“Hooray, hooray, it’s the holi-, holidays” as sung by Boney M always plays in my head as the delicious December days roll by. But what do we sing when the first week of January comes marching in? I suspect most of us either grumble or moan as we force ourselves back to the salt mines.
The Blue temperament copes with the pressure of the end of the holidays by withdrawing. They become lost in their to-do-lists and planning schedules. They become anxious because they don’t have access to the necessary detail to have a perfect January because so many other people are still in vacation mode.
The Greens become quieter as the people around them become less peaceful. They tend to make themselves scarce as they know tasks and responsibilities will be handed to them. They need more time to gird their loins and will probably feel up to the new schedule around Valentine’s Day as long as they can avoid conflict.
The ones who suffer the most are the Yellows. They thoroughly enjoyed the freedom from routines and partying with friends, old and new. All they want to do is continue to laugh and joke and tell stories of their adventures, but everybody else is serious and focused on the schedules, meetings and budgets that stifle all the fun in life.
The only ones whistling while they work are the Reds. I am sure a few of them are genuinely grateful that the nonsense of the holidays is over and most of them are happy to be effective and productive again. Their only stress is managing all the lazy bums who are slow to return to work.
You can, however, lessen the stresses of January before you go on holiday. Yes, I know, nothing is more of a drag than planning for your return to work and your daily routine before you’ve even had your days of fun in the sun. But make this coming vacation the one where your return is sorted and in place before you switch off so that you can truly have a happy new year.
The Reds are, of course, excluded and can continue as normal, but with one request: Please respect the fact that other temperaments start the year slower and more careful than you. Please use your vacation to plan how you are going to be supportive and tactful.
Yellows, you can ensure that you arrange social events for your free time in January so that you have something to look forward to on the day of your return. Make it your new year’s resolution to accept the quiet and reserved greetings and find the one person you can share your holiday memories with to remind you there are more holidays to come.
Greens, plan ahead of time when you can be as alone and as quiet as you need in January. Explain to your family that you need time to process the return to work or your normal schedule. At work or in your daily schedule you will need to put on a more energetic mask and this will be tiring for you. You must focus even more on eating healthy and exercising regularly than the other temperaments.
Whatever temperament you have, use your holiday to keep a gratitude journal. There will be plenty to write about and keep at hand for your return. Nothing alleviates anxiety and stress as much as memories of the good times you had – and will have again.
