Unwrapping Holiday Fatigue, New Year's Blues, and Seasonal Funk [Episode 23]

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . It’s the hap-happiest season of all.”

So says a classic song of the holiday season. But is it?

A lesser known Christmas song by Dean Martin sheds a little light on what some folks — regardless of their religious affiliation — might be feeling this time of year, when commercials push family togetherness and talk of New Year's resolutions start in full swing:

The Christmas Blues by Dean Martin

The jingle bells are jingling
The streets are white with snow
The happy crowds are mingling
But there's no one that I know
I'm sure that you'll forgive me
If I don't enthuse
I guess I've got the Christmas blues

I've done my window shopping
There's not a store I've missed
But what's the use of stopping
When there's no one on your list
You'll know the way I'm feeling
When you love and you lose

I guess I've got the Christmas blues
When somebody wants you
Somebody needs you
Christmas is a joy of joy
But friends, when you're lonely
You'll find that it's only
A thing for little girls and little boys

May all your days be merry
Your seasons full of cheer
But 'til it's January
I'll just go and disappear

Oh Santa may have brought you some stars for your shoes
But Santa only brought me the blues
Those brightly packaged tinsel covered Christmas blues
Oh Santa may have brought you some stars for your shoes

But Santa only brought me the blues
Those brightly packaged tinsel covered Christmas blues

This week, we're not pretending that, for some of us, this time of year is a jingle bell-decked cake walk. Instead, we're leaning into the discomfort, loneliness, and stress some of us may be feeling as we look ahead to the new year. Rest assured, if any part of those lyrics resonated with you, you're certainly not alone. Heck, the last thing this holiday season is for me this year is normal, so I'm right there with you. 

So, gather 'round, friends. Your feelings, whatever they may be (anger, fear, lack of connection), are entirely valid. Now, let's talk about how we can move forward through this season together — perhaps with different perspectives.

Questions We Discuss

• How do George and I struggle with the holiday season?

• What is it about this time of year that creates so much artificial pressure to be joyous and goal-oriented? How much of this pressure is external? How much of it do we create for ourselves?

• When you're just not feeling the holiday season, how do we navigate it? 

• Why do we have such complex feelings about New Year's resolutions?

• How would we encourage folks who struggle with New Year's resolutions, and the idea of a new year feels more overwhelming and daunting, to think about 2024? 

Key Takeaways

• Reframe your expectations and create new traditions during the holiday season.

• Take time for yourself and simplify your to-do list.

• Connect with your why and be honest about your feelings.

• Avoid the pressure to conform to societal expectations and focus on what brings you joy.

• Instead of setting New Year's resolutions, strive for continuous personal growth throughout the year. Change your perspective on New Year's and view it as a fresh start rather than a time to fix past failures.

• Set monthly goals instead of overwhelming resolutions.

• Align your priorities and expectations to ensure they are in harmony.

• Embrace the present moment and appreciate the progress you have made.

• Believe in yourself and make 2024 the year of self-love.

Holiday + New Year's Statistics

The holiday season sparks conflicting feelings as over two in five U.S. adults (43%) would use both positive and negative words to describe the holidays, and 72% agree that the holiday season can feel bittersweet. Four in five adults (80%) would describe the holidays in positive terms such as fun (50%), joyous (49%), or exciting (45%), while 63% would use negative words such as stressful (40%), overwhelming or exhausting (34% each).

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