I didn’t know what to do for my career or my life anymore. I had never felt so lost. I was a newlywed and there was supposed to be nothing but bliss and warm fuzzy feelings. But when I got home from the honeymoon, I felt as though I had woken up in the post cake and first dance daze of not knowing what was supposed to happen next.

Luckily, I realized through my own online research and talking to some of my trusted friends that there was a name for this feeling called the “post wedding blues.” They had hit me hard because everything revolved around wedding planning for an entire year before the big day. Friends and family wanted to know every piece of the wedding process from dress, venue, colors, save the date, etc. All the excitement and stress leading up to this special day left me feeling empty unpacking our remaining gifts post honeymoon.

Here are a couple ways to fight off the post wedding blues to make it easier to transition into married life while keeping that newlywed glow:

1. Workout and keep your self-care regiment going.This is really hard when the wedding is over because every part of your body was being attended to in the months leading up to the wedding. Don’t make the mistake of “letting yourself go” which will only make you feel worse about no longer being the bride-to-be. Continue to schedule appointments for self-care even if your budget doesn’t allow all the primpings, at least make room for something monthly. Your body will thank you for it and you’ll continue to radiate, making your hubby so happy he married you.

2. Get your name changed on everything as soon as possible. Waiting to change your name will become frustrating where one credit card is in your maiden name, your license is in your married name and your email address confuses new people you meet. Find time to do it and just make it happen. The longer you wait, the bigger chore it will be and you’ll wonder why the process is taking so damn long.  Please save yourself a lot of stress and time and check out this website, Hitchswitch, where you’ll pay a small fee in retrospect and get your name changed!

3. Keep up with family and friends. When you come home from the wedding everyone wants to “leave you alone” and not interfere with newlywed life. Though this is nice in the beginning, do not let this drag on too long. You want to keep up with your friends, especially those who were at your wedding and let them know you’re not a distant stranger just because you tied-the-knot. It can be very isolating if you don’t reach out to others because a lot of people may think you’re walking into the sunset every day when you’re actually in an overwhelmed newlywed bubble trying to figure out your life as a “Mrs.” Call up a friend or family member to help burst that bubble and be supportive.

4. Make “new” other newlywed friends or have a few couples on speed dial. It’s important to have the support of other newlyweds going through the same thing as you. Though every couple is unique, having someone to confide in about what you’re going through will only make your relationship stronger. Going out and having some fun with another newlywed couple is a great way to take the edge off. Just make sure you can spend time with a couple that is there to support you not to harm, sway, or one-up you. And vice versa; be the company you want to keep. Find friends that will be there for you and you’ll have found bliss.

5. Don’t compare your relationship to others.Our egos always get in the way and we live in a society that wants us to strive to be the best. Whether that is through our looks, money, status or whatever. We are born to compare. The comparison game will only leave you feeling empty and resentful so don’t do it. Be grateful for everything you have and all the reasons why you married the amazing person you did. Every couple has their own issues, own struggles; successes and failures. You are special because of your unique story and how you have been brought together to create more joy and love into each other’s lives. There’s no comparison in that. You’re a special couple and that’s that. The end.