Post-Holiday Blahs...

[Minky]

Now, I'm not talking depression, but it is just a downer to me to have the whole holiday thing (tree, lights, family get-togethers, knick-knack, etc.) over with. It's kind of like - what do we have to look forward to next??!! Please tell me I'm not the only one here - and better yet - how do you deal with the January blahs???

[kima]

I am so sorry you feel blah Minky. I know that feeling but I am always happy when Xmas is over. I love January- a quiet time of the year to live simply and modestly. Perhaps it would help to look at this time as a time for quiet-a time to refect, take long hot baths, read, spend time with family doing simple things.I find the hype of the holidays all too much-I actually feel flat when most people are feeling festive!.
Funny how different we all react to the seasons and holidays.
Take care- come here for fun- sure to be some good jokes posted soon!:)

[LonghornGal]

It's a whole fresh new clean year - all opportunity, nothing has gone wrong yet, so many days to do something great, meet great friends, try new things!

:) But I also still haven't put away my decorations as I love having them out!

--Kristin

[Gecko]

I know what you mean, but I too look forward to the quiet time. And just think - you can look forward to the next event - Valentines Day! ;) All of the stores here have their cards out already.

[Grace]

I'm more like Maureen - we couldn't wait to get our tree down and get our lives back to normal (we took it down on New Years Day). Christmas is just too much sometimes, and we get overwhelmed with all the work involved and the entertaining and parties and gifts and it's just not even all that fun anymore. Sorry if I sound Grinchy, but I'm so happy to be back to normal and just breathe and rest and have time for myself again! I can do Pilates and Yoga and go outside for really long walks with my dogs, and I can make a leisurely dinner for just DH and I, and then actually sit down and enjoy it with him, and I can read those books that have been piled up and go through my new cooking magazines and dream and plan, and well, I just mention all those things because maybe you can think of similar things in your own life that will make you happy and cheer you up. Instead of looking at what's missing (Xmas festivities), think about what you have in your life that's wonderful. That should do the trick! :D

[ErinM]

You mean tomorrow's game...uh, make that TODAY'S, is not excitement enough??????


:D

[yorkshirepud]

I'm sorry to hear you've got the January blues Minky. I'm somewhat in the same position in the sense that I just can't get myself motivated in a work sense (I work from home). But, other than that, I raring to go for 2004.

Like others have said here, it's a new year and you have so much ahead of you to enjoy. I personally love the start of a fresh year as it energizes me into making the coming year more fun/successful than the last.

Perhaps reflect on 2003, seek out all the things that made you feel good, you achieved, you experienced, then look ahead and see that they will come again in 2004, possibly bigger and better, and allow that to put a smile on your face.

No one says that XMAS is the only time to have family get togethers. Perhaps set yourself a goal of organising 'bigger get togethers' every 2 months with family where you can all sit down to a nice dinner, drink and be merry.

If this doesn't pull you out of the blahs, perhaps find yourself a new hobby, something to throw yourself into.

HTH!
YP

[vbak]

Minky, I don't like January because it is so long and cold. I am happy when January is history because it means Spring is getting closer and there will be more daylight.:)
Vicky

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by Minky
Now, I'm not talking depression, but it is just a downer to me to have the whole holiday thing (tree, lights, family get-togethers, knick-knack, etc.) over with. It's kind of like - what do we have to look forward to next??!! Please tell me I'm not the only one here - and better yet - how do you deal with the January blahs???

I'm another one that gets the "after holiday let down". Like Grace, I am always glad to get the tree down and the holiday stuff put away. I also feel like it is just too much sometimes (Grinchy also), and am ready to get on with regular life. But at the same time feel sort of blue and aimless.

[Kristine]

I'm sorry you've got the January blues Minky. I'm like Maureen and Grace though....I am/was definitely ready to get back to "normal". I like routine, and the holidays totally disrupt my usual routine!

Just try to find small things, anything really, to look forward to. For me personally, I'm ready for school to start up again on Friday (I love school, what can you say? ;)), so I'm looking forward to that.

[Wendy w]

Sorry that you have the blahs, Minky. I am always happy when the holidays are over and can get back into routine and slower pace, but I love having the time off from work. I'm looking forward to getting into the big pile of cookbooks that are next to my bed and doing some more cooking.

[Little Bit]

I don't have the blahs this year, in fact, I'm glad to see this holiday season draw to a close. (We've got stuff to do that the holiday season put on hold.)

However, in years past, I do have trouble, and try to plan myself a project of some sort to get me through it. In recent years, it's been either sewing (dad a new bathrobe) or crocheting (new hot pads, new blanket or throw).

This year, I've started baking from Rose Levy Beranbaum's The Bread Bible and it's pretty involving. :) So many of the recipes intrigue me that I won't run out of projects for some time to come. (There's only so much bread we can eat, so I'm only baking as we need it.)

[kathyann]

Minky-
I hear you about the post-holiday blahs. I always get so revved up and stressed out during the holidays that when they are over I can't decide if I am relieved or let-down. Either way, it's sort of an empty feeling. One thing that it seems a lot of us have been doing is cleaning, decluttering, re-organizing and redecorating projects around the house (check out "a fresh start for the new year" thread) This seems to be a really good way to beat back the blahs. It keeps the mind and hands busy and focused, and it can be very emotionally uplifting to accomplish a project and see the wonderful results!!!

[Melman]

Minky..I understand perfectly. I LOVE the month of December...all the decorations, music, activities, shopping...just everything. I don't think I got stressed out about ANYTHING this year. It was one of the most stress-free holidays I can remember in a long time. It was depressing taking down my tree and the rest of the decorations. I honestly like my "holiday" house much better than my "rest of the year" house.

I guess one thing about January is that most years, we actually have daffodils about to bloom by the end of the month. The leaves are already starting to poke their heads out of the ground.

[claire797]

I get the post holiday blahs every year two. I was going to go on and on about why, but feel too blah to even do that.

There's just something special about the months of October, November and December. Sure, it's important to enjoy every day. Of course. But there's this sense of goodwill and conviviality.

Maybe we could all get psyched up about Valentine's Day or something. ;) I like Kristin's advice about celebrating the little things. And like YP said, it doesn't have to be a holiday to organize a get-together.

[Minky]

Thanks, everyone, for the wonderful perspectives! I just got home from a great workout at the gym. Stopped at the store for a few items, and you're right, Gecko, the Valentines Day stuff is out in force:o

I think part of the issue is the long, cold month and gray days... I think working out regularly will help. I also know the bake-fest I'm embarking on today will help, too:D Of course, a Packer win would also be a good thing:p


Thanks again!

Sheila

[Kay Henderson]

Sheila, you may be reacting to the lack of light. Many people do. In its severe form it's called "seasonal affective disorder" (SAD). (Try entering this topic on a search engine for more information.) It is usually treated with special lights, but even simpler solutions can be effective. My husband was especially sensitive to the lack of light in the winter when we lived in Sacramento. (Some years we would get fog for weeks at a time.) He installed a full spectrum light (we called it his grow light) in his study and it was quite helpful.

Kay

[kathyann]

Originally posted by Melman

I guess one thing about January is that most years, we actually have daffodils about to bloom by the end of the month. The leaves are already starting to poke their heads out of the ground.

Daffodils!!! I'm so jealous!! Our spring flowers are still months away!!

Minky- It looks like Brett and the rest of the guys are doing their best to cheer you up!!! Do I see another Packer- New England Superbowl in the making???

[Melman]

Yep...daffodils will be blooming in my yard in probably within 4-6 weeks.

Now, if NE makes it to the Super Bowl again, that would make me extremely happy!! :D :D :D :D

[lhall]

It's been so warm here I already have some daffodills!!!!

I look at putting away the Christmas stuff and a chance to relax from all the craziness. I do love the holidays, but am very overwhelmed by MIL/FIL's idea of Christmas. I'd much rather have a mad rush to open all the presents, then spend most of the day in pj's.

Leigh