The 7 Phases of the Post-Christmas Letdown

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For those of us who adore the holiday season, relishing in the joy, hope, and camaraderie it brings, the abrupt end to Christmas can leave us feeling disoriented, as if we’re questioning whether the festivities ever truly took place. This experience often manifests as a form of grief.

Yes, for Christmas enthusiasts, the absence of our favorite holiday is genuinely mourned. In the weeks following Santa’s departure back to the North Pole, we might find ourselves trudging through the remnants of celebratory chaos, caught in a daze of withdrawal. If this sounds familiar, you might just see yourself reflected in these seven stages of post-Christmas melancholy. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey!

1. Shock or Disbelief
   “Wait. Is that really it?! After two months of planning, it’s just… over? How can this be?!” You might stand frozen in your living room, staring vacantly at a mountain of unwrapped toys and discarded wrapping paper, feeling the weight of the mess without truly processing it. A trip to the kitchen for the last of the eggnog (heavily spiked, of course) may ensue, but even that won’t quite satisfy your longing.
2. Denial
   “I’m totally fine. I’m relieved I don’t have to remember to move that pesky elf around anymore.” Suddenly, you might find yourself in the holiday decor aisle at the store (“How did I end up here?”), picking up discounted lights and sparkly wrapping paper, and returning home to your partner, exclaiming, “Look at all the money I saved on these!”
3. Anger
   “Did no one notice how hard I worked to make Christmas magical? What a bunch of ungrateful people!” You may find yourself tossing away leftover casserole just to get back at your snoozing partner or shoving new toys into a corner, feeling frustrated that your kids can’t clean up after themselves. It seems as though everyone around you is simply annoying.
4. Bargaining
   “Next year, I swear I’ll wait until after Thanksgiving to set up the tree. Just give me one more day!” Deep down, you know you’ll be decorating before Thanksgiving again, just like every year, posting pictures on social media with captions like, “I know it’s early, but I can’t help myself!” Your friends may roll their eyes, but you’ll take pride in your festive spirit.
5. Guilt
   “The Christmas tree is just sitting out there, lifeless and alone…” You’ll regret not taking one last deep breath of its fragrant branches or not fully appreciating the twinkling lights. You might beat yourself up for forgetting to move the elf or for listening to the radio instead of holiday tunes. You feel like you could have done so much more, and now it’s all over.
6. Depression
   “I’ll never be able to pack this string of lights back the way they were when I first bought them. What even is happiness anymore?” At this stage, nothing anyone says will help lift your spirits. And just as a cherry on top, your credit card bill arrives, reminding you of the holiday splurges. Just know that brighter days are ahead, my friend. Keep pushing through.
7. Acceptance and Hope
   “Wow, these storage bins really are practical. Look how nicely my wrapping supplies fit under the bed! And hey, at least we can finally return the chair to its rightful place.” You might vacuum up the last of the pine needles and find a spot for all those odd-shaped toys your kids begged for but now ignore. Slowly, you’ll stop humming “Jingle Bells” and start thinking about the lesser holidays ahead, which are merely a countdown to next Christmas.

So, which stage are you currently experiencing?

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In summary, the post-Christmas blues can feel overwhelming, but recognizing the stages of this emotional journey can help you navigate through the aftermath of the holiday season. Embrace acceptance and find new joys in the year ahead!