The holidays are finally over. The decorations are back in boxes, the last slice of cake is mysteriously gone, and reality is knocking so loudly that it’s like an alarm you’ve snoozed one too many times.

If you’re feeling physically pagod, emotionally drained, financially shookt, and spiritually questioning your life choices, congratulations. You are officially sabog.

But don’t worry. Here’s how to un-sabog yourself after the holidays, Filipino-style.

1. Accept That You Are, In Fact, Sabog

Step one: acknowledgment.

You overate. You overspent. You overslept. You said “last na ‘to” but still went for another round of lechon. And that’s okay. The holidays are designed to be chaotic. It’s basically a nationwide excuse to indulge.

Don’t beat yourself up. Sabog is temporary. Ikaw ay tao lamang.

2. Reset the Body (Hindi Biglaan, Please)

No need to go from lechon to lettuce overnight. That’s traumatic.

Start small:

• Drink more water (yes, tubig muna before that third iced coffee) 
• Eat real food again. Gulay is your friend
• Walk, stretch, move… kahit konti lang

Remember: consistency beats extreme diet plans that last exactly three days.

3. Fix the Sleep Damage

Your body clock is currently confused. Is it still vacation mode? Is it Monday? Why are you awake at 2 a.m. scrolling?

To un-sabog your sleep:

• Sleep earlier, little by little
• Less screen time before bed.
• Accept that the first few mornings will feel illegal.

Eventually, your body will remember its purpose. Hopefully.

4. Face the Budget Reality 

Yes, it’s time to open the banking app. Yes, it will hurt. Yes, you will whisper “Grabe ang dami kong gastos” to yourself. But facing it is better than pretending it doesn’t exist.

Do this instead:

• Track expenses without judgment. Just know where your money went. 
• Pause unnecessary spending. Step away from Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, etc.
• Set realistic money goals! Not “I will save everything,” but “I will try not to be reckless.”

Healing is financial accountability.

5. Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind

Your room probably looks like the holidays exploded inside it.

Start with:

• Clearing wrappers, empty boxes, and holiday kalat

• Reorganizing your essentials.

• Letting go of things that no longer serve you (including bad habits).

A clean space won’t solve all your problems, but it will make them look less overwhelming.

6. Ease Back Into Work or School (No Big Life Decisions Yet)

January energy is weird. One minute you’re motivated, the next you’re questioning your entire career.

Rule: Do not make major life decisions while still sabog.

Instead:

• Set simple, achievable goals for the week or if kaya, for the whole month.

• Focus on showing up, not being perfect.

• Give yourself time to get back in the groove.

7. Be Kind to Yourself. Seriously.

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not optimized. If you laughed, rested, connected, and ate well, then you did something right.

Un-sabog isn’t about becoming a “new you” overnight. It’s about slowly returning to balance, with grace, humor, and maybe a strong cup of coffee.

Final Thoughts: From Sabog to Slowly Sorted

You don’t need a full transformation. You just need a reset.

One glass of water.
One good night’s sleep.
One responsible decision at a time.

Before you know it, you’ll go from sabog to “medyo okay na”, and honestly, that’s already a win.

Laban lang. Kaya mo ‘to.