The Silence After the Storm

Hi there. Welcome to Canadian Senior Moment.

We made it. The turkey is finally eaten, the wrapping paper is in the recycling bin, and the relatives have gone home (or hung up the phone). The calendar says “January,” and the world expects us to be fresh, energized, and ready to tackle 2026.

But if you woke up this morning feeling a little… empty? You aren’t alone.

There is a very real phenomenon known as the “Post-Holiday Let down.” For weeks, our bodies and brains have been running on high-octane adrenaline. We’ve been planning, shopping, cooking, traveling, and socializing. Even if you had a quiet Christmas, the sheer noise of the season is exhausting. Now, that adrenaline has worn off, and what’s left is just a quiet Tuesday in January.

It is tempting to look at this flatness and think something is wrong. We tell ourselves, “Shouldn’t I be happy? It’s a fresh start!” But think of it like a long-haul drive. When you finally pull the truck into the yard and turn off the engine after a 12-hour run, you don’t immediately feel ready to run a marathon. You feel the fatigue that you were ignoring while you were keeping your eyes on the road.

So, for this first real week of the New Year, let’s make a deal. Let’s ignore the commercials telling us to join a gym or deep-clean the basement today. Instead, let’s just appreciate the silence. The house is still. The obligations are done. You have earned the right to just sit in your chair and listen to the clock tick for a minute. The energy will come back. But for today, it’s okay to just coast.

Our Shared Wisdom Do you experience that “flat” feeling after the holidays, or do you feel relieved to get back to routine? Do you have a special ritual for your first quiet day alone?

Your turn: Hit reply and share your thoughts! We read every response and often feature reader stories in future articles.

Looking Ahead Tomorrow we’ll talk about why “Resolutions” might be the wrong approach for us this year, and suggest a kinder alternative.

Warmly,
Bill and Marilyn,
Founders of Canadian Senior Moment