A Fresh Start: Reflecting on Christmas, New Year, and Getting Back to Routine

Thursday, the 2nd of January, marks my first blog post of the year. It feels much longer than just over a week since my last entry on the 23rd of December. The festive season has flown by, filled with moments of joy, relaxation, and, admittedly, a touch of fatigue.
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Christmas Eve was spent at my sister's house, where we enjoyed a small buffet and a few drinks with family. The evening wrapped up early, allowing everyone to return home and prepare for the big day. Christmas morning was lovely. My daughter was thrilled with her gifts and the money she received from both me and our family.

This year, Christmas dinner was at my sister's, shared with her kids, my dad, and my daughter. It was a cosy family gathering, just how I like it. The evening was quiet and relaxed back at home, which was much needed after a bustling day.

Boxing Day was another chance to connect with loved ones. We headed to the local pub for an hour, continuing the festive tradition with my dad, sister, daughter, and my sister's children. After that, the days between Christmas and New Year were mostly spent at home, catching up on rest. I started to feel a slight flu creeping in, but thankfully it passed quickly. Looking back, I think I was just exhausted from the excitement of the season.

New Year’s Eve was a quiet one for me, as it usually is. My daughter was working her part-time job, so I saw in the new year alone. With my 40th birthday on the horizon next year, I’ve found that quieter celebrations suit me better these days. My sister had suggested we all go for an Indian meal that evening, but none of us had the energy to follow through.

New Year’s Day was a bit livelier. We visited the pub again, this time joined by my cousin and her fiancé. When the pub closed early, we moved on to another one for a final drink and a quick meal. It was a nice way to wrap up the festive season.

Yesterday was a day of resetting. I packed away the Christmas tree and decorations, marking the official end of the holiday period. Today, I eased back into my usual routine. As it’s Thursday, I went food shopping with my mom. After weeks of indulgence, we still have an abundance of leftover snacks, sweets, and drinks from Christmas, so today’s shop was focused on fresh produce and meats.

Once the shopping was done, I unpacked everything and took some time to clean and tidy the house. A load of washing is on, and I’m looking forward to a bit of downtime playing Football Manager before deciding on my evening meal. Though I’m unsure what’s on the menu, it’ll likely be something simple yet satisfying.

After dinner, I plan to have an early night to settle back into a more structured routine after the chaos of the holidays. It’s been a wonderful festive period, but there’s something comforting about returning to a sense of normality.

I hope everyone reading this had a fantastic Christmas and New Year. Wishing you all the best for the year ahead—let’s make it a good one.