As the clock struck 12 at midnight on New Year’s, we all celebrated in total jubilation just knowing that it’s going to be an amazing year. We kissed, we hugged, we wished everyone and we danced some more. For a pregnant woman, I think I may have scared my parents in India by just mentioning that I was on the dance floor for an hour and a half – but hey, it’s not a new year every day! After that, the night was not at all what we had planned – we helped friends who had one too many drinks (along with some mixing) feel alive again and just be there to clean up. But as we all sat there just talking about the year that went by and the one that’s about to come, one thing that was common among all of our friends was the feeling of dread. “My spirits are different right from thanksgiving onwards”, one of our friends stated. And now I’m just dreading Monday, she added. And as we drove around the next day just looking for an open coffee shop to get out of home on January 1, the husband and I looked at all the homes in our neighborhood that were once decorated with all things Christmasy and festive, being taken down one at a time. I realized that this feeling was not uncommon and I myself felt a feeling of sluggishness the morning after NYE. I quickly decided to start cleaning up the kitchen and living room to just get the day started. And quickly had a shower just to feel fresh. So if you’re struggling to get back to work or reality after what was an amazing month of holiday festivities, here are some things that you can do to stay motivated –
Start planning – I know it’s hard to look forward when you have all these amazing memories of the past, but the best way to snap out of your holiday mood and into work mode is to plan.
Focus on the joy of good outcomes – Shifting focus always helps put us in a better mood, whether it is shifting our focus from negative to positive or from dread to joy. Think about how good you’ll feel once you start accomplishing your goals for the year, one at a time.
Organize your space – The first thing I did on January 1 was clean up. The house was messy with things strewn around all over, like the after effects of a holiday that lasted forever. And just looking around at the mess made me feel uncomfortable. So the husband and I quickly got down to cleaning up and just seeing our space neater and more organized put me in a happier mood.
Get out and get moving – As much as we can think and plan for all things we’re about to do, we all know that the best thing to do really is to get moving. If you’re top goal for the year is to lose weight, go to the gym. If you’re goal is to focus on your career, start working on it. If it is to just be a happier person, don’t wait even for the next morning.. just start now! Whatever your goals for the year are, start moving right now to help put you in a different mindset altogether!
What are some of the ways that you can rely on to help you feel motivated after the holidays?
