After an eleven-day holiday break filled with relaxation, my family and I reluctantly returned to reality yesterday. We enjoyed late mornings, cozy pajamas, and festive feasts. I crafted a hefty 30 pounds of Chex Mix, which I confidently counted as a meal, and after a delightful Christmas dinner, I could barely walk into the kitchen again due to the influx of snacks gifted by friends and neighbors.
On the way to school, my youngest son, Tommy, jokingly wished that we had crashed into a snowbank so he could skip school and stay home with me instead. It struck me how dire the post-holiday struggle is—hitting a snowbank seemed like a preferable option to the daily grind.
Many of us have felt that way after the festivities, longing for just one more day of unrestrained fun. Frankly, I wouldn’t have minded a little crash myself; I certainly wasn’t ready to face the real world again.
The post-holiday malaise is no joke; it can feel more debilitating than any college hangover—yes, even the one where I drank strawberry daiquiris at 10 am and ended up sporting a pink mustache for a week. So, what leads to this feeling? Here are eight compelling reasons:
1. Fatigue Sets In
We are not just physically exhausted; our mental energy is drained too. The kids have been hyperactive on holiday treats, and we’ve spent too much time with family, wrapped gifts, baked like culinary wizards, and indulged in festive meals. All this effort has left us utterly spent.
2. Financial Strain
It’s easy to get swept up in the holiday spirit while shopping. Many of us have exceeded our budgets, thinking a few extra items would make the season unforgettable. We often purchase something for one child and then scramble to “even it out” by buying for the others. Now, however, the bills are piling up, and the reality of our spending has hit.
3. The Post-Holiday Crash
The season is a whirlwind of indulgence—late nights, festive treats, and celebrations. When your kids beg to stay up late to watch holiday movies, how can you say no? But once the festivities are over, it’s a jarring transition back to normal life after such a high.
4. Wardrobe Challenges
Let’s face it: after a month of indulgence, our clothes might not fit quite right. The thought of buying new pants feels impossible right now, given the financial situation.
5. De-Christmasing Dread
Taking down decorations is a melancholic task, no matter how ready you are for it. Removing the holiday cheer from your home can feel like a chore, especially when confronted with dried-out trees and glitter that seems to escape everywhere.
6. Swimsuit Displays
To add to the chaos, stores like Target have already started displaying bathing suits alongside Valentine’s Day candy. Seriously? Who feels ready to try on swimsuits just days after indulging in all that holiday food?
7. Routine Resumption
Re-establishing a routine after a break can be appealing in theory, particularly after weeks of lounging in pajamas and snacking on sweets. However, getting kids back into a structured schedule is usually met with resistance, as they have far more energy to fight it than we do.
8. Clutter and Mess
The holiday spirit means less time for cleaning. Our homes are cluttered with leftover treats, new toys, and an overflowing pantry. The mess is daunting, and the thought of tackling it can be overwhelming.
Let’s agree to allow ourselves a month to recover from this post-holiday struggle. After all, we’ve celebrated hard throughout December. January should be a month of easing back into normalcy, which we all desperately need.
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Summary:
The post-holiday blues can leave us feeling drained, financially strained, and overwhelmed by clutter and routine changes. Taking time to recover is essential after the whirlwind festivities of December, and we should allow ourselves to ease back into normal life.