The holidays are over, and bill paying is about to begin in earnest. The Xmas tree is thrown out in the compost, and all the gift wrap is in the dumpster. So what's next, you?

A lot of people feel despondent at post-holiday time. That means depressed, although it's not a politically correct term, I guess. There are many good ways to fight depression, but you probably will have to fight it. Ignoring it does not make it go away.

After reading about how to fight depression, you may still feel depressed. Remember, every cloud has a silver lining, and sometimes the lining is gold with esoteric symbols and messages from aliens, or maybe it's a sketch of the tetragrammeton in a triangle as seen in Marie Antoinette's chapel. If you're feeling not OK, remember, there are people crazier than you are, maybe. Probably me. That should cheer you up, as a starter.

When I feel down in the dumps, I think of extreme things to do which just aren't permitted or simply not practical. For instance, and try not to get addicted to this one, you know that seventy-two flavors of ice cream place? Yep, do it. Empty that penny bank, and go get one of each. Maybe you can haggle with the owner for a price break, because at 50 cents a scoop, you're still going to have to pay more than $35.00 plus tax. You could take a friend or two, or not (more ice cream for you).

Sometimes, I think it's the lack of sunshine in your life. I have, in the past, put on my bathing suit in January, smeared on lotion and donned sunglasses, and hopped into my home's bay window for a "day at the beach". It was a sad idea, but it worked. It is sometimes a problem for the neighbors and people could honk a lot as they drive by, so try to find a safe and private area to do this, maybe your car if it has a skylight and a fold-down seat.

I've included my own two examples because you should feel free to be creative, especially if other attempts have not worked.