“And now let us welcome the New Year
Full of things that have never been.” -Rainer Maria Rilke
Despite our best attempts at moderation, for our family, the holiday season was full of too much sugar, too many screens, too many late nights, not enough routine…or at least, that’s what I initially thought.
But when I slowed down to check my reaction, I recognized that maybe it wasn’t too much at all.
Maybe it was just right, as ’twas the season for abundant fun, for magical cookie parties and long flights with ice cold Gingerale and copious amounts of screen time, for late movie watching nights with cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles, for special holiday food and meaningful indulgence. And those happy memories solidified it for me. It WAS just right in every way. And, thankfully these are the fun-filled memories that sustain us across the miles from so many of our loved ones between now and our next visit.
And yet despite the “just-rightness” of it all, there’s still a bit of a hangover that follows these magically fun-filled times.
Personally, I underestimated it this year and felt the friction within our own family as we each individually struggled with returning to routine. I felt guilt and confusion, thinking…”We have this beautifully abundant life and I’m so grateful for it all. Why am I so irritable? Why is this feeling so hard? I should be more resilient and better able to snap right back into routine–especially since we’re healthy and happy and I get to do work I love!”
The “shoulds,” the guilt, the overwhelm lead me to self-compassion (thank you, Health Coaching). I took the time to reflect and to offer myself (and my family) grace while we transitioned back to reality. And this is when we once again, began to find ease.
In this ease, I got more curious about the phenomenon of “post-holiday blues.” In my research, I learned that we’re in good company and that there’s science to support our gloomy feelings once the dopamine fueled months from October-December come to a screeching halt with the pressure to revamp our lives with resolutions for the New Year.
As if the end of the holiday season isn’t challenging enough emotionally, but then we add the pressure of Resolutions to an already taxed emotional regulatory system! We’re bound to fall apart, to feel maxed out, to feel less than inspired and spunky.
Embedded within the pressure to create New Years Resolutions is the implication that we’re not already doing our very best; a sentiment I firmly refute.
I have a deep belief that we’re ALL doing the best we can. The best we can with the information we have, the support we have, with the self-awareness we have, with the inner resources we possess. This doesn’t mean that there’s not a call to evolve and grow, there is. But, I believe we’re all trying in our own ways. This allows me to extend others the “benefit of the doubt” most of the time and this is a truly generous vantage point.
So to me, this time of year is about Progress, not Perfection and certainly not about a bullet point list of Resolutions destined to be abandoned before we turn the calendar to February.
But, back to Dopamine and The Blues.
So, what happens in January? We’re worn out after months of festivities and dopamine fueled events, from finding an elusive item on your shopping list, to bargain hunting, to cocktail parties and indulgent foods. We’re often physically tired from travel, from the additional housework that comes with setting up and taking down the holidays. We’re mentally spent from keeping lists and calendars in our heads, from the tug-of-war battle of trying to stay somewhat on track with health objectives while also enjoying the spirit of the holidays. We’re emotionally worn out from the gatherings with family, friends, classmates etc.
We’re plain old tired.
And, our brains are ACTUALLY trying to restore balance in our emotional regulatory system by shutting down dopamine receptors to recalibrate to homeostasis (1). Not surprisingly, this takes some time. Grace and self-compassion help.
So, if you’re in this uncomfortable post-holiday space, as my family has been during this past week, I hope today’s newsletter feels like a great big hug! You’ve got this.
SomethingĀ toĀ Read:
More on the Highs and Lows of the Holiday Season:
From Oxfordscience.org: The Dopamine Crash: How to avoid the post-holiday slump
From Weforumgroup.org: The Dopamine Detox; Why the holidays are the perfect time to restore your balance.
From The Conversation.com: Five ways Christmas affects your brain
How to Ease Back to Work from the goodtrade.com:Ā How to Ease Your Way Back Into Work Following Time Off
And, hereās WHY it mattersā¦Stress, both acute and chronic, take a toll on our holistic health.
Here are the facts on Stress from U.S. Department of Health & Human Services National Institutes of Health:Ā
SomethingĀ toĀ Try:
Try Reducing Stress & Recharging in Creative Ways–from organizing, to playing, to swinging at the park or trying a new recipe. There are countless ways to recharge and revitalize these sometimes slouchy January days.
99 Ways to Creatively RechargeĀ fromĀ thegoodtrade.com
SomethingĀ toĀ Create:
If youāre anything like us, weāre all feeling a few more sugar and salt cravings after the holidays. Here are some creative ways to ease off the more processed and refined treats and sweets, but still infuse a bit of fun!
Fudgy Black Bean Brownies from Dr. Furhman (Sometimes we eliminate the baking powder and baking soda and just enjoy the uncooked batter–delicious both ways)!
Easy Pizza BurgersĀ fromĀ Minimalist Baker–this is a plant-based family favorite that reminds us all of Auntie Alli who originally made these for us when she was living in Edmonds š„¹. Full of flavor and nutrition both! Make a double batch and freeze for an easy meal the following week!
Something to Consider:
As we welcome 2024, pause to consider what PROGRESS means to you and consider YOUR NEXT RIGHT STEP. Be it Centipede or Sasquatch in Size is of no concern. It is the direction, intention and spirit behind that step that truly matters.
If you need help taking it, I am here.
Here’s how Health Coaching is helping my clients! Health Coaching Testimonials