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Original poster

To find the days in between Xmas and new year depressing?

133 replies

manboywomengirl · 27/12/2021 12:40

I don't mind Boxing Day but today I feel very blah and down in the dumps like I don't know what to do with myself. My daughter is at her dads till tomorrow so I'm going to the shop to get a few bits I need then home for a shower and some wine and dinner later on. However, I just feel like I should be doing something else. I feel antsy and unsure of what I am meant to be doing.

What is everyone else up to?

OP posts:
qualitygirl · 27/12/2021 15:55

I love them...they are the only days in the year where I feel like you can get away with relaxing, and just looking after yourself.

I love using all of Christmas smellies and watching movies...no work, no school...no commitments! Bliss!!

Joystir59 · 27/12/2021 15:54

I've ordered a fab Pair of tile nippers (I'm a mosaic artist) as my gift to myself

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 27/12/2021 15:52

I plan and start my New Year resolutions a bit early! Last year I started a healthier eating plan on about the 28th, worked really well. This year I need to get on with tidying/reorganizing so that's what I've planned, all listed out (or I'll forget it). It's silly to sit about for a week planning to start exercising or healthy eating or writing in another week's time, just get in there early and when you are not back at work.

U2HasTheEdge · 27/12/2021 15:42

I always book those days off work and use them to relax. It's so lovely.

Today I have just sat on the sofa reading my new books and having a nap. The children are either out with friends or in their rooms doing their own thing.

Tomorrow I will pick up some wool to start a crochet project and Wednesday I am out for a meal in the evening. Still have lots of lovely food and drink left to have over the next week too.

It's a time to recharge and enjoy things like reading, having naps, crafts or whatever it is you do.

Joystir59 · 27/12/2021 15:41

Chocs for breakfast and mince pies and Bailey's for lunch

aweebitlost · 27/12/2021 15:40

I love them but I must admit I hated them before having the kids. So I can understand why you feel blah if your daughter isn't there. What do you enjoy doing by yourself? I love being outdoors (and the DC need/enjoy it too) so our pattern for these days is - special breakfast, long walk, late lunch, film, supper, bath, bed, obviously with new books to be read, toys to be played with, etc. I find it very relaxing and, as others have said, a relief.

Grapewrath · 27/12/2021 15:39

I’m the same op I find these days boring and demotivating. I’ve booked some drinks etc with friends to break it up.

MrsBerthaRochester · 27/12/2021 15:36

I have ordered lots of books to be delivered tomorrow. Will lounge about in pjs eating crap and drinking prosecco.

RuleOfCat · 27/12/2021 15:35

@2reefsin30knots

I love them! Days when you can just completely do your own thing (if you are off work).

There is a novel called The Book of Dead Days suggesting they are "a strange, a quiet interlude, somehow outside the rest of the year, outside time itself."

That's a really interesting quotation, and it's fairly similar to the German concept for the week - zwischen den Jahren, literally ' between the years'. It's traditionally a time of quiet contemplation about the year that's passed and the year to come. It's supposed to be a magical time beyond the scope of normal life, with no obligations. Vegging out on the sofa with chocs and Netflix is basically an updated version of that. And fair enough.
beenthereboughtthetshirt · 27/12/2021 15:26

plus i got some essential oils so that is lovely to relax with nicely

Bigoldmachine · 27/12/2021 15:21

@stargirl1701

You are meant to be doing what suits you. Learning to 'just be' with yourself. It is a marked contrast to our over scheduled lives in the rest of the year.

Today I have made soup for lunch, helped DD1 with her crystal growing kit, read another chapter of Harry Potter to DD1, taken the dog for a walk and read the newspaper. No-one needs anything; the relief is sheer bliss.

I think I know now why I find these days long, boring and unsettling… I feel under scheduled! I make a big effort not to over schedule, I’ve found my balance in everyday life so when I’m faced with four days pretty much empty it’s too much. I think I need to plan a couple of things to do next year.

To be fair it would be different if I didn’t have small kids, I’d just sew all day!

Marianne1234 · 27/12/2021 15:16

Crimbo Limbo is the best week of the year 😍

BiscuitLover3678 · 27/12/2021 15:15

@AlbertBridge

I like this bit, especially if my presents have been books or stuff to do. I love the good TV and the food!

I don't like NYE. I find it depressing - ruminating over how little I achieved in the last year, and worrying if anything awful will happen in the next year. #party

I used to do this but I also found doing nothing could make it worse. Our new thing is to get lots of fun food and nibbles and watch a great film. Then go to bed exactly when you want :D never really liked the countdown, gives me stress for some reason.
BiscuitLover3678 · 27/12/2021 15:13

Lovely relaxed ‘me’ time. I know the feeling but really everyone is just doing nothing. Put something nice on the Tv, sort the house out, maybe nice bath and book? Good dinner and drink definitely. All relaxed and lovely, preparing for a fresh new year :)

AlbertBridge · 27/12/2021 15:07

I like this bit, especially if my presents have been books or stuff to do. I love the good TV and the food!

I don't like NYE. I find it depressing - ruminating over how little I achieved in the last year, and worrying if anything awful will happen in the next year. #party

KatherineJaneway · 27/12/2021 14:57

Cleaned up, had family visit for a few hours, had lunch then popped some washing on.

Hollyhead · 27/12/2021 14:49

Good god I love it, other than having to work I can’t work out why you wouldn’t? You can basically do what you like and it’s the only week of the year like it. Reading/Netflix/planning/sorting/craft/board games/puzzles/cooking/exercise (stick a you tube work out on if weather shit/call someone for a chat

PickledPeppa · 27/12/2021 14:44

I like that there are no expectations. It's a good time to relax and recharge before school and work start up again.

Happy birthday, dancingthroughthedark! Flowers

5foot5 · 27/12/2021 14:42

I like Twixmas too. No expectation of "special" meals. Today is largely a left-overs day - soup for lunch made out of turkey stock, dinner will be shepherds pie from left-over beef and then whatever is left of trifle.

Oh and I think it helps if your Christmas presents included some nice books and things to do. I have a timber kit to construct, the White House in Lego, a new jigsaw and another lovely craft kit. So plenty of indulgent readings and building in the days ahead.

AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken · 27/12/2021 14:38

I love this period!
I sort out all the kid’s clothes and our bathroom cupboards. I watch films and catch up on the tv I missed over Christmas. We visit family and friends. I do a bit of sales shopping. I have pamper days where I use the smellies I got for Christmas.
Today I’ve bought the few bits I wanted from the M&S sales, stripped all the sofa covers and cushions for a wash and sorted out the baby’s room.

GoodMorningMillicent · 27/12/2021 14:36

I love this period. It’s still Christmas - good food, lots of TV, no work for me, and a chance to properly relax.

I start getting the dread on NYE, though. I’ve never liked it as a ‘celebration’ anyway, but it also signals going back to work soon and cold, grey January & February with not much to look forward to.

Sunset999 · 27/12/2021 14:36

They are a but dull I agree but I am trying to enjoy stuff I don't normally have time to do, watch some films, dramas, sit on MN eating chocolate etc !

TheFallenMadonna · 27/12/2021 14:33

I think of it all as Christmas really.

Namechangedforspooky · 27/12/2021 14:32

I love them! But then have been working every day including today so Christmas starts now. Can finally relax and enjoy a bit of family time after all the stress of organising Christmas
Could you go out and about somewhere? A lot of the Christmas activities are still on this week

JustDanceAddict · 27/12/2021 14:27

We used to go away for at least one night, see friends, shopping etc but this year it’s so curtailed cos of covid - either people have it or we don’t want to go to crowded places. DS also has mocks so we can’t go away anyway.
The shite weather doesn’t help either!

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