8 Post-Christmas Tips to Start the New Year Fresh and Motivated
Christmas holidays are the time to set goals for the new year and look forward to positive change. In this article, we will share simple tips to get back on track after the holidays and start the year fresh and productive.
The New Year symbolizes a fresh start and a chance to leave behind the mistakes from past years. Indeed, starting the new year meaningfully and with purpose can make all the difference, motivating you for change and self-improvement. Here are the simple ways to organize after holidays start the year with a clean state.
Review the previous year
Before you start setting goals, take the time to review and reflect on the previous year. Think about the biggest challenges you faced, the goals you achieved, and the lessons learned.
Here are some good questions to ask yourself:
1. What achievements do I proud of most?
2. What would I do differently if I had a chance?
3. What went well last year?
4. What were the biggest life lessons?
5. What activities and projects do I want to continue with?
It also helps to make a list of gratitude. Write down the list of everything you’re thankful for – events, achievements, happy moments, people around you, and big wins. This list will keep you positive and remind you to be thankful for the great things you already have.
Set goals
After you’ve analyzed and reflected on the past year, it’s time to look into the future. Write a list of goals that you’d like to achieve this year and in five or ten years from now. Think about which of these goals are the top priority for you in 2025 and commit yourself to achieving them.
Tips to set achievable goals in 2025
- Be realistic. Don’t plan to get married if you’re not in a relationship or lose thirty pounds in three months. Such ambitious goals often lead to discouragement.
- Limit the number of goals. Focus on 2-3 main goals – it will help you gradually achieve them without getting overwhelmed.
- Turn goals into tasks. List specific tasks you need to complete and set time frames for them.
- Create a vision board. To visualize your goals and remind yourself about them every day, put the images on a board.
- Track progress. Use an app or a paper diary to track your progress and correct your actions if necessary.
You can find more tips on making your New Year’s goals and resolutions work in our article below.
Declutter the place after holidays
Our environment affects the way we feel and act. Decluttering and organizing your space will help you become more productive and feel like you are starting a new chapter in your life.
Tips to declutter your home after the holidays
- Pack away Christmas décor. Pack all ornaments, stockings, fairy lights, and garlands into the boxes. Label all boxes to easily find the décor you need next year.
- Take baby steps. Cleaning up and organizing the entire home or apartment can seem a daunting task. So, you’ll want to start small – clean one shelf or a closet. It will help you get into the right mood and clean the rest of the room.
- Donate or discard things you don’t need. As you clean your space after the holidays, look through your items. Donate those in good condition to a local charity, and toss broken or old things.
- Return unwanted presents. If your aunt gave you another set of useless photo frames or funny flip-flops you’d never wear, return or donate them. No need to keep things that will gather dust on the shelf!
- Incorporate winter design elements. If your space needs a fresh touch, use white or creamy items, natural and wooden elements, or layer textures. A couple of soft lamps, knit or faux fur throws, and silver vases can completely transform the room.
Clean up your inbox
Your digital space needs a cleanup, too. Start with cleaning up your inbox. Delete old and unnecessary messages. Unsubscribe from newsletters or promotions you’re no longer interested in, and create folders for different types of emails. A clean, uncluttered inbox will keep you stress-free and help you find the messages you need faster.
You can go even further and clean up your social media accounts: delete old subscriptions, and unfollow people and influencers you no longer find interesting. Close accounts you don’t use. It will keep your digital space focused and minimize distractions.
Prioritize physical activity
Exercise gives you the energy to pursue the goals you’ve set. Exercising reduces the risk of a wide range of diseases, including depression, anxiety, obesity, high blood pressure, and cancer. Regular exercise also boosts your mood and helps you stay in shape, both of which are essential when you return to your regular schedule after the holidays.
Here is how to include exercising in your daily routine:
- Choose the activity you enjoy – whether it’s jogging, cycling, gym, yoga, stretching, or swimming, doing the exercise you like will help you stay motivated.
- Start gradually – if you haven’t exercised before, start with 15 minutes a day and gradually increase the duration.
- Drink plenty of water – have a bottle of water with you to avoid dehydration.
- Track your progress – use a fitness tracker or a paper notebook to record the duration of your exercise and watch your progress over time.
Find ways to treat yourself
Christmas holidays can be a busy time with family gatherings, guests coming over, attending friends’ parties, and keeping kids entertained. Quite often, after the holidays we feel exhausted rather than energized.
To avoid this, plan some time to indulge yourself. It doesn’t have to be something expensive or extravagant. Choose simple, healthy ways to take care of your body and mind and do something enjoyable.
Simple ways to indulge yourself
1. Get a massage twice a month
2. Take a bubble bath and light a scented candle
3. Buy your favorite sweet treats
4. Start a new skincare routine for your face and body
5. Spend an evening reading a book with a cup of herbal tea
6. Express yourself through painting, drawing or knitting.
Plan quality time with your loved ones
It’s important to allocate a few hours to spend quality family time even when you are busy. Spending time together creates lifelong memories, strengthens family ties, and is helpful for the emotional development of your kids.
Plan time for family activities on holidays and make it a tradition for the next year. Plan something special for this family time, such as playing board games, ice skating, hiking, movie night, puzzle night, or bowling. Spending time with your loved ones will keep your life balanced and improve your relationships in the next year.
Random acts of kindness
Christmas is the time to be kind and help other people. Yet, why not continue being nice to others after the holidays? Even simple acts of kindness can make people around you happier and brighten your day. Here are the ideas of how you can be kind to others during holidays and beyond:
- Donate old clothes and toys to a local charity
- Compliment a friend, family member, or a stranger
- Shovel your neighbor’s driveway
- Work at the soup kitchen
- Pay for someone’s order in a coffee shop
- Send a handwritten letter to a friend or family member
- Bake cookies for coworkers
- Make a charitable donation.
These holiday recovery tips will help you summarize the last year, declutter after the holidays, and start the new year with a clean state. Maintain these practices to make 2025 your best year ever and stay on track to achieve your goals!
FAQ's
How do I transition from holiday mode back into my regular routine?
Return to your traditional routine gradually. Don't jump back into your ordinary workload at full swing. Ease back into your normal wake-up time and work tasks. Plan a few less for the first few days after holidays to catch up, set goals and priorities, and re-establish the routine without being overwhelmed.
What are simple financial tips to recover from holiday spending?
Reassess your financial situation first. Review credit card statements and accounts to realize how much you spent. Create a realistic budget for the next months and prioritize paying off the debt you may have accumulated. Think about where you can cut off expenses, such as eating out or non-essential purchases.
How can I improve my productivity after the holidays?
Start slowly and don't expect to work at 100% efficiency. Set goals for the next three and six months at work. Break down larger tasks into smaller chunks and address the top-priority ones in the first place. Declutter your workspace and take regular breaks to smoothly transition to your working routine.
