Former The Only Way Is Essex star Kate Ferdinand has candidly revealed she is struggling with an 'emotional December hangover' following a whirlwind festive season spent with family in London.
The Festive Overwhelm and a 'December Hangover'
In a heartfelt social media update shared on Sunday, the 34-year-old admitted to feeling 'very emotional and fatigued' in the wake of the holidays. She described the intense pressure parents face in December to 'get everything right' for their children, coupled with the logistics of organising Christmas, work, and family visits.
'I'm not feeling myself, I don't want to do my usual activities and I feel highly emotional,' Kate explained. 'I don't have that kickstart January feeling like I normally do.' She went on to detail the complex emotions of reuniting with loved ones, including the joy of seeing family she misses and the strain of navigating dynamics with others.
Kate and her husband, former England footballer Rio Ferdinand, 46, had returned to the English capital from their new home in Dubai to celebrate Christmas, before recently jetting back to the United Arab Emirates.
Listening to Her Body and Rejecting the 'New Year, New Me' Pressure
Kate spoke openly about feeling societal pressure to instantly transform in the new year, particularly within the fitness industry. She confessed that while she intended to post a workout, her body was 'coming to a halt' from fatigue.
'I feel the pressure in the industry... but the truth is I went to do the workout and I haven't got the energy,' she said. The mother-of-three emphasised her decision to listen to her body, declaring January a month for 'resting and not pushing myself to any extremes.'
She offered reassurance to her followers, stating: 'I think it's ok to not be ok.' Kate urged people to remember that 'not everyone is good all the time' and that January 'doesn't have to be the reset month.'
Life in a Lavish New Dubai Home
The couple's emotional return to London followed their major life change last August, when they swapped south-east London for a sun-soaked existence in Dubai. They have settled into a luxurious mansion in the exclusive Al Barari community, a property previously listed for around £6.55 million.
Kate recently gave fans a glimpse inside the lavish home, showcasing its modern interiors and spacious living areas during a cosy pyjama day with her children. She is step-mother to Rio's three older children—Lorenz, 19, Tate, 17, and Tia, 13—from his late wife Rebecca Ellison, and the couple share two young children together, Cree and Shae.
In an interview with The National, Rio Ferdinand explained the multifaceted reasons for the move, citing lifestyle, safety, weather, and a desire for a 'new chapter' after retiring from his decade-long punditry role with TNT Sports. He also highlighted the quality of education in Dubai as a key factor for their family.
Despite the glamour of their new international life, Kate's honest post highlights the universal challenges of family dynamics, festive pressure, and the importance of prioritising mental wellbeing over societal expectations.
