Here we are the week after Thanksgiving… sigh. Somehow even with this time off for the holiday, you’re more tired than you were before you went on break. How does that happen?!
I can tell you how because this definitely has been me many times. The good news is, this doesn’t have to continue to be your story –
if you are willing to make some changes.
We tend to go into any holiday rushing out of work but without a full plan. We don’t have enough of a plan for the time off and we don’t have a good plan for our return to “regular life.” And of course we don’t – because we’ve already been running ragged. Every time we say things will slow down next week – they don’t. Something else is added. So we end up sprinting this marathon that was never meant to be a sprint nor a marathon.
Then, we spend the holiday getting a break from work, but not taking an actual break at all. The marathon continues. You’re busy trying to prep all the holiday food, maybe hosting people, gift buying, or if you’re extremely unlucky traveling far with all the traffic. Then the holiday itself – MORE CHAOS! Family drama ensues – they always know just how to push buttons and it happened again. On top of all that, the lack of any semblance of routine makes it all that much harder to return to “normal.”
Of course you’re exhausted! Why wouldn’t you be?
Now Monday is here and you’re so tired but your brain is going a mile a minute with all the to-do’s that you didn’t do over the “break.” Not only are you exhausted, you’re stressed and overwhelmed by all the things. And we have another holiday “break” coming up soon!!!
Give yourself a moment. Breathe. Close your eyes. It is ok that you are exhausted and overwhelmed right now. I promise you are not the only one with what I call the Holiday Hangover.
This exhaustion and overwhelm is telling you to do something different. But what?
Number 1 – Take something off your plate now. Even better if you can take more than 1 something off.
What can you ask for help with, save for later, or say no to today or this week? And please – don’t say no to the fun thing you really want to do 😉
In our house we’re making easy dinners that will have leftovers. If our usual food box looked good this week, we would probably have done that instead. I canceled a meeting ahead of time that wasn’t needed. If anyone tries to schedule anything extra I’m saying no. I’m even looking at my week and see one more thing I could say no to if I need to.
Number 2 – Plan ahead now for the next “break” with buffer time.
I don’t know many people that don’t want a little extra time just for themselves after some time off – you know, a vacation from your vacation 😉 Make some adjustments now to give yourself that little buffer for the next break. Personally, I like a litter buffer at the beginning too, especially if we have to travel. Depending on what work and life looks like for you it could be a full day, a half day, adjusting travel plans to leave a day later or return a day earlier – you have options.
Number 3 – Consider what boundaries you need heading into the next break, and set them.
This is especially important if holidays tend to create a lot of anxiety, overwhelm, frustration, or even anger for you. Truth is though, we all need them. You have permission to set the boundaries that you need; offer that kindness to yourself.
I consider a lot of boundaries around the holidays. Recall what went well, and what didn’t, the last time. That will tell you a lot about what you want this next break to look like. What boundaries do you need to support yourself around time, space, money, people, and conversation topics?
I know I need brief periods of alone time and I definitely need my own sleeping space for me and my spouse. I need to set a semi-flexible budget. I try to stop or walk away from conversations where only complaining is happening, especially if it is about someone else. I also need connection with friends that fill my cup.
There are lots of ways to set boundaries and many could try – you get to choose.
Wishing you a calmer and less stressful upcoming holiday season!
If this was helpful for you, share it with a friend so they can have a calmer holiday too 🙂
We’ve got this! – Megan
