A new year brings fresh goals, but old habits die hard. Back-to-school stress, adjusting budgets after holiday splurges, and the pressure of new ambitions hit everyone differently. Some are diving straight into work or school, while others are still riding the afterglow of the festive season.
Here’s a look at five types of people you’re likely to see navigating the post-holiday shuffle:
1. The Side-Baes
These are the ones who remained low-key during the holidays while their partners spent quality time with family. Now, as everyone returns online and back to the grind, they’re soaking up attention.
- They might be taking a mini “vacation” before fully jumping back into school or work.
- Quiet on social media, they’re enjoying the spotlight before routine life resumes.
- If you’ve noticed someone suddenly active or mysteriously radiant after New Year, you’re probably witnessing a side-bae in action.
Tip: Don’t be fooled by the calm—they’re just gearing up for the return to reality.
2. The Re-Connectors
Holiday season sentimentality works wonders. Some couples reconnect over warm “Happy New Year” messages, reigniting sparks thought to be lost.
- The holidays create the perfect backdrop for nostalgia and reflection.
- These lovebirds can’t keep their hands off each other after rediscovering the emotional and physical chemistry that made them click in the first place.
- For them, the start of the year isn’t just about resolutions—it’s about rekindled romance.
3. The Fearful Stick-Arounds
Some couples are on the verge of breaking up but cling on for comfort, intimacy, or fear of single life.
- The festive season can highlight underlying dissatisfaction, making unresolved issues harder to ignore.
- Some stay together despite tension, simply to avoid the emotional turbulence of going solo.
- This group experiences post-holiday blues differently—rather than joy, the end-of-year reflection exposes relationship cracks.
Reality check: Fear-based attachment rarely leads to long-term happiness.
4. The Ones Getting Over Someone
For many, the holidays are a harsh reminder of love lost. Enter the rebounders.
- They’re posting about moving on, comparing lives, and checking up on exes—sometimes obsessively.
- Social media becomes a stage for validation, whether they want revenge, closure, or just self-assurance.
- Their focus is on rediscovery, healing, and experimenting with new social dynamics.
Reminder: Moving on is messy but necessary—your growth matters more than validation.
5. The Sexual Awakeners
These people are embracing self-discovery and exploration.
- They’re experimenting, reading, or learning about their desires in ways they hadn’t before.
- Emerging from periods of repression or routine, they declare this year as “their year” of self-realization.
- Curiosity drives them, whether through reading, exploring intimacy, or understanding themselves on a deeper level.
Fun fact: Post-holiday reflection can trigger a surge in personal reinvention, especially around sexuality and identity.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a side-bae, a reconciler, a fearful stick-around, a rebounder, or an awakener, the post-holiday season is a time of reflection, experimentation, and transition. Everyone navigates the new year differently—but one thing is universal: it’s all part of growth, learning, and adapting to life’s rhythms.
💬 Which of these types are you post-holidays? Share your experience in the comments below!
