Do We Really Have to Be Cheerful Today? (Spoiler: No.)

The Day after Christmas

If you’re reading this the day after Christmas, there’s a good chance you’re tired.Not just “I stayed up too late” tired, but that deep, quiet tired that settles in after weeks of planning, shopping, cooking, hosting, traveling, smiling, remembering, missing, and holding it together.

And suddenly… it’s over.

The wrapping paper is in a bag. The cookies are mostly gone. The house is quieter. And instead of feeling joyful and refreshed, you might feel flat. Or foggy. Or emotional. Or just… done.

Let me say this gently, like I would if we were sitting across from each other with coffee in hand: You do not have to be cheerful today.

The Pressure to Stay Merry

There’s an unspoken rule during the holidays that once Christmas arrives, we’re supposed to stay bright, grateful, energized, and upbeat all the way through New Year’s. But that’s a lot to ask of a human nervous system.

For weeks, we run on anticipation and adrenaline. Then the big day arrives, for many, the day is full of noise, family, food, gifts, and more. And when it passes, the body and heart exhale. That exhale can feel like relief… or sadness… or exhaustion… or all three.

None of that means you’re ungrateful. None of that means you “did Christmas wrong.” It just means you’re human and you’re tired.

Dexter’s thought:

“Hey humans! I’m gonna chime in for a sec. Okay? After a big day, I nap. A LOT. No one questions it. Just saying.” 🐾

You’re Allowed to Choose Quiet

Today doesn’t have to be loud joy. It doesn’t have to be matching pajamas and leftover sparkle.

Today can be:

• Quiet coffee in your favorite mug

• A walk with no destination

• Sitting in stillness without fixing anything

• Letting yourself feel whatever shows up without judging it

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Joy doesn’t always look like a celebration. Sometimes it looks like rest.

When the Letdown Sneaks In

For some, the day after Christmas can carry a heaviness:

• A reminder of who wasn’t there

• The gap between expectations and reality

• The ache of “now what?”

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If that’s you, know this: the holiday ending does not mean hope has ended too. It just means the pace is changing.

You don’t have to rush into New Year energy. You don’t have to plan, improve, or reinvent anything today.

A Gentle Reframe

Instead of asking yourself, “Why don’t I feel happier?” Ask yourself, “What do I need today?”

Rest is not a failure. Quiet is not emptiness. Low energy is not laziness.

A Few Nuggets of Hope For You

• You don’t owe anyone cheerfulness when your soul needs rest.

• It’s okay if today is calm instead of bright.

• Rest now, the next chapter will come in its own time.

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So no, my friend. You do not have to be cheery and bright and tired. You can just be.

And if all you accomplish today is finishing your coffee while the world feels quiet, that’s more than enough, and you should count it as a win.

Dexter’s final thought: “It’s okay to lay around and do nothin. Take a nap, eat some snacks, take another nap. Cuz why not?” 🐾