Just like that, it’s over!

Christmas came and went like a fierce chinook wind and now we are in that lull between festivities and fireworks where we reflect and swear to go on a diet as soon as Jan. 1st rolls around.

You have all probably watched too many movies and Christmas specials and are lounging in a sweet glow of post holiday glory.

Now what?

Your turkey leftovers are almost gone and someone ate the last sliver of pumpkin pie. Gone are the days of justifying drinking Baileys and coffee at 10 a.m.

Responsibility looms and we want a few more hours snuggling in our new slippers before we must face the harsh reality of a New Year and two very difficult months ahead.

For many, January and February are serious months regarding health, finances and general mood. Overspending and overindulging can have their toll in the aftermath of festive days and it can be tempting to get down on yourself and feel bad for the next few months.

The horrific weather we are going to encounter doesn’t aide the forecast but, take heart and have faith – brighter days are ahead!

Pick a small goal that you can start right now. Large, unobtainable resolutions can be easily broken and can cause you to feel even worse about yourself if you had great gusto at the beginning of the New Year.

Break those thoughts and ambitions into smaller, manageable pieces that can be chewed on and easily digested.

Instead of getting in shape and going to the gym three times a day, give yourself a short term goal for one month with the promise to reassess and evaluate how you feel at the end of 30 days.

Make one small improvement in your home focused in the direction of spring.

Plant an herb garden or start some plants in your home and stop to marvel at the beauty and transformation of life as they begin to grow. Take a closet (just one) and re-organize and discover many items you have probably forgotten about and take pride on a job well done.

I saw a friend on facebook who had taken an existing picture in her home and had re-painted it and I thought that was a wonderful way to upcycle and decorate.

I have used metal paint and silver finish on many items that I loved the shape of but was tired of the colour. A quick afternoon with a can of paint and you have a new decorative accessory for your home – it is a small but mighty miracle of the least expensive kind.

It doesn’t matter if you tackle a full-on project or simply rotate your mattress to celebrate the new year but at least you have picked up a cause of some kind!

The moments that you spend thinking, ‘I need to get that done’ are wasted when a small project can be tackled in minutes. Free up your mind and soul by championing a small, attainable goal that can be quickly accomplished.

It will be the perfect pick (you) up and will be a positive note to start off the New Year.

Here’s to the happiness of 2017, bring it on and go for the attainable!

Small success is still success and will encourage you to no end.

Kim Wyse is a Central Alberta freelance designer. Find her on facebook at ‘Ask a Realtor/Ask a Designer’.