From Rush to Rest: A Catholic Mom’s Guide to Post-Event Letdowns

After big moments, peace can feel far away. Denise Jelinek shares how Catholic moms can handle re-entry with grace and surrender.

You’ve just come off something big.

A retreat.
Your daughter’s Confirmation weekend.
A big family vacation.
Your oldest coming home from college.
Or maybe completing a big work or parish project.

And then suddenly — it’s over.

The suitcases are put away. The group text goes quiet. You’re staring at a laundry pile and a to-do list.

And your chest aches with something you can’t quite name.

This is what I call re-entry: the emotional and spiritual transition back to “normal” after your routine has been joyfully disrupted. It’s that letdown feeling that sneaks in and can catch you off guard.

This recently happened to me after a huge very successful work project ended. That’s when I went on a hunt to find out what was going on — why was I so emotionally low and physically depleted after such a wildly successful event?

I learned this is also called “post-event letdown.” Once I had a name for it and knew that what I was experiencing was a real phenomenon, I took one step into accepting this and practicing the self-care needed to support myself through this.

I hope this article provides that comfort for you.

Why You Might Feel This Way

Your brain has literally been riding a high.

When you’re anticipating an event, preparing for guests, celebrating sacraments, or making memories with your kids, or, like me, collaborating with my team to launch a project, your brain is lit up with dopamine: the feel-good chemical tied to connection, accomplishment, and joy.

But when all the activity stops, so does the dopamine. And, you the sudden drop feels emotionally and physically low.

Your brain misses the momentum. And it longs for that next “thing.”

This doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or weak or didn’t appreciate the success and fun. It means you’re human.

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5 Steps to Re-Entry with the Holy Spirit

Here’s how to support yourself when you feel the emotional thud of coming back down.

Name the Letdown

Even before the event ends, acknowledge it out loud:

“When this ends, I might feel a little empty. That’s normal.”

Naming it strips it of power. It tells your soul: this feeling isn’t failure; it’s a natural shift

Be Gentle in this Transition

When the quiet comes in, so does the urge to “do something.” You might reach for your planner. Start cleaning. Scroll. Over-serve. Over-schedule.

But that restless energy is a cue to return to Christ.

Try this: “Holy Spirit, I feel off. Help me find you here. Lead me gently.”

Pre-Plan Holy Anchors

Don’t wait for your brain to start spinning. Plan something uplifting to focus on:

A quiet walk while praying the Rosary
Lighting a candle and journaling what the Lord reveals
Reading Scripture out loud with your kids
Calling a fellow mom just to share your heart
Sitting still and simply saying, “Come, Lord Jesus”

These are real rewards — they restore peace and support you as you are in the transition phase of “re-entry” back to normal life, rather than draining you further.

Catch the Sneaky Thoughts

Watch out for those subtle thoughts that your brain feels you did something wrong or that you “shouldn’t be” feeling this way.

Remind your brain, "This is normal. This will pass.”

Give yourself permission to focus only on the essentials.

This is not the time to catch up on laundry, respond to every email, deep clean the kitchen, or make major decisions. Resist the urge to jump into over-functioning just to “feel caught up.”

Instead, lean on simple, familiar rhythms, like go-to meals that don’t require much thought or energy. Let non-urgent tasks wait.

If it feels like pressure, that’s your sign to pause.

This is a time for healing, not hustling. A time to be gentle with your body, guard your peace, and allow yourself to be led and restored by the Lord.

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A Final Word of Grace

If the emotional dip after something beautiful has ever thrown you off, nothing has gone wrong. This is normal.

I hope you now feel equipped to do re-entry differently, compassionate with yourself and guided by the Holy Spirit.

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From Rush to Rest: A Catholic Mom’s Guide to Post-Event Letdowns

Why You Might Feel This Way