When the Holiday Glow Fades, Couples Therapy Can Help You Reset
Holidays, holidays, and it's after the holidays. Life can feel strange, going from the joy of the holiday season, with holiday celebrations and connecting regularly with family and friends, to right back into a routine. The holiday season tends to be busy for most people, especially couples, as they coordinate time for family, shopping, and decorating. Your relationship may have fallen to the bottom of your priority list, or the stress of the holidays may have weighed heavily on it, leading to arguments, misunderstandings, or silent treatment.
December may have been filled with balancing family/friend obligations, a temporarily adjusted routine, and some inevitable stress. Add to it possible financial stress, anxiety around seeing family, or the expectation to feel happy, and the attention you usually pay to your relationship went right out the window.
Now that the holiday season is done, take some time to decompress. The range of emotions we feel at holidays can be tiring and overwhelming, so take time to slow down and reflect on what you may be feeling. Your feelings are valid. Getting back into your routine can take time, so give yourself some grace.
Reflect on your relationship. What went well? What did not go so well? And what fell off the rails? Did stress come between you and your partner? How can you prioritize your relationship moving forward?
The new year is a great time to reflect on your priorities and goals for the future. As you reflect on your goals and intentions for yourself this new year, give space to reflect on your relationship as well. If the holiday season was a challenge for your relationship, or if you are feeling stressed out, dissatisfied, unheard, or misunderstood, couples therapy is a great way to reset your relationship for the upcoming year.
The Lunar zodiac assigns symbolic meanings to each year. Twenty-twenty-five (2025) was the Year of the Snake. The Year of the Snake is associated with wisdom and transformation. Just as snakes shed their skin, we humans can reflect on our lives and let go of what doesn't serve us. For example, you could declutter your home, reflect on your relationships (romantic, familial, work), let go of what you're tolerating, or clean your emotional house. Take these last couple of days of this year to reflect on what may no longer be serving you, and let it go.
Twenty-twenty-six (2026) ushers in the Year of the Horse. It focuses on motivation and initiative, reflected in confidence. The Year of the Horse brings you a restored ambition to act on things you may have been avoiding. Twenty-twenty-six (2026) is the time to try new things, reconnect with family and friends, embrace the unknown, say yes to new challenges, pursue a new relationship, or work on the one you're in.
Couples therapy can help you prioritize your relationship this new year. In couples therapy, you will address the deep stuff and create new and healthy ways to connect and work better together. You will walk away with effective communication strategies, an understanding of what you and your partner want from your relationship, healed resentment and restored trust, and a stronger connection with yourself and your partner.
Contact Ania to schedule a session.