That Post-Holidays Lull

For me, the holiday season has always had the same elements as a wild party. Things start off slow but as more people get into it, everything seems to come to life. Everyone really gets into the spirit of things, they put aside their reservations, and the party culminates in a raucous and rowdy celebration of anything and everything. The wild party of the holiday season pretty much wraps up by the end of New Year's Day, with everyone really too worn down to do too much of anything. They've celebrated for the past month, so relaxation is needed.

Then the holiday lull hits. 

Just like the day after that raging party, the next day expects everything to go back to normal. People go back to work, trains run on their regular schedules, and life goes on the way it did before Thanksgiving. However, we are burned out from all the activity, and it's tough to get back up to speed. After all the holiday parties, overeating, overdrinking, traveling and general merriment, we find ourselves ten pounds heavier, sleep-deprived, socially burned out, and ready to sleep. The "I need a vacation from that vacation" syndrome is in full effect, and add to it that the weather is colder, the days are pretty short, and we start receiving all the bills we racked up from the fun we had. (Science note: A paper published a few years ago demonstrated that the third Monday in January was the most depressing day of the year. Just saying) So, how do we get out of this?

This is where the writing aspect comes in. If there's one thing that writing does for us, it is the gift of allowing us to experience things any time we want. In particular, I like to write a few pieces in early January discussing some of the highlights of the past vacation season. If I allow myself to embrace those memories, to relive them in a way where I can actually engage with the feelings and emotions of the experience, it's like I am back at the party again (but without all the alcohol). 

This does take practice, and it's easy to get distracted from. After all, when you are worn out from all the activity, anything becomes twice as difficult to do. However, it is very similar to other things you say you might do in the new year, like going to the gym. The first couple of times you really have to press yourself, and it's easy to say no, but if you consider just what the benefits are and give yourself permission to just engage in the process a little, you set into motion some positive habits that will build upon themselves the more you do them.

I am not suggesting making this a New Year's resolution or anything - ultimately it's up to you. I am only passing on the wisdom of someone who found the hangover cure after too many years of wild parties and horrible mornings-after. Whether you choose it is up to you. As a writer, however, it is a great way to put your writing tools to work while also getting past the post-holiday lull.