The hype of Christmas is over. The decorations have come down. The gifts have been opened. Suddenly, we have nothing to look forward to…or so it seems. The holidays are so lively, colorful, and chaotic, that the beauty and serenity of everyday life pales in comparison. It’s just too quiet. We no longer have Christmas to blame for why we’re avoiding dealing with certain issues. The gray skies and cold temps don’t help, and often only exacerbate feelings of anxiety and isolation and increase risk for seasonal affective disorder. When the going gets tough, look back on this cheat sheet of things to look forward to after Christmas:
The Afterglow-Slowly transition out of the holiday season by writing heartfelt thank you cards; replacing your Christmas tree with other indoor plants; and setting up your planner or vision board for the year ahead. And while the snow is beautiful when accompanied by colorful lights, many of us dread it the rest of the season. How about embracing it this year? Bundle up and take a walk in nature. Play in the backyard with the kids, head to the nearest sledding hill, rent a pair of snowshoes, or take a skiing lesson.
Goals-It’s my theory that people take on resolutions not only to embrace a new beginning, but to focus on something with as much gusto as they gave the holiday season. You have the momentum now to start something, even if you end up changing your course in a couple of months. Starting a fitness routine is actually a great idea right now, if only to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder. Have you always wanted to learn Italian, learn to code, to draw, or to cook? Now is the time to take a course, whether online, at a local community center, or college. It’s also a great time to plan a future vacation. Gather ideas from Pinterest or put together a budget. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. In fact, the more achievable it is the better. Do you have career milestones you’d like to hit? Make an action plan.
Hygge-The Danish know what’s up! This culture has long understood the way to make the most of this time of year, and that’s with a concept called hygge (pronounced hoo-ga). The word basically means to take cozy contentment in life’s simple pleasures. The idea of curling up under a chunky, knit blanket, with a cup of tea and a good book is the perfect illustration of hygge. The Danish are some of the world’s happiest people, even though they deal with notoriously long winters. If you want to incorporate the concept into our own life, consider minimizing your possessions, unplugging, and spending more time near the glow of a candle or fireplace. (This also includes prioritizing warm baths, massages, yoga, meditation, and other methods of self-care.)
Organize.OK, who looks forward to spring cleaning? Here me out, though: Once you get on a roll with the concept of hygge and minimal living, you might find your home is too cluttered with stuff you don’t need. You’re sure to start downsizing, organizing and cleaning. You might even decide to complete a home project or redecorate. There’s powerful psychologybehind living in an organized space that’s aesthetically pleasing, so if you’re feeling down, this might be a great place to start.
Winter seems to drag on, but before you know it, there will be Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and warm weather on the horizon. If you’re having a hard time getting past that post-Christmas sadness, talk it out with a therapist. They can help you focus, prioritize, get some perspective and cope during this time.
Andrea Walker says
Love reading your articles!
Kelly says
Thanks so much for reading Andrea 🙂