I have to ask: who still has their holiday decorations up? Don’t worry; no judgment here. I’m just genuinely curious.

For me, it’s always been about clearing the decks before the New Year. I know, bah humbug, right? But hear me out.

As I’ve shared before, the moment Halloween ends, I’m ready to dive headfirst into Christmas. It’s not that I don’t value Thanksgiving or the traditions that come with celebrating our roots on this beautiful continent we call home.

But let’s face it, I’m not the host of the Thanksgiving celebration, so I’ve always felt free to embrace the twinkling lights and festive cheer as early as possible.

Why not soak up the joy for as long as we can, right?

That’s my thought process as I hang those stockings and put up the tree on Nov. 1 (or at least bring up the boxes from the basement). It’s all about embracing the cozy, magical vibes that come with the season — the snow, the fireplaces, the hot chocolate.

Everything that makes this time of year feel like stepping into a Hallmark movie (which I admit to watching way too much of those last month).

But when Jan. 1 rolls around, something shifts.

Maybe you’re wondering, “Why don’t you just extend that magic through the rest of winter?”

After all, the chill in the air, the shorter days and the blankets of snow do seem to call for that little extra sparkle of a decorated tree to keep spirits bright. And honestly, that makes perfect sense!

But for me, once the calendar flips, it’s like turning the page on a book. It’s time to pack away the old to make space for the new. Taking down the holiday decorations feels a bit like cleaning out a closet.

There’s this satisfaction in creating a blank slate, even if it means saying goodbye to something I’ve loved.

You know those clothes you keep telling yourself you’ll wear again someday, but deep down you know they’ll just stay in the back of the closet?

That’s what leaving up holiday decorations feels like to me — a kind of lingering attachment that holds me back from stepping into the New Year with fresh energy.

It’s a mental reset. There’s always a bit of psychology behind what we do, whether we realize it or not.

For me, taking down the decorations is a signal that the party is over and it’s time to get serious about those big, audacious goals I’ve set for myself. It’ s not that I don’t love the festive season; I absolutely do. But I also love the feeling of starting anew.

How about you? Do you hold on to your holiday decorations through the winter months to keep the cozy vibes alive?

Or are you like me, ready to pack it all away and shift gears for the year ahead? What’s your reason behind keeping them up or taking them down? I’d love to hear your thoughts — what do you do, and why?

Mother, author, entrepreneur and founder of Dandelion-Inc, Lisa Resnick wants to hear your story. Share memories with her by emailing lisa@dandelion-inc.com.