Post-Holiday Blues
When the sugar wears off, and the present excitement begins to fade, boredom sets in.
by Megan Arnold, NCC, LPC, CPCS
January is often considered the longest month of the year. I believe it’s because the month has big shoes to fill. It comes after the fast-paced and colorful month of December, filled with celebration, family, and friends. However, mood may be affected by the other side of this coin. The end of December may be the time of year a lack of needs or connection may be highlighted or the time when family dysfunction is at the forefront of the mind. On top of this, it’s cold, dark, and dreary. No matter the reason, it would be beneficial to check in with yourself and your family during this time and to show grace as you get back into “the routine”.
Check In with Your Social Battery
It’s important to check in on your and/or your children’s social battery. What is it that is needed? Some individuals need to slow down to take time for themselves to recharge, while others may need to be intentional about scheduling time with others to maintain connection and energy. Think about what balance can be struck with your family this month.
Expand Interests
If you’re noticing lots of downtime, lean into it. You could do this one or two ways. Allow boredom to sit in or explore a new hobby or interest. There is no need to pick a hobby that’s going to be a “new years resolution” and is loaded with pressure and expectation. A new hobby would be for the pure sake of it. Something that brings joy! On the other hand, just let the boredom be. It can be a great starting point for creativity or deep thought. Don’t be afraid to sit with this feeling; encourage your children to sit in it by refraining from entertaining them.
Find Joys in the Stillness
Throughout your January days that stretch on forever, find the little glimmers. Practice focusing your mindset on what’s going well, what makes you smile, or another positive aspect of your day. It can simply be the way you notice the steam rising from your morning cup of coffee or the way the sun peeks through your trees as you're watching the sun rise with your little ones. Or, it can be the end of a work week as you settle down for pizza and a movie. So many little joys to search for this January.
Nurture Yourself & Others
Lastly, be sure to take care of yourself. Find ways to nurture yourself this month. When your cup is full, you’ll be able to nurture your family around you. When you take care of yourself, you do things that fill you up, soothe you, and give you energy for the world around you. Nurturing yourself looks different for everyone, but it can include having a comforting meal, watching a funny or feel-good movie, going for walks, or spending time with your partner or a friend. Be sure to prioritize time for yourself this month, especially if you felt depleted from all of the events in the previous month.
We Can Help
If you find you’ve exhausted all of your tools or supports and would like more emotional support for you or your child, reach out to Elevate Counseling + Coaching to see if Parent Coaching, child therapy, adolescent counseling, or adult therapy would be a good fit for you.
