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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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January 4, 2017

The Post Christmas ‘Blahs’

Hello sweet friends! How are you? Are you recovering from the craziness of the holiday season?

I don’t know about you, but I find myself feeling all out of sorts in the days following Christmas. On the one hand, my family does infinitely better when we are operating within a routine.

So getting back to our regularly scheduled programming is more than welcomed around here. But on the other hand, my emotions tend to be all over the place and I feel discombobulated (that’s one of my all-time favorite words by the way!).

Winter vintage tabletop decor

And, in years past, I would give those emotions too much merit. I used to analyze them and wonder if I was supposed to make big changes in my life or big changes to my home or big changes to my hair.

I would simmer and stew over those post-holiday emotions and allow them to form a cloud over the brand new year.

But somewhere along the line, I began to recognize them for what they are.

Just the normal response to coming back down to reality after a month of crazy schedules, hyped up kids, too much sugar and a ridiculous number of activities.

Are you struggling with the post-Christmas ‘blahs’?

May I recommend that you don’t put too much stock in those feelings?

 

How about instead of giving into them, we just do simple things to boost our spirits?

Keep a few twinkling lights glowing here and there.

Winter cabin themed Christmas mantel decor

Light a candle in your favorite scent.

Put on some music that always makes you smile.

Read a good book.

Take a bath.

Go on a walk. 

Have lunch with a friend. 

Spend time in prayer and in God’s word.

And just celebrate moving out of a season of excess and into a season of simplicity.

Sofa table Christmas decor atthepicketfence.com

 

Happy New Year!

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Find more encouragement and inspiration in our book ‘Life in Season’ in stores now!

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15 Comments Filed Under: Community, Good Ideas, Good Thoughts

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  1. Michelle says

    January 4, 2017 at 4:18 AM

    Thoughtful post. Thanks for sharing! In this bitterly cold first week of January, I give thanks for my warm, cozy home and my snuggly dog and will settle in with my new books I received for Christmas. You are right, don’t overthink the post holiday blues…..as we know, this too, shall pass. And I too, have one small tree twinkling day and night!

    Reply
  2. Sandi says

    January 4, 2017 at 4:46 AM

    I like what you have written. I still have my tree up and I turn it on every morning because I love the little lights. Hugs,

    Reply
  3. Lynn Jackson says

    January 4, 2017 at 5:11 AM

    What a lovely post. I really enjoy a cup of white tea in the afternoon, but my stress level is higher this year. My husband broke a small bone in his leg a week before Christmas all our Christmas travelling cancelled , I guess we will be having Xmas in July delivering late presents. Then I was sick had to stay in bed New Years weekend ( 4days) I planned to take Xmas decoration down and put away. But will do what only what I can till done and still enjoy my cup of tea but my homemade baking container are empty. ☕️

    Reply
  4. laura says

    January 4, 2017 at 5:31 AM

    Vanessa- Timely post! Great suggestions! What I remind myself is resolutions, DIY lists and enjoying the snow this time of year in Denver. And life moves so quickly. PS I love love love your small Christmas trees!

    laura

    Reply
  5. Dianne Stavropoulos says

    January 4, 2017 at 6:06 AM

    Yes! Discombobulated says it all, doesn’t it? God goes before us into every New Year and He is never surprised by the things that take our breath away. I pray for a year of soulful rest for all of us – no matter how bone weary our bodies may be! Happy New Year to you and your!

    Reply
  6. valarie sanford says

    January 4, 2017 at 6:48 AM

    Amen sister, thanks for the wonderful perspective! Blessings

    Reply
  7. Sami says

    January 4, 2017 at 8:19 AM

    While I appreciate your post, I must say there are no blahs here. I am excited about the new year, more than willing to take down and store the Christmas décor and get on with normal. As I age I am finding that the hysteria over the holidays is wearing and I am pleased when it is over. I hope I don’t sound unfeeling but I wanted to share an alternate mind set.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 4, 2017 at 8:34 AM

      You don’t sound unfeeling at all Sami and I appreciate your perspective! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Bonnie says

    January 4, 2017 at 9:44 AM

    Thanks Vanessa for the good insight. I sometimes feel that way right after the holidays and I forget that there are good things waiting for me in the new year to come.

    Reply
  9. margaret says

    January 4, 2017 at 10:17 AM

    Thank you for those good tips to start the new year.
    Happy New Year to you and your family!!

    Reply
  10. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says

    January 4, 2017 at 8:52 PM

    Happy New Year to you, too, Vanessa! I always enjoy your posts!

    Glad to know that I am not the only person who gets a little down after Christmas — and especially when you pack away your Christmas decorations and everything seems to look so drab after having so much color! I love Christmas and everything that is connected to it! It is absolutely my favorite time of the year!

    However, it isn’t long before I count my blessings and realize that I am truly blessed! God is so good!

    Bless you!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 5, 2017 at 6:57 AM

      Thank you so much Mary-Ann and Happy New Year to you as well!

      Reply
  11. Jenny says

    January 6, 2017 at 6:16 PM

    I know this feeling as well. Luckily, my kids have January and February birthdays, so quickly after the Christmas festivities are over, we begin planning birthdays. It’s nice to pair-down after Christmas and plan low-key birthday celebrations. And, due to their birthdays being right after Christmas, we ask that their birthday party guests bring donations for the local animal shelter, in lieu of gifts.
    ~Jenny
    https://www.introvertsguidetosobriety.com/

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 7, 2017 at 8:22 AM

      That is such a great idea Jenny!

      Reply
  12. Terri says

    January 11, 2017 at 7:55 AM

    I just read this post… thank you so much !! Great Words of Wisdom… and some wonderful ideas…. Our family had an amazing Christmas … and just this past week we had a cabin vacation getaway in the Smokies… so beautiful… It snowed!! … and snowed !!! lolol… kind of a big deal for us “Floridians”!!! lol….. but then when everyone heads back home and to “Normal” … well… I feel those same blahs just a bit !!!! Thank you again for this uplifting post !!!!

    Reply

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