Post-holiday Blues-anyone get them?

[HansieDZ]

I'm trying hard not to get them this year,but.....:sad:
It's like so much preparation for the holidays and then
pfffft....
nothing but Valentine's Day to look forward to in 6 weeks.

Just wondering if anyone else is feeling a little bit blue right about now.

[dinojen]

I'm trying hard not to get them this year,but.....:sad:
It's like so much preparation for the holidays and then
pfffft....
nothing but Valentine's Day to look forward to in 6 weeks.

Just wondering if anyone else is feeling a little bit blue right about now.

Love Valentine's Day... my anniversary is two days later and it will be 30 years this year... woo hoo... how I have no idea... lol...

But I know what you mean... I still have my tree up... has to stay up till the 6th... it's a catholic thing... then I will take it down... besides I love the lights at night... and the kitty's love laying under it...

[BettyC]

I'm trying hard not to get them this year,but.....:sad:
It's like so much preparation for the holidays and then
pfffft....
nothing but Valentine's Day to look forward to in 6 weeks.

Just wondering if anyone else is feeling a little bit blue right about now.


Hi Hansie - I have, in the past, but no longer.

I'm actually happy it's all over and am looking forward to tomorrow as things really get back to normal.

(Of course, both hubby and I have birthdays in January so we do have things to look forward to this month also.)

[HansieDZ]

Love Valentine's Day... my anniversary is two days later and it will be 30 years this year... woo hoo... how I have no idea... lol...

But I know what you mean... I still have my tree up... has to stay up till the 6th... it's a catholic thing... then I will take it down... besides I love the lights at night... and the kitty's love laying under it...

Yep,will be keeping the tree up until Epiphany :thumbsup:
Still....
I guess it's the feeling of anticipation,expectation and fulfillment that I miss.

I like looking forward to something good.

[sunstar]

I'm trying hard not to get them this year,but.....:sad:
It's like so much preparation for the holidays and then
pfffft....
nothing but Valentine's Day to look forward to in 6 weeks.

Just wondering if anyone else is feeling a little bit blue right about now.

I always hate to see the Christmas Holidays end, but at least there's another day off work for MLK birthday in the middle of this month! Then next month we have Presidents' day so my depression won't start until after that weekend ~ when there's nothing to look forward to until the end of May and then it will be hot outside. :sad: I guess I'm a fall & winter person!

[kennedy06]

It's almost like a let down when is all over after all the effort. I keep my tree up a little longer than most, probably for another week, actually getting to enjoy the twinkling lights. Even up to NY Day it seems hectic to me.

[Brady]

I'm trying hard not to get them this year,but.....:sad:
It's like so much preparation for the holidays and then
pfffft....
nothing but Valentine's Day to look forward to in 6 weeks.

Just wondering if anyone else is feeling a little bit blue right about now.

I hate to say this, but some feel the opposite....where it is a great relief when Jan 2nd comes around and the holidays are over. The holidays seem so commercialized to me and I do not like that part of it.

[HansieDZ]

Hi Hansie - I have, in the past, but no longer.

I'm actually happy it's all over and am looking forward to tomorrow as things really get back to normal.

(Of course, both hubby and I have birthdays in January so we do have things to look forward to this month also.)

Oh,bless you!
So,there WILL come a point in time when I will look forward to something else?
I still have kids in the house....the oldest will be going away to college next year and I know it will never be the same again.

I always wanted a January baby-a special time to be born!

[SavannahStar]

Yep,will be keeping the tree up until Epiphany :thumbsup:
Still....
I guess it's the feeling of anticipation,expectation and fulfillment that I miss.

I like looking forward to something good.

BBM. Easter!!! :smile:

[bluwaters]

Love Valentine's Day... my anniversary is two days later and it will be 30 years this year... woo hoo... how I have no idea... lol...

But I know what you mean... I still have my tree up... has to stay up till the 6th... it's a catholic thing... then I will take it down... besides I love the lights at night... and the kitty's love laying under it...

My tree is up until the 6th as well.
Episcopalian thing.
I love the lights too. :smile:

[withay]

I don't have post Christmas Blues but I do have Seasonal Adjustment Disorder (SAD) that tends to hit me in late January, early February. I just have to up the Prozac and work on getting enough sunshine. And just knowing what it is and that it will get better when Spring kicks in helps a lot.

[bree2]

Perhaps you can pay special attention to the days getting longer a wee bit at a time. The extra daylight makes me smile. What about family members birthdays? Any up and coming ones to celebrate? How about the first sight of tulips and daffodils? They slowly lead us to spring.

I look at the holidays ending and the new year beginning as my personal time to start 'something' over. New habits, new outlooks, etc.

I hope your bluesys go away soon. :thumbup::wub:

[withay]

Perhaps you can pay special attention to the days getting longer a wee bit at a time. The extra daylight makes me smile. What about family members birthdays? Any up and coming ones to celebrate? How about the first sight of tulips and daffodils? They slowly lead us to spring.

I look at the holidays ending and the new year beginning as my personal time to start 'something' over. New habits, new outlooks, etc.

I hope your bluesys go away soon. :thumbup::wub:

No family birthdays or holidays but I really do look forward to the first signs of tulips and daffodils. I try to have some planted every year so i can watch for them. Since I have retired it is easier. I think it was the going to work and going home from work in the dark that made it so hard. I actually had my Dr. write a letter so that I could get a desk where I could at least see a window instead of being in a cubical in a windowless room!

[bree2]

No family birthdays or holidays but I really do look forward to the first signs of tulips and daffodils. I try to have some planted every year so i can watch for them. Since I have retired it is easier. I think it was the going to work and going home from work in the dark that made it so hard. I actually had my Dr. write a letter so that I could get a desk where I could at least see a window instead of being in a cubical in a windowless room!

withay,
A cubical and no windows is the worst. Can you ask your Dr. to write another note to your employer about you needing a seasonal light. My SIL has SAD and her boss bought her the special light her Dr. wanted her to use. It has made a difference in her depression.
:thumbsup: love the blooming of flowers!

[Mamie]

I'm trying hard not to get them this year,but.....:sad:
It's like so much preparation for the holidays and then
pfffft....
nothing but Valentine's Day to look forward to in 6 weeks.

Just wondering if anyone else is feeling a little bit blue right about now.

BBM - God no!!!

[aproudmom]

I'm trying hard not to get them this year,but.....:sad:
It's like so much preparation for the holidays and then
pfffft....
nothing but Valentine's Day to look forward to in 6 weeks.

Just wondering if anyone else is feeling a little bit blue right about now.

I said the same thing it seems we prepare for Christmas and then it is over so fast. I must say I usually need a break after the Holidays and this month I will be a new aunt so it gives me something to shop for and think about for a couple of weeks.

[Dunlurken]

I am so glad it's over. The family disagreements, who doesn't get along with whom, etc. And the expense! JMO.

[AngelWings]

Love Valentine's Day... my anniversary is two days later and it will be 30 years this year... woo hoo... how I have no idea... lol...

But I know what you mean... I still have my tree up... has to stay up till the 6th... it's a catholic thing... then I will take it down... besides I love the lights at night... and the kitty's love laying under it...


I do the catholic thing too...my tree & lights will also be staying up a few more days...actually we take it down on the Ephiphany..which I think it the 10th...I bvetter check that out...:unsure:

Ok..got it...it's the 6th.

http://www.crivoice.org/cyepiph.html

[ninetoes]

Nope.
The little kids are grown. We love to spend time with each other anyways. No need for prezzies and it's been that way for years.
Christmas has not meant presents to me for a long time now and it is really such a relief.
I would really hate to feel the commitment of running straight in to Valentine's also. I feel no obligation towards that either. Why would I. Valentines?

Pretty much the same here. we've never really done the whole valentines day thing. it isnt a real holiday for us. the next holiday we will celebrate will be easter.

This was the first year we didnt have both kids here at the same time for christmas. it was a bit different, but it wasnt a depressing kind of different. (hope that sounds like I intend) we just realize we have entered a new era in our lives, and accept that. I missed the family christmas, but its also a joy to know the kids have grown into responsible adults and have their own lives now.

[femquest]

I hate to say this, but some feel the opposite....where it is a great relief when Jan 2nd comes around and the holidays are over. The holidays seem so commercialized to me and I do not like that part of it.

Me too. I usually love Christmas holidays. Grandkids are beyond Santa... maybe that's part of it. But it's still the cooking, buffets, presents, shopping... I actually notice I have some psychic energy today. Glad, too, cause I was beginning to think I had SAD or something.

Valentine's Day is nice without all the work. Thanksgiving's easier, too. On December 26, I said to dh, "Okay, now I'm ready for Christmas to happen." So I guess I was trying to play catchup too many days.

Next year, maybe just lots of red candles and evergreens... or know my limits.

Roll on spring and summer!

[Debb]

December and January are big months for me and my extended family. 80 percent of our birthdays are in these 2 months!!! Plus there is Christmas and New Years! We had a great Christmas, but then my uncle died on Dec. 28...my parent's 51 birthday! It was so sad, though not unexpected. It really gets you thinking of your own mortality, if you know what I mean.

I did suffer a day full of melancholy on Saturday. It just hit me from out of the blue. That doesn't happen to me much. I just took it easy and had a good cry. I thought my feelings were more irratiable than depressed. My temper was very short. It was not a pleasant feeling and hope they don't return. It's good to know other's have suffered from this experience.

I have now decided that 2010 is going to be a wonderful year. I'm going to actually do all the things I have thought about for the past couple of years. I got a good start on my list Sunday. Also, I have a birthday coming up very soon. LOL.

[Sara6000]

Yup. :(

I've always felt a sense of sadness after the holiday season.

In retro/introspect, I think my feelings are largely based on the fact, IMO, that most of us are kinder to, and more understanding of, one another from mid-November through early January...

I'm grateful for the reminder. :wink:



eta: Hanzie & the rest of you under the "LTNS category...." :seeya:

[withay]

withay,
A cubical and no windows is the worst. Can you ask your Dr. to write another note to your employer about you needing a seasonal light. My SIL has SAD and her boss bought her the special light her Dr. wanted her to use. It has made a difference in her depression.
:thumbsup: love the blooming of flowers!

I am retired now so it does not matter. My employer was very nice about it. I only got the note because EVERYONE wanted a window and it was the only way to make sure I got access to one. And, yes, having the light (real sunlight is best) makes a big difference.

[Grins]

Part of the problem is exhaustion. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year celebrations, planning, decorating, arranging, visiting, shopping, worrying, shopping, cleaning, worrying, celebrating, cleaning, planning....

:crying:

Time to rectify my sleep deficit; relax and do some things just for me
fun for me

huh? yes
try it and
see

[SavannahStar]

Part of the problem is exhaustion. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year celebrations, planning, decorating, arranging, visiting, shopping, worrying, shopping, cleaning, worrying, celebrating, cleaning, planning....

:crying:

Time to rectify my sleep deficit; relax and do some things just for me
fun for me

huh? yes
try it and
see

Good advice Grins!

[Grins]

Hi Star! :seeya:
My hunch is you take good care of things,,,,,
and have fun,,, :hat:

[Noah]

Part of the problem is exhaustion. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year celebrations, planning, decorating, arranging, visiting, shopping, worrying, shopping, cleaning, worrying, celebrating, cleaning, planning....

Yep - you said it, Grins!

Since our entire family lives in other states, it's just the 2 of us and all the animals. I tell ya - it makes a big difference. Now we just kinda glide thru the holidays.

If we want to cook a big meal, we do. If not, we do finger foods. We don't have to go nutz with decorating like we used to.

It's a lot more relaxing. Not as much fun as having a house full of kids dancing around the tree bright & early on Christmas morning, but fun in a different way.

[Grins]

oh Noah~ :lol: @ "it's just the 2 of us and all the animals..."
``````` and just how many animals would that be, dear Noah?

The main reason I enjoy each day is that I decide to enjoy each day. No longer do I dwell on the past or yearn for the future or look for something or someone to make me happy as I used to do.
Now, I have the infinite capacity to amuse myself and have decided to enjoy my precious solitude. Do things just for me; start doing things I enjoy but have put off for years.

=did you like to draw, write stories or poems, paint, do crafts or sewing projects, dance, sing, throw pots.....well....see.... not that kind`````:wink:

Noah, tell us your secret of daily contentment and happiness.

[Noah]

oh Noah~ :lol: @ "it's just the 2 of us and all the animals..."
``````` and just how many animals would that be, dear Noah?

*snip*

Noah, tell us your secret of daily contentment and happiness.

Sadly, we lost 2 of our cats in 2009, so now we have just 7 dogs, 9 cats and 2 white doves. ...and the strays, of course!

Ahhhhhhhh - the secret of daily contentment and happiness? Count your blessings and don't sweat the small stuff. :wub:

[Grins]

Sadly, we lost 2 of our cats in 2009, so now we have just 7 dogs, 9 cats and 2 white doves. ...and the strays, of course!

Ahhhhhhhh - the secret of daily contentment and happiness? Count your blessings and don't sweat the small stuff. :wub:Sorry about losing the 2 furbabies; they really are family.

Surrounding yourselves with loving animals surely keeps you happily busy. They know you love them and respond.

Yes, I agree about focusing on our blessings and giving thanks for each one. It banishes useless worry and depressive thinking.

Know that you and DH are Heroes to me and
have my respect, admiration and encouragement.
I love you for loving
unselfishly~

[sofiesmom]

I think that the more the build up, the harder the fall in most cases. We didn't do a lot of building up. '09 was a very sad year for me, and I think that residual sadness has taken up all the space I might have had for any post holiday blues.

[Noah]

Know that you and DH are Heroes to me and
have my respect, admiration and encouragement.
I love you for loving
unselfishly~

Ditto, Grins! :wub:

[WillowInFlight]

I think that the more the build up, the harder the fall in most cases. We didn't do a lot of building up. '09 was a very sad year for me, and I think that residual sadness has taken up all the space I might have had for any post holiday blues.

I think you are right. I never put up a tree this year, just hubby and me, and I was not about to do it all myself. But then again every time I saw or smelled a candy cane I barfed. I still wonder how the children that didn't have Christmas handled going back to school. Maybe I think too much.

[Grins]

Healing hugs for Willow and all my friends~

Some things I learned during the early days of my recovery from depression
really startled me:

On my Belief Window
from childhood on
were
=everything will come crashing down
=I do not deserve to be happy
=there is something wrong with me
inside
=I do not deserve to live

With those beliefs driving my Thinking, Feelings and Behavior, you can guess how I felt every day....

[kennedy06]

Grins...your uplifting posts and proper perspective well....:wub:

Maybe we are worn out!

We need that song Its a Beautiful Morning remember from the 70's.!

[AmbiantRotation]

oh me, me, me! I do! I do!

After 10 wonderful weeks off with my 2 month old son January 4th marked my first day back at work and his first day of spending 8 + hours a day with his grandma and not his mommy :(

[Grins]

Hello Kennedy my friend :thumbsup:
Luvya right back; we lift each other ^
~
Healing Together

Being here is a good thing
and getting better
as I am

the more I give thanks
the less I
yam

healing is a process
to which I decide
to say
yes


restoring my,
Grins

[Grins]

oh me, me, me! I do! I do!

After 10 wonderful weeks off with my 2 month old son January 4th marked my first day back at work and his first day of spending 8 + hours a day with his grandma and not his mommy :(

A THOUSAND CONGRATULATIONS AND BLESSINGS AR AND SON AND ALL THE FAMILY!!

Extra hugs and kisses will make up for it.

[AmbiantRotation]

A THOUSAND CONGRATULATIONS AND BLESSINGS AR AND SON AND ALL THE FAMILY!!

Extra hugs and kisses will make up for it.


Thanks!!!! Work is so slow right now and it really burns me up that I sit here and play on the computer most of the day (granted I get paid for it) instead of being with my son. I owe them 90 days and then I'm free to leave without owing them any money so I'm going to wait it out until then and then see what my options are.

It seems like by the time I get home from work my son is ready for bed and I hardly get to spend time with him during the week!

[Scully]

It might help to get out and volunteer some spare time to a worthwhile cause. Nothing is more sobering than seeing firsthand what others have to deal with. I hope this helps.

[SavannahStar]

Hi Star! :seeya:
My hunch is you take good care of things,,,,,
and have fun,,, :hat:


Yeh well. I try.

Christmas this year was "different" ..... first year without my Dad (he died in October), and first year without my DS being home (he moved out to live with his fiance in August). The empty nest syndrome stinks! So basically I was happy to get the holidays over with and get into 2010. This is my new life, and I want to get on with it. On a bright note, I went to a marvelous New Year's Eve par-tay across the street...that was great fun with good food, drinks, and being merry with wonderful neighbors and friends. :thumbup:

[HansieDZ]

It might help to get out and volunteer some spare time to a worthwhile cause. Nothing is more sobering than seeing firsthand what others have to deal with. I hope this helps.

That's good advice and I appreciate it :)
There's alot of good advice on this thread and I hope others take away some good from it.

It helps to have some little projects to work on and I am slooooowly getting back into the swing of things. I do know that I am blessed and fortunate-I'm grateful really!