Post Christmas depression or relief? December 26th and beyond.

The hype! The build up!  The event! And.....  it is still only a 24 hour day.  The expectations and excitement of the big event - Christmas - can seem like a let down the day after.  Many go back to work the next day, have the joy of cleaning up, or returning gifts.   Then there is the fact you may have spent hours or even days decorating for this event only to see that you now have to put it away.  Depression or relief?  For this one event of the year many of us put in so much energy that it literally wears us out!  The big question for you is, "What Now?" 

We build up so much energy into the holiday, that we may experience a huge let down.  We changed our rhythm in life and set ourselves on a pace of pure excitement and expectations.  Maybe we had family reunions with members of our family we haven't seen for a long time.  The joy of seeing each other and spending time was so wonderful or overwhelming.  It may have been more than we expected and now that it is over, and we find ourselves feeling empty.  Or...maybe it was such a pain that we find ourselves truly relieved it is over.  What about work and career?  Were you one who worked Christmas Eve and are back the day after Christmas?  Was it a joyful day off or an interruption in your work process?  The morning after as you are having to go back to work can feel quite depressing as you leave and most others you know are still sleeping.  You may be asking, "Why me?"  Or...you might be relieved to be heading back to work.  What about the poor Burger King employees working the drive-up all night Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?  How was their holiday?  To be honest, there are many who do not celebrate the holiday at all.  For those of you who do celebrate, how happy are you that the event has come to an end so that you can get back into your daily routines?  We are all different in our approach to life.  But, "What Now?"  How do you handle the amount of change that has occurred over the past month or so?  Think about this; some radio stations start playing Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving non-stop through Christmas.  At midnight on the 25th as we move to the 26th, the Christmas music stops.  The next morning as you turn on the radio station, there is no more Christmas music.  You were conditioned to hear this music constantly for over a month and then "bam" it is gone.  What does that do to you? Are you having Christmas music withdrawals?  It often feels as though we are being controlled by the media, the retailers, expectations, and other outside sources.  "What Now?"

You need to take some time to "come down" from the holiday rush.  Take a few moments to reflect on the wonderful times you experienced as you prepared and celebrated the holidays.  Don't focus on the "low" point of the season, but on the "high" points.   You might want to journal those special moments you experienced.  Take time to celebrate that you were able to break up your daily routine for a short time and experience life on a different path.  Do not immediately attempt to get back into your routine.  If you are back at work the next day, find ways to take short breaks and reflect on the restful moments you had during the holiday.   Approach your work day as a "game" and not a chore.  Oh, with the Christmas music midnight shut off, you may want to play Christmas music periodically throughout your day. This may help you with the transition.  Do yourself a favor and take a positive approach to the day.  Utilize my 5 Simple Steps to Happier Daily Living (Be Thankful, Scream "This is going to be the greatest day of my life!", Visualize, Compliment and Breathe - get your full free copy at www.thetajlgroup.com)  You may want to plan out moments during the year that you can bring a little "Christmas" back.  Find fun little ways to surprise those around you and yourself with a little "Christmas magic".  It may help you to create a little plan for next year's celebration now that has you doing things throughout the year.  This could help you make this holiday event a more common piece of your daily living.  You might want to re-read some of the cards you received or re-connect those you were in contact with during the season.  Find what works for you as we all have unique ways of coping with change and "let down".  For those of you who are truly relieved it is over, celebrate!  But wait, "What Now?"  

More stress and expectations?  We have to get ready for another celebration?  New Year's Resolutions?  Now we are being hit with preparing for New Years Eve and New Years Day parties!  We need to get that perfect champagne, the right decorations, find the right party, get the food ready for New Years Day and more.  More expectations, change and excitement! My favorite is when we are lead to believe that we can change with the perfect New Year's Resolution.  There was an article in Forbes.com this past year that stated that only 8% of us are successful with our New Year's resolutions.  In 2007 there was a study done that showed that 88% fail in our New Year's resolutions.  With that being said, what is your New Year's resolution?  What is your "What Now?" if you can't be successful in your New Year's resolutions?  Just relax and believe that you will be successful in what you wish to achieve.  I will write about the movement into the New Year in a few days.  For now, just take a simple approach to the "change"-the New Year.  Set no expectations, wake each day expecting each to be the best ever, and remember that things always work out.  Smile, laugh and just lighten up as we move closer to January 1, 2014.  If you are struggling with the change and transitions, please contact me via my website at www.thetajlgroup.com.  I would love to help you.