Dealing with the Post-Christmas Blues

The Christmas season is over, and if you're like me, the end of the holidays is a bit sad and depressing. Especially with the thought of heading back to work tomorrow! No more holiday parties and events to look forward to, no more days to celebrate. Just cold, winter weather- and over 350 days until Christmas comes again.

So how to deal? My tips:

• Make new plans with friends and family. I already have two dinners scheduled with friends and know when I'll next visit my family. It will keep you in a festive mood!
• I always need something to look forward to or anticipate. Even if its something small, like a free Saturday, or big, like my next vacation.
• As much as I love the holidays, the post-Christmas months give me a chance to regain my schedule, organize, and declutter. Regardless of if you make resolutions or not, there is always something clean and nice about starting a new year! Take the time not spent running to and from obligations and parties and shopping to relax.
• Be thankful for the time you spent with friends and family and memories made. Maybe set your computer desktop or screensaver to a favorite picture from the holidays.
• Leave your Christmas tree or decorations up just a bit longer, if it makes you feel better. Just as it doesn't matter what others say or do as to how early you decorate, it doesn't matter how long you keep them up! Ditto with listening to Christmas music!

No matter what you try, though, keep in mind- a reason the holiday season is so anticipated is it only comes once a year. And it will come again in 2010! In the meantime, I've already seen Valentine's Day decorations up...

Do you have any tips for dealing with the post-Christmas blues?