In a new survey, almost half (44 percent) said they won't be gathering due to COVID-19, while 29 percent say that they haven't even considered making holiday plans for this year.

Whether it's your views on social distancing, masks, or disagreements among friends and family about pandemic precautions, this type of conflict has families thinking twice about celebrating together.

Compassion over conflict

Moreover, many of us are shocked by the choices others are making, whether they be friends, neighbors, or family members. These differences of opinion can result in serious conflict as we have witnessed with online hate and shaming, but more importantly, according to this survey, nearly one-third of people had cut off communication with friends whom they viewed as irresponsible.

My opinion may differ from yours, but do I want to risk our friendship over them? These are really big decisions to consider. Maybe it's easier to find ways to still be their friend even if it's just agreeing to disagree. If you don't have the same thoughts on socializing publicly during this pandemic, it's okay not to meet up personally. But you can still maintain your friendship.

It's time for compassion for one another, be careful not to become judgmental, since that can go both ways. There are no winners when we become that person — that believes it's our way or no way.

Isn't 2020 hard enough? Now many are going to give up their holidays, fear of travel shaming, avoiding arguments with family or friends over pandemic social graces — not to mention, an election year!

Be kind, choose compassion over conflict.