New Beginnings: How To Bounce Back After the Holidays

Ever get the feeling the holidays take a lot of your energy, and by January, you’re beginning to feel like, Will it ever end? Or how about (if you’re a mother like me) if school has started back up again? I sure feel those winter blues. I still have my Christmas tree out and little decorations here and there. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Christmas holiday, the decorating, the lights, and the joy of watching my kids open the gifts they requested all year. However, at the end of it all, I dread being overwhelmed, thinking it’s time to put Christmas away and begin that life routine. Again. 

There is hope, my friends. The new year begins with new opportunities, goals, and a new way of living. I have put together a solution to ease into 2025. I mean ease because, in past years, I would dive head first into the new year and burn out after two days. And I begin to hide in my blankets and spiral into the mindset of giving up. This year, it’s different, it feels different. I feel different (it could be because I turned 40 in November). 

Even if you’re a stay-at-home parent, working parent, homeschool parent, regular school parent, or maybe all of the above, we must re-establish a routine to return to normalcy. This post will discuss physical recovery, mental health and well-being, organizing, and fun leisure. 

Feeling the post-holiday blues? Here are some tips for a January routine reset.

Let’s dive right on in.

Physical Recovery:

Like an annual visit to the doctor, we need to check on our physical health after the holidays. A lot goes into the holidays, like running errands, decorating, cooking for a house filled with ten people, dealing with out-of-town families, and the multiple house visits to share your holiday banana bread. All of it is joyful when giving, but it can take a lot out of our bodies. A physical recovery is essential for recharging your body.

I’m not saying you need to start a gym membership, but moving your body is a great way to get your heart pumping and release stress from the holidays. I started walking around our neighborhood and counting how many basketball hoops were on one street; so far, I’ve counted five. My dog enjoys the little walks, and I even check the mail while walking. Along with body movement, I also checked on my eating habits. 

The holidays are filled with extraordinary, delicious foods, and some of us probably regret the amount we’ve eaten. 

Trust me, you’re okay. It was a time to spend with family and share food.

 Now it’s time to reset; I recently started drinking hot water with lemon in the mornings. Some probably begin their mornings with a cold glass of water, but it’s still winter. So, I start with a hot cup of lemon water, and when I finish that glass, I move on to my coffee. ADHD plus coffee equals a focused brain. I’m unsure if there’s evidence to support that, but that’s my experience. I’ve started decreasing ultra-processed foods and researching brands considered mild to moderate. Unfortunately, we can’t get rid of processed foods one hundred percent, but if you’ve figured out how, please share it with the rest of us. I’ve even begun making our cereal and chicken broth, and my husband makes two loaves of bread a week. He’s an excellent bread baker. I got him a bread machine for Christmas. Other nutritional changes have been made, and I learned these changes have helped with mental health. 

Mental and Emotional Well-being:

If you’ve made it this far into the post, you already know I have ADHD, but I’m also diagnosed with OCD and major depressive disorder. Winters are horrible for me because I have a hard time getting motivated. Recently, I’ve learned a few things about myself, and one of them is I’m not good at my mental well-being. This is a learned process. I don’t meditate, journal, or read a book all in one hour. But I do take in the peaceful morning. 

How does this look to me:

• Wake up before everyone else does
• Have my hot water with lemon and honey
• And chill

I use my hour before waking up the kids however I choose to. I tried to create a cookie-cutter morning routine in the past, but the problem was that it wasn’t my routine. Then, I learned I could spend my hour in the morning however I chose. I used to stress, thinking that I wouldn’t have accomplished anything if I had spent my morning hours like everyone else. 

I got to thinking, that’s not healthy. Remember, your hour in the morning is yours. Not your family, not your friends, not social media. Yours, and yours alone! 

Organizing and Planning

• Planning

Get that new yearly calendar for 2025. I usually buy mine in December, when many are still on the shelf. I’m picky about my monthly planners, so I created my own. 

…Hm, that sounds like a future blog post. Let’s get back on track.

Having a monthly calendar is helpful when setting a routine. It helps to look at the days of the month, write down upcoming appointments, and check work schedules and school functions. I usually look a week ahead to see what is on my schedule and if anything needs to be moved around.

• Organizing

Learn to batch tasks instead of doing multiple items in a day. I used to have a daily routine, only to learn that it gave me anxiety. Plus, it was repetitive, and I began to hate being at home. Instead, I pre-plan what I want to do for the week while looking at my planner. For example, 

• Mondays: I check emails, update the weekly budget, pay bills for the week, and walk to the mailbox to check mail.
• Tuesdays: Laundry day
• Wednesdays: Therapy and run errands.

You get the idea. Instead of creating a daily routine, I break it into weekly routines. Batch tasking helps free up other days to do whatever needs attention, like that project still sitting on my arts and crafts desk. 

Fun and Leisure:

• Hobbies

Do you have a hobby that you enjoy? I’m a seasonal hobbyist, meaning when the seasons change, I tend to create. I have a natural talent for floral arrangements, both artificial and real. 

I’ve also thought about learning new skills like making wreaths and sewing. If you enjoy a hobby, take the time out of the week and enjoy your hobby. Or learn something new that you’ve thought about trying. It’s a great way to destress from the holidays, and you might learn something new about yourself.

• Social Connections:

I know what you’re thinking. How can I go out and socialize? Aren’t we talking about re-evaluating our routines? Yes, you’re right. We are re-evaluating our routines. But going out for coffee with a friend you haven’t seen for two months is a way to re-evaluate your routine. Social connections outside the house and your usual circle of people are excellent for your mental health. 

Even an afternoon lunch with your family outside the house is suitable for mental health. I live in California, specifically, Central Valley, and the weather here is pretty cold, but when the sun is out, it’s incredible. When the weather is right in your area, take that opportunity to get some fresh air, toss the kids on their bikes, and kick everyone out. We’ve been cooped up in the house all winter and probably climbing all over each other and getting that cabin fever. 

Take a hike, and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. 

As we navigate through January and work our way back into our routines, it’s essential to remember that the post-holiday season is a time for resetting and rejuvenation. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a working professional, or juggling multiple roles, finding balance and easing into your daily life can set a positive tone for the rest of the year.

Focusing on physical recovery can rejuvenate our bodies and reset our eating habits, helping us feel more energized and ready to face the day. Our mental and emotional well-being is equally important, and finding moments of peace in our daily routine can significantly impact our happiness.

Organizing and planning can help us manage our responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed. By batching tasks and setting realistic goals, we can manage our time more effectively and create a sense of order.

Let’s not forget the importance of fun and leisure. Engaging in hobbies, trying new activities, and maintaining social connections can bring joy and relaxation, helping us recharge and feel more connected to ourselves and others.

As you start this new year, remember to be kind to yourself and take things one step at a time. Embrace the opportunity to create a fresh start and find new ways to thrive in 2025. Together, we can make this year one of growth, happiness, and fulfillment.

Cheers to a fantastic year ahead! 🌟