It’s January and the post-Christmas sales have just about wrapped up. Many retailers have moved on to celebrate the next holiday, seemingly forgetting their just-finished bread-and-butter sales season. While you’re still finding pine needles in the corner of your house and staring at never-to-be-eaten candy canes, local stores are flush with pink and red hearts. The next gift-giving season is almost upon us.

The post-holiday blues, specifically after the trifecta through November and December, are also upon many Americans. According to “Those January Blues Are Real. Here’s How to Avoid Them,” by Constance Gustke, 10 million people in the United States deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD.)

Once the excitement of the holidays is over, and you are driving home from work in the dark at 5:00, it can be tough to get excited about a January day. With few Hallmark holidays to get excited about over the next few months (and incoming bills to remind you of the last one), it’s easy to understand why people feel a letdown.

Perhaps this is a good year to create something new to celebrate. My annual choir Christmas party was moved to January from December for more people to be able to attend. The last two years we tried to have a party in December, few people could come. This year, we are having a party in January at a local restaurant. Most choir members were relieved to have one less December event, and to have something to look forward to after the holidays. This is an easy way to have a get-together without pressure, gifts or any one person having to host.

One thing I heard from mid-November through the beginning of the new year was how busy people were. So now that we’ve turned the calendar page, can we enjoy the fact that we aren’t as busy? Maybe simplifying our lives is a good resolution. Easier said than done, I realize. There are a lot of factors that play into the sadness that can come after the holidays. Celebrating with few family members, a lot of family members, being single or married, with or without kids, being employed or unemployed…I’ve been through all those scenarios and each comes with its own challenges.

I’ve also heard people say that all the preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas is kind of pointless, as the actual celebration days only last for 24 hours. That viewpoint realistically plays into a feeling of sadness when the holidays end. However, no matter what time the sun sets or when the last Christmas ornament is nestled in its box, each day is a celebration. Maybe this is the year to find a little magic in each day, or even just a few days to look forward to each month. Finding and sharing a little happiness goes a long way and is inspirational to those around you.