It’s that time of the year between Christmas and New Year, where days seem to lose their usual meaning.
When I was little, I called them ‘floaty days’
This fun cartoon by @yeahitschill on Instagram sums these days very nicely.
It reads
December 26th-December 30h
“What day is it?
What time is it?
“Do I need a shiny dress”
“I need to eat a vegetable.”
5 reasons why the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve can feel strange when you are living with ADHD
1. The “In-Between” Feeling
You might feel afloat or unanchored during these days because they aren’t part of the festive celebrations, and you haven’t returned back to ‘normal’ life yet either.
This ambiguity can feel especially unsettling if you thrive on structure.
2. Post-Holiday Crash
After Christmas’s excitement, preparation, and high energy, there is often a dopamine drop afterward.
The post-holiday lull can lead to feelings of sadness, boredom, or disappointment.
3.Change of Routine
The structured routine of work, school, and other scheduled activities is distributed, which shakes up your daily rhythm.
Without external structure, it can be hard for people with ADHD to stay focused, motivated, or productive.
4. Helpful ADHD Routines
During the holidays, you might also be out of sync with your regular sleep and exercise schedule and eating patterns, all of which help your ADHD.
5. Social or Sensory Overload
For some ADHDers, the holidays can overload their senses. Even if you enjoy the extra social gatherings, lights, and festive sounds, you can feel drained and appreciate some downtime.
However! you might also feel some internal conflict and feel like you ‘should’ be doing things.
Now you know why you don’t feel like yourself or uneasy during these days. Here are some things that help:
Establish a Mini-Routine:
Create a loose structure for these floaty days to have some direction each day. It’s the same principle as a ‘semi structured’ weekend, which you can read about here.
Plan something to look forward to early in the New Year.
This helps with reduce a post-holiday crash.
Prioritize Rest and Recharge:
Take this time to replenish your energy without feeling guilty about downtime. If you need a pep talk about why relaxing is important read this article! Remind yourself it’s OK to say no to additional plans and reset.
Tackle Small Tasks:
Break tasks into manageable steps. Completing one small thing feels rewarding, gives you a boost, and helps you shake off any blah feelings you have.
Fun Activities:
Think of fun-for-you activities to do during these days; this way, they can be memorial days rather than days to be ‘endured.’
Don’t let ADHD holiday downtime struggles derail your holidays! Find focus and motivation in the Untapped Brilliance Club. Click to learn more!
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