Now What? How to Maximize Those Days Between the Holidays!

Christmas is behind us. The New Year isn't here yet. And if you're like most people, you're floating through what might be the strangest week of the entire year.

Even if you have to work between the holidays, something feels distinctly off about these days. Your coworkers are out of town. Your favorite coffee shop has unpredictable hours. You're not entirely sure what day of the week it is. Welcome to what some call "Dead Week," others refer to as "Twixmas," and what many simply experience as a transitional period that feels neither here nor there.

Whatever you call it, the experience is remarkably consistent: this week occupies a liminal space between normal routines and festive leisure, leaving many people unsure how to spend their time.

Cultural observers have noted that conventional goals and responsibilities simply feel irrelevant during this stretch. Time seems meaningless. The usual rhythms of productivity and planning fall away.

Making the Most of Your In-Between Days

So how do you navigate this strange week productively without fighting against its inherently weird nature?

• Embrace the Pause Rather than forcing yourself into January-level productivity, recognize that this week offers a rare opportunity for rest without guilt. Catch up on sleep. Finish that book you started months ago. Enjoy your leftovers and new holiday gifts without pressure.
• Tackle Low-Stakes Tasks This is the perfect time for housework projects that never seem urgent enough to prioritize. Organize that junk drawer. Clean out your email inbox. Sort through clothes you no longer wear. These tasks don't require intense focus but give you a sense of accomplishment.
• Get Ahead on Homework If you're taking classes, use this downtime to review syllabi for upcoming courses or get a head start on reading assignments. The lack of social obligations means you can work at your own pace without feeling like you're missing out.
• Maintain Some Routine Even if you're off work, try to keep a semi-consistent sleep schedule and mealtimes. This helps prevent that disoriented feeling where you lose track of what day it is entirely.
• Plan (Lightly) for the New Year Spend an hour or two thinking about your goals for the coming months. What do you want to accomplish academically? Professionally? Personally? Jot down some ideas without the pressure of formal resolutions.

The Universal Experience

Whether you find this week blissful or depressing, restful or strangely stagnant, nearly everyone recognizes its distinct character. It's a shared cultural pause, a collective breath between the intensity of December celebrations and the fresh start of January.

As you navigate these strange in-between days, remember you're not alone in feeling unmoored. Make the most of it by honoring both your need for rest and your desire to stay somewhat productive. Before you know it, January will arrive with all its demands and fresh possibilities.