Another new year has come for us again! And as exciting as a fresh start with new beginnings can be, I must admit that the “after-Christmas letdown” hits me hard every year. Which is precisely why we could all use some tips on getting back to life after the holidays, am I right?

If you are anything like me, you become so invested in the busyness of the season that it begins to define you. You’re running here, there, and everywhere, shuttling your kids to 50 different festive events a night. You host parties and family gatherings that spill over into the wee hours of the night. There are cookies to bake and decorations to hang and you simply come alive during the holiday hustle.

Sure, it’s a crazy town 24/7 and you never know which end is up, but it’s the excitement in your family’s faces that makes it all feel like magic. 

But then comes the crash. The calendar turns to January and suddenly your schedule is clear. And while that is everything you wished for in December, now that it’s here, it’s hard to find your place.

Your home feels empty as you take down all of the decorations. Friends and family feel distant as you no longer see them each weekend. Your kids go stir-crazy without festivities filling their days. And you feel the weight of “making this your year,” without any plan on how to start.

But what if this year was different? What if there was a cure for the after-holiday blues?

Calling it a cure may be a little generous, but I do have 3 ideas for getting back to a season of excitement and joy without waiting for Christmas to come again.

GETTING BACK TO LIFE AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

1. Fill your home with things that spark joy.

One thing I love about the holiday season is all about the decorations that make me feel something. Ornaments that transport me back to a treasured memory, photos that tell a story of past happiness and cheer, and stockings that remind me of all the cherished years before.

And then we box it all up and my home turns back into a museum. But what if our home sparked joy all year round?

I want to challenge you this year (myself included) to fill your home with things that make you feel at peace. And I’m not just talking about decorations. Set up new systems that keep your family on schedule. Organize your home in ways that help you achieve success each day. Hang photos on your walls that tell a story of love and joy. Clear out spaces that feel cluttered and disorganized. Learn to live with less in order to receive more peace.

Whatever it is inside the walls of your home, that is causing you to feel empty or anxious, change it. Whether you need to add something in or take something away, don’t be afraid to make the switch! And maybe hang a few Christmas lights throughout your home, that always feels like a good decision. Hahahaha!

 

2. Plan for at least one social gathering each month.

Even as an introvert, I’ll be honest and say that my days feel pretty lonely after the holiday season.  Getting back to life after the holidays feels a little empty, even to me. And as much as social settings can cause me to feel anxious, I love all of the time spent with friends and family. And even an introvert needs some social interaction to recharge from time to time.

So no matter your personality type, make it a point to get some date nights, playdates, or family gatherings on your calendar this year. You can plan for as many events as you’d like, but a good rule of thumb is to have at least one fun activity planned each month. For introverts, it gives us enough time to recharge in between, and for extroverts, it gives you something to always be looking forward to.

No matter how you feel about social settings, everyone needs community. Everyone. No exceptions. So make it a goal this year to get together with friends, go out on dates with your spouse, or plan a family fun day at least once a month. Simply being together is a great way to keep the joy of the holidays in your home.

 

3. Set goals that feel simple and easy to obtain.

Don’t start writing a laundry list of things you need to accomplish this year. Getting back to life after the holidays is hard enough, you don’t need to start by piling on more work for yourself. That isn’t going to do anything but add stress and anxiety to your days. It isn’t realistic and isn’t obtainable. Start with your hopes for the year.

What do you hope happens in the future? Where do you want to see yourself in the coming months? Heck, what do you want to see come true in the next week? Whatever your hopes are, write them out and then make a plan.

Take your list of hopes and turn each of them into a task. What are you going to DO to make them happen? Think of this as your “to-do” list, giving yourself a job to do in order to reach each one.  

 And then create a timeline. one that is realistic without adding extra stress to your life. 

Be very reasonable with this timing. Don’t say your new business will retire your husband next month or your kids will eat all of their vegetables tonight. That sounds amazing and I truly hope you make that a reality, but don’t put that unnecessary pressure on yourself to achieve giant goals in a small amount of time. Give yourself grace and set a realistic timeline for each of your goals. 

And then spend time taking action.  

This part should be enjoyable, so if you’re finding any of it painful, don’t be afraid to go back and create new tasks to help you achieve your goals!

For more tips on setting goals and sticking to them, be sure to tune into Episode 78 of my podcast, The Direct Dish, for a more detailed chat about setting clear goals! 

BUT DON’T FORGET

If all else fails, if you’ve tried all the things to help getting back to life after the holidays feel simple but it still feels hard, go easy on yourself. Give yourself grace. Take permission to rest. And simply sit with the struggle until you’re ready to move forward.

Life isn’t a race and the start of the year shouldn’t feel like a marathon. Check-in with yourself each day and give your body the things it’s asking for. Even if that’s doing nothing at all.

Cheers to you in the new year friend. You already have whatever it takes to make it a year of abundance and success, don’t be afraid to believe in that power!