Emotional Clean Up After the Holidays

Now that we have savored the holidays, there is some clean-up to do. Not just putting away the decorations and finding homes for new items, but also some emotional clean-up.

Think of when you cook a delicious meal—there’s so much to enjoy, but there’s always some work to be done. The pans often have bits stuck to them, and if you leave them, they dry and harden, making the job tougher later. That’s why soaking helps: a little water and soap let things loosen in their own time without you having to scrub right away.

In the same way, the holidays can leave behind emotional residue that starts to stick if we don’t tend to it. What do you find yourself carrying, emotionally, after the holidays?

• Did your mom make a comment about your house that left you livid, but you never addressed it?
• Any resentment over the thoughtful gift you gave your spouse, and in return, you were handed a generic gift card?
• Or perhaps this overall general burnout of depleting yourself year after year and wanting it to be different.

Wherever you are and whatever you are feeling, I’ve got something for you. It’s the three steps of Joyful Support.

1. Story. What’s going on in your life right now, or what are you thinking about that is consuming a lot of your mental energy? Getting clear on your story can help identify what may feel stuck.

2. Joy. What’s something good? It’s easier to see the things that aren’t going the way we want and to focus on them. The dumpster fire grabs our attention quicker than the bloom on the flower. It takes intention to refocus and zoom in on something that brings you joy. Not talking big, winning-the-lottery here, but small like you saw a dog carrying a big stick type joy.

3. Taking a step. What’s the tiniest way to move forward? This could mean physically moving around by going for a walk or dancing. Or, figuring out the next step to take toward a solution in some area of your life.

The three steps are the soap-and-water for our emotions—an easy way in to dealing with what’s stuck before it hardens. The steps aren’t a magic recipe for solving all your problems. What they are is a tool to break free from feeling paralyzed and overwhelmed, to see a way forward, and feel that you have the fuel to do it.

An example of the steps:

Story: I feel overwhelmed with all that needs to be done in the next week.

Joy: This morning, I saw the most beautiful colors in the sky, and I took a moment to enjoy them.

Step: I’m going to write down all the things that need to be done, along with their importance and due dates.

The great news is that there is no wrong way to do these steps! By yourself, with a friend, on paper, out loud, once, twice, two hundred times—it all works!

If you’re curious to experience this in person—or know someone who would benefit—there will be a gathering where we’ll practice the tool together. On Wednesday, January 28th at 6:00 pm, at Petal & Hive in Saratoga Springs, I’ll be leading a Joy Circle. It’s an hour to slow down, check in with yourself, and feel supported by simply being in community. You’ll walk away feeling lighter, more connected, and more grounded. When we do this work together, we create space for both personal reflection and collective care.

And don’t worry—you don’t have to share anything heavy. We can start small with that snarky comment from your mom, or you’re welcome to just sit and observe. Truly, there is no wrong way to care for yourself with Joyful Support.

Joy Circle Details + Registration:
https://village.joyfulsupportmovement.com/events/2E9A58