Last Updated on August 8, 2024 by Kat Marie
I don’t know about you, but the time right after the holidays can feel like such a bummer! This is where it’s important to ride the waves of life and be positive and optimistic so you can continue the holidays spirit but in a different way.
In this blog article I’ll show you and your family how to continue your positive thoughts and ride the waves of life that is a very normal part of life!
Table of Contents
No more party planning, fun, no more tasty treats (if you’re trying to be good!) and no more pretty lights and decorations which can be tough for young kids and adults alike.
This past year, we visited Busch Gardens for their annual “Christmas Town” in Williamsburg Virginia which is about an hour away from Virginia Beach.
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens is a winter wonderland that transforms the amusement park into a dazzling holiday destination. From late November through December, the park is adorned with over 10 million twinkling lights, festive decorations, and cheerful displays.
There are opportunities to meet Santa Claus, indulge in delicious seasonal treats, and shop for unique gifts and souvenirs.
With its ambiance and happy spirit, Christmas Town at Busch Gardens offers a memorable and immersive holiday experience for visitors of all ages.
The kids absolutely loved it, and we had a WONDERFUL time. This is why we love Christmas so much! Time to be with family, have fun on holiday break and so much positivity.
The holiday season is often filled with joy, laughter, and a sense of togetherness. As we say farewell to the festivities and start a new year, it’s essential to carry forward the power of positive thinking.
While the holiday spirit may fade, the benefits of a positive mindset can continue to shape our lives and our kids’ lives long after the Christmas lights have been packed away.
How to Ride the Waves of Life
Staying grateful
One way to ride the waves and keep the positive momentum is by practicing gratitude.
Take a moment each day to reflect on the things you’re grateful for, big or small. By cultivating an attitude of appreciation, you’ll find yourself more content, resilient, and open to new opportunities throughout the year.
A perfect time to do this is during dinner time when the family is together or even in car rides with your kids.
Go around the table, or car, asking what you’re grateful for that day and you might be surprised at the different answers you hear. You can even practice this solo by keeping a small journal next to your bed and before you hit the pillow write down your gratitude (more on that a few sections down below).
Think small or large here! Everything from “I’m grateful for the boba tea that I picked up this morning.” to “I’m so thankful my family is in good health.”
They don’t have to represent perfection; you don’t have to write a novel and they definitely shouldn’t be held to any standard other than how it positively affected you – doing a few short bullet points each night with consistency will increase positive thinking very quickly with little effort.
Be positive through art
Ok, this one may seem obvious, but there is a reason it works: It’s tried and true for kiddos of almost every age. Coloring in the lines, outside of boundaries, or even completely free-style can open you up to positive vibes in no time!
To help along with this, included on our site are free and printable coloring pages of ocean scenes which can help put the kids in that beach vibe and increase the power of positive thinking that we all love and miss this time of year.
Be positive by coloring with your kids!
Coloring does so much for the whole mood (and decor) of the house and the kids are entertained for a while with something to show for it at the end.
Don’t hesitate to join in and definitely don’t forget to hang up the masterpieces on your wall as if it’s a fine art gallery!
Invoke imagination with the Story Game
Another way to be positive with the kids is playing the story game! You might ask… what the heck is the story game??
This is something we started a few years ago when the kids were going crazy inside by trying to get their imagination to go wild.
I don’t mind watching TV for a little bit but this is something that took them away for about an hour! The first person starts the story off with whatever topic you want and the next person keeps the story going with whatever you want it to be!
Mom: There once was a princess that lived in a castle…
Child #1: and this princess has a pet frog that likes to eat peanut butter…
Child #2: and the kingdom ran out of peanut butter so the frog had to eat jelly instead!
Dad: But the jelly ended up tasting like dirt and the frog ran away in disgust!
You get the point 😀
Asking silly questions
I love asking my kids about what they did at school and tell me what they are thinking. Sometimes its random stuff about the drive home and sometimes it’s things that are bothering them about their friend at school.
My favorite is asking them silly questions that get us all laughing and having a great time!
What a great way to get in a great mood and be positive with the kids. Check out my article here to help you start!
Watch movies with the family
Just admit it, at the end of the day you just want to relax with the kids and take it easy.
For us this is a great time to sit back and watch a movie we can all enjoy together and we really enjoy Studio Ghibli here at the Beach Kids Club house, The Castle in the Sky being one of our recent favorites!
My kids have watched this so many times! GREAT movie! And definitely increased the power of positive thinking by spending time with the kids.
Make it a fun movie night or go to your local movie theater!
We have our own popcorn machine that makes a fresh, classic, and not so salty snack which the kids love! We also have different flavorings and add-ons that make the experience at home so memorable – olive oil and sea salt being a personal favorite of mine.
Watching wholesome magical movies increases the power of positive thinking by using your imagination and thinking outside your present stress.
Press play, put your feet up and snuggle with the kiddos under a warm blanket. You deserve it.
Let me know in the comments if you’d like a review of some of our favorite movies or even some of your own recommendations.
Get out that front door and see nature!
Here in the Mid-Atlantic there are several places to go for a nature-based hike but just going for a walk in your neighborhood or to a local park is a great way to get out and explore!
Mother nature can have a few surprises up her sleeve for kids to discover almost any time of year, the cold months are no exception. Check out my article to find out more fun things to do in the Winter!
Be positive by going to the beach! My go-to place 🙂
The area around you can look so different through the winter lens, especially the beach. Without the tourists gathering, you can actually collect seashells and other treasures that are available before the summer rush!
Nature has profound health benefits of how to be positive due to several reasons:
- Reduced stress and improved mental well-being
- Connection with the natural world
- Physical health benefits
- Enhanced creativity and inspiration
The holidays at our household were quiet this time around but that doesn’t mean we didn’t take our usual drive down to the oceanfront to enjoy that fresh (albeit cold) breeze and abundance of parking that will inevitably dry up as the weather warms up.
To that point – even if you don’t live in a seasonal economy like our local area is – you can still be a tourist in your own town. Ever been to that free and oddly themed museum downtown? You know the one: It’s run by the eccentric lady who likes to talk a lot? Go check it out!
Ride the waves of life through journaling
Journaling is a great tool that has been proven to reduce stress and be positive, by putting pen to paper and expressing our thoughts and emotions, we create a space for self-reflection and introspection.
This process allows us to release pent-up feelings, gain clarity, and gain a better understanding of ourselves. Now that is how to be positive!
Journaling also helps to organize our thoughts, providing a sense of control and reducing anxiety.
The act of journaling can be a form of mindfulness, allowing us to be fully present in the moment and alleviate stress by focusing on the task at hand.
Overall, journaling provides a therapeutic outlet and serves as a valuable tool for managing and reducing stress in our lives which promote the power of positive thinking.
Exercise the kids and yourself!
Taking kids to a trampoline park to exercise can be an excellent way to help reduce stress, promote their overall well-being and makes them happier and increase the power of positive thinking all around.
Jumping on trampolines provides a fun and energetic outlet for children to release pent-up energy and tension therefore creating a positive mood all around.
The physical activity involved in bouncing on a trampoline promotes:
- Release of endorphins (the feel-good hormone)
- Elevate mood
- Reduce stress levels
- Improve focus and concentration
- Much needed break from academics and daily pressures
The playful and social nature of trampoline parks also allows children to interact with others, building social connections and boosting their emotional well-being.
Overall, visiting a trampoline park offers a dynamic and enjoyable experience that helps kids relieve stress, enhance their mood, and have a great time.
Setting Realistic Goals
As the new year approaches, many of us will start on goal-setting endeavors. However, it’s crucial to approach these goals with positivity and realism.
Set attainable objectives, break them down into manageable steps, and celebrate each milestone along the way. This be positive approach will fuel your motivation and increase the likelihood of success.
This year, I had written in my journal and on the blog what goals I had in mind, and it gave me a better sense of what needs to be worked on and gives me a visual representation of my plan.
This has helped me immensely to finish my goals for my family and it really promoted the power of positive thinking.
Final Splash
While the holiday season may provide an atmosphere that naturally encourages positive thinking, we shouldn’t limit it to just that time of year.
By embracing gratitude, setting realistic goals, nurturing self-care, and surrounding ourselves with positivity, we can continue to harness the power of positive thinking long after the Christmas season has passed.
Remember, a positive mindset is a gift we can give ourselves every day of the year.
These are just a few ideas to tackle the minor post-holiday blues and know that you have the power of positive thinking which are experienced by so many people with families.
Prioritize your mental and physical health and include the kids! When it’s time for bed, there are less fighting and more sleeping (hopefully for everyone) 😀
Welcome! I’m Kat Marie, founder of Beach Kids Club! Virginia Beach, VA is my hometown and I love where I live! My connection to the beach is more than just a geographical one; it’s a profound passion. Whether I’m catching waves, enjoying long walks by the oceanfront, or simply enjoying the sun, I find so much happiness at the beach. Virginia Beach is more than just a location; it’s a way of life, and I’m here to share my hometown experiences and love for the beach with all of you!