How to Slow Down After the Holidays: 9 Cozy Winter Ideas

We’re finishing up that dreamy, in-between week where time feels completely fake. The week where everyone suffers from time blindness, and all we want to do is lie down and veg for a few days before starting in on our New Year’s goals and new routines.

This is my little guide on how to take it easy, show some kindness to yourself, and cozy up with a few lovely winter ideas before jumping full force back into work mode.

Table of Contents

How to Slow Down After the Holidays: 9 Cozy Winter Ideas

Journal

Being grateful after the holiday season is a given. You’re hyped up on all the new gifts you’ve received and maybe feeling a little low once friends and family head back home. This time of year is peculiar. We often go from loud, chaotic, love-filled days to stone-cold quiet almost overnight.

I find the best thing to do for my mental health during this time is to write about it. I start by heavily noting what I’m thankful for before jumping into everything I want to accomplish in the New Year. It’s okay to take a moment to process the holiday joy before throwing yourself into the hustle and grind of new routines, goals, and expectations for the New Year.

Read

This is my favorite way to do downtime by myself. I love grabbing the library book I always say I’m going to read during the holidays (and never do) and find a nice, quiet place to lounge and read for an entire afternoon.

Lately, I’ve pivoted toward mystery thrillers and murder mysteries over romance. I think I’m just happy living life in HD rather than reading about it. A few of the books on my TBR this month are:

Take a Bubble Bath

When was the last time you stretched, friend? Or rested those well-used holiday gift-wrapping muscles? Sometimes a bubble bath is the easiest way to slow your heart rate after the holidays.

It’s a gentle way to let your body rest, your mind relax, and to practice a little extra self-care, especially if you’re an extroverted introvert like me.

Watch Old Movies

This one’s a given for me. I love watching old, tried-and-true favorites during this slow stretch. As much as I love a good plot twist, right now I just want to veg out.

A few classics I always reach for this time of year:

While You Were Sleeping
Sleepless in Seattle

Buy New Year’s Calendars and Planners

If you saw my The Ultimate Cozy Girl Holiday Wishlist: Small Business Edition post, I found a gorgeous watercolor movie houses calendar featuring homes from Practical Magic (!), Home Alone, You’ve Got Mail, and Father of the Bride.

A few others I found are this Bucket List Calendar (complete with little stickers!), a Cozy Café Watercolor Calendar, and this Hand Drawn Vintage Tea Pot calendar.

As you already know, my favorite planners are from Day Designer. They’re currently offering 25% off for the New Year, and I’ll be sharing a full review soon. I mainly use mine to organize blog life, but it often spills into fitness tracking and gentle reminders. Decorating it with stickers is half the fun.

Have an Easygoing Outing

Get out of the house and find a casual and cozy exploration. This could be visiting a museum in a small sister town or finding a winter outdoor market somewhere. Personally, I love going out to breakfast really early in the morning before the rush or visiting a bookstore or the library to get in some quality reading time.

Buy the Gifts You Didn’t Get

I don’t recommend the mall (it’ll be packed with gift card shoppers and returns), but now is the perfect time to pick up the things you wanted for yourself. If you’re on a no-spend month (which I will be partaking in again soon), try putting all your items on a list and wait a month to see what you really want.

Walk (Even in the Cold)

Getting out for a walk not only makes you feel a little less lazy, but it’s also great for burning off a few of those extra calories you ate over the past month. 😅 I love walking through parks, down by the waterfront, and also just around my cutie little neighborhood.

Sometimes the easiest walks are the most fun and memorable. Don’t forget your cup of tea (I love The Tea Spot), and invite a friend!

Book a Self Care Day

When all else fails, consider treating yourself to a self-care day. I don’t splurge on things like massages often, but this season was a lot. It’s okay to indulge every once in a while.

If you’re not into booking a professional spa day, consider making one at home!

Okay friends – wishing you a gentle transition back into real life. May your coffee stay extra hot, your mind feel a little clearer, and your post-holiday days be filled with peace and softness. 💋