Santa came. And went.
And all you’re left with is broken ornament shards ground into the carpet, more candy canes than even Rudolf would know what to do with, and the petrifying possibility that a perfect, heart-stopping New Years kiss with a Brad Pitt look-a-like might possibly NOT be in your future. Hopefully you’re left with a few spiffy new gifts too, but who can think of those at such a worrisome time of the year? This is serious emotional stuff we’re dealing with here.
So if you’re weepy, cranky, melancholy or any other unattractive emotion that turns otherwise likable people into sad-sacks around this time of year, here are a few suggestions to perk up even the worst case of post-holiday depression. Because after all, sad-sacks are not only lame to hang out with, but they definitely don’t get New Years kisses at the stroke of midnight.
Blog it out. I’ve always thought that personal blogs were the online equivalent of the obnoxious letters that some people (you know who you are) send out with their Christmas cards, updating the world on Little Johnny’s star performance on the football field and Princess Suzy’s acceptance to Harvard. Harsh but true: nobody (with exception to your mother and that creepy kid from fourth grade who still stalks your Facebook profile) cares about every detail of your life. I think that’s also why I have such a hard time grasping the concept of Twitter… seriously? You went to the supermarket and saw a potato that looks like Homer Simpson? Sweet, thanks for letting the entire world know, you weirdo. But I digress. Personal blogs can actually be a pretty therapeutic way to get all those yucky post-holiday emotions out into the universe and start getting back to the normal, fun and interesting person that we all know you are. Plus, your friends and family don’t have to listen to you whine and mope. Tell it to the blog. The blog won’t judge. The blog won’t tell you to suck it up and stop ruining everyone else’s fun. The blog won’t scold you for eating an entire carton of ice cream while watching Glee reruns. Probably no one will read it, and those who do accidentally stumble upon it might not really care that you’re feeling lousy, but you’ll feel better. I promise. And if you don’t, this post has two more tips, so go try those.
Get out and/or plan some stuff. Okay, so that’s a little vague… but when was the last time you went ice skating? Round up a group of people and plan an outing to your local rink. Watching your friends faceplant on the ice will no doubt bring a smile to even the grouchiest Grinch. Still searching for New Years plans? Don’t wait around to be invited somewhere… throw your own party! The planning will keep your mind off the naked, dying Christmas tree in the trash heap and the anticipation of your amazing event will totally alleviate your holiday hangover symptoms.
Retail Therapy. Maybe you didn’t quite make Santa’s nice list this year and that zebra-print Snuggie you had your heart set on wasn’t under the tree on Christmas morning. Sorry. It’s a bummer that you’ll be stuck using a regular blanket without sleeves. Hope your arms don’t get too cold. But I’ve learned, through many years of research and testing, that the best gifts are usually the ones with the tags that read “from me, to ME.” So gather up that Christmas cash, search out the receipt for those crazy toe-socks that Aunt Mildred thought “looked just like you” and go get something nice for yourself… possibly at a cute little boutique with both Raleigh and Winston-Salem locations? I know of a good one…
Ah, the joy of warm arms!
This article brought to you by Winston-Salem’s own shopgirl-extraordinaire, Jaci Gentile.
