Five Ways to Overcome the Post-Holiday Blues
This essay originally appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 12/30/19.
It’s the last Monday of the decade!! This is huge! I was so excited about today’s newsletter that I actually had two different ideas for what to write about.
Like all other newsletters, both topics focused on helping you pursue a happier Monday. And to be timely, each idea also incorporated a New Year’s twist. Because it’s not just any Monday. It’s the last Monday of 2019!
But as today got closer, I felt called to write about something different. Something not inherently happy. Something I myself was currently struggling with.
How do I overcome the post-holiday blues?
It’s my first full day back in Chicago after spending a glorious 10 days indulging myself with family and friends in Orlando. My annual trip home for Christmas is something I look forward to all year. I hoard most of vacation days to maximize my time for this trip, allowing myself to be home long enough to unpack my suitcase and settle into a new, relaxing routine. It’s wonderful.
I’ve been living in Chicago for three and a half years now and know that I’m not the type to get homesick. But every year I question that as I sit on the flight back to Chicago and mourn the fact that my favorite trip is over.
You can relate, right? Maybe your trigger is when your visitors pack up and leave or when you put away the decorations or that first day back to work. It’s hard to embrace the fact that the joyful holiday season, and all the gatherings, treats, presents and time off work/school, is over.
So today, I’m sharing a list of five simple things that focus on overcoming the post-holiday blues. The below includes all things I plan to do myself to get out of this sad headspace. My hope is that one of them helps you too. Read on to learn more!
- Make a list of your holiday highlights, display it somewhere and say a “thank you” when you see it.
- Declutter something.
- Move your body for 30 minutes.
- Figure out New Year’s Eve plans that feel energizing to you.
- Find something little to be excited about each day.
1 – Even if it’s just for a moment, expressing a feeling of gratitude helps overcome a feeling of sadness. So, make a list of the top five memories from this season and display it somewhere prominent (on your fridge, desk at work, background on your phone, etc.). Whenever you see the list, say a quick “thank you” for the memories.
2 – Physical clutter is mental clutter. Try redirecting the energy you are expending on being sad to unpacking your suitcase, getting your email inbox to zero, putting away your decorations or picking one area of your home to declutter. Whenever I am feeling down, it helps me to physically do something that produces a reward. You’ll be amazed by the lift in your mood when you receive the reward of a clean and organized setting.
3 – You don’t need me to tell you that movement also lifts your mood. Find a way to move your body for 30 minutes. Go for a walk outside or on the treadmill while listening to a podcast. Sign up for a fun workout class for New Year’s Eve day. Find a way to move your body in a way that feels good to you.
4 – Speaking of New Year’s Eve, decide on a NYE plan that sounds best TO YOU. Excited about a party with friends to ring in the new decade? Awesome. Want to stay in and watch the ball drop on your TV? Also awesome. Do whatever feels most energizing to you.
5 – Remember question two from the section above? Keep it going beyond Monday. Find a super simple way to treat yourself (a coffee in the morning, takeout for dinner, a new book, a TV show) every day.
In closing, I want you to know that it’s perfectly fine to feel those post-holiday blues. After all, your sad feelings are a testament to the fun times you had off work or because of seeing loved ones and participating in various holiday activities. Be thankful for the memories and rest assured that the holiday season will be back the same time next year.
And once you are ready to move on from those sad feelings, this list is here to help you. 🙂