The start of the holidays can feel strange before it feels good.
This isn’t ingratitude - it’s adjustment.
Removing a routine, even a welcome one, asks the nervous system to recalibrate. That takes a few days.
For children:
If the holidays feel wobbly at first, try:
Naming it: “This feels strange, not bad. My brain just needs a few days to get used to a new rhythm.”
Starting small: You don’t have to do something exciting straight away. A quiet day is allowed.
Trusting it will settle: The wobbly feeling usually gets smaller after a day or two.
For grown-ups:
This week, try:
Naming the adjustment rather than just the mood. “The first few days of holidays can feel strange for everyone.”
Resisting the urge to fill every hour immediately. A few slower days first often helps everyone settle before busier ones.
Offering loose structure, rather than none at all: breakfast, some outside time, a quiet bit.
Giving yourself the same grace. Your own routines have shifted too. Your adjustment matters as much as theirs.
🌱 A grounding moment - try this together
Sit somewhere comfortable, together if you can.
Take one slow breath.
Say out loud: “Things feel different right now. That’s okay. We’ll find our rhythm.”
Let the wobble be there, without rushing it away. 🫶
