It might be Christmas day, but the post-holiday blues can hit you at any time during the holiday season. Here’s how to deal with those feelings.

I know, Christmas wrapping paper and piles of dishes litter the house, but that doesn’t mean we can’t suffer from post-holiday blues. Sometimes the stress of preparing for a big event, along with misguided expectations of how our event will play out can set us up for a big emotional fall. And if we struggle to remain the present, we often miss the small moments that create the best memories.

Kicking yourself for any of the above won’t help. It will only make you feel worse. Even if your holiday dinner burns (or the dog steals the turkey) or Uncle Bob has a viterperous argument with Cousin Edward over politics, you can choose what you focus on. And I choose to focus on what I can control: myself and my emotions. I’ve spent a lot of time the past year learning to give up control over that which I can’t control.

For me, control looks a lot like responsibility. I’m not responsible for Uncle Bob or Counsin Edward. My children’s actions (they’re both adults) belong to my children. I don’t have to LIKE their decisions or actions, but I don’t have to take responsibility for them, either.

Looking back, the times I’ve succumbed to post-holiday blues involve the times when I tried to take control and responsibility for everyone else and failed to manage my own attitude.

Do you find yourself struggling with post-holiday blues? What go-to solutions do you use? I’d love to hear from you!

For years I thought I needed to set New Year’s resolutions. No more! I’ve thrown off the tyranny of unreleastic expectations. You can, too!

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