The holidays are over, and unfortunately the next one doesn’t even leave us with a day off. People treat and take the end of the holiday season differently; but before they realize it, it’s almost February and the Christmas tree is still up, and they are still living by “New Year, New Me.” This is a reality check for all those who are still experiencing those holiday blues. So here’s to those who can’t let go of stockings, presents, or even that New Years countdown.

1. The “I Still Think It’s Christmas But Everything is Over And it’s Actually January”

Symptoms: All the gifts have been opened, dinner has been devoured, your decorations are still up but it’s not even December still. Quite possibly still bloated, probably haven’t left the couch since the 25th. Most likely skipped the idea of New Years all together. Christmas is over, there is nothing left to do, you feel dead, and the idea that you’ll have to wait another 365 days for this hasn’t kicked in yet.

Best Solutions Found: Binge watching Netflix, DO NOT LISTEN TO MORE CHRISTMAS MUSIC. YOU WILL BECOME SAD AND MIGHT SHED TEARS.  Possible shows to watch: Friends, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, anything not under the categories “Seasonal” or “Holiday.” Attempt to take down decorations, like a band-aid — it will be easiest to take them down all at once (could almost be easier to leave them up.)

2. The “Lights Are Still Up and Turned On Every Single Night But it is Now Halfway Through January”

It’s too cold to take them down, or you’re just too busy. You are the only one on the street with them up but they still look good, so why take them down? They are your “winter lights not Christmas lights” and it’s still winter.

Best Solutions Found: If you are wanting to keep them up because you miss and love Christmas, see solution #1. If not, please take your lights down before March. They not longer fit as “winter lights” and it is far too early to be preparing for next year’s holiday.

3. The “New Year, New Me Stay Fit Resolution Goes to Gym and Diets”

New Year Resolution: going to the gym, eating healthy and becoming a new person.

It has been less than a month and you haven’t used that gym membership you started two weeks ago. You have had three “cheat days” this week alone, and you don’t remember if you’ve even had any fruit yet today.

Best Solutions Found: Start small; try one or another. Don’t go to the gym and diet at first; you will overwork your body. Or you could just do one and avoid the pain of doing the other. Save yourself all the future tears and don’t even try either of them. For those who are serious about their resolutions, commit to it if you haven’t already. Take 30 minutes out of your day to work towards a new you, and choose those sweet potato fries over normal ones.

4. The “School Starting Again is the Bane of My Existence”

The entire holiday break was spent in bed, with your laptop, or in the basement with your PS4. You spent the entire break with family and friends, and enough food to fill you up for days.  You spent two weeks on the beach and your skin is crisp, or you spent it on the mountains and can read the slopes like the back of your hand.

Best Solutions Found: Acceptance. That’s right. There is no avoiding the inevitable. Go to school, go back to work and hide your pain. Don’t cry in front of your peers; cry in the bathroom instead.

Final Advice: You cannot avoid it, life begins again. The next year is going to drag you through the mud if you hold on to this feeling. Don’t wait much longer to keep those decorations. Resolutions are personal goals so go out there and work through the pain for a better you. From one person stuck in the holiday blue to another: I believe in you. You will make it through these next 11 months.