[Misc] Christmas and mental health...the annual thread

[AmexRuislip]

I've said enough on the prostate cancer thread.
Dealing with minor MH issues regarding my PC, but getting help and being sorted.
Have a fantastic wife in Mrs AR and Maggies
at Charing Cross hospital for support

 

[LamieRobertson]

Unfortunately it can’t apply to everyone on here due to age and circumstances but I have to say 10 months of being a Grandparent is an excellent aid for my ongoing mental health issues, so the first Xmas with my Stanley is probably one of most exciting things I’ve ever contemplated in my life.

It gets better as Harty Junior is adding to the brood with Hart The Younger due on 11th May.

But I’m very aware of the issues many others on here will have and to reiterate if anyone on here needs to talk PM me, or ring my 24 hour work number 01903 206299 and I will ring you straight back. (If you’re fairly local we can meet up)

Take care one and all,


Harty

It gets even better being a grandparent (factor in we are naturally going to be older and all that entails) …..it’s a magical time for them and helping make it so has its own rewards.

 

[Mr Bridger]

Fook me there are some miserable barstards around. It's one of my favourite times of year.
I like the fact most places shut down and pubs are a lot busier.
More football matches.
Some of the residential homes are lit up wonderfully
Mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.
Possibility of snow.
People enjoying themselves.
Family get togethers

The only downer Is the cost.

I was going to say do you live in Croydon, but then saw the people enjoying themselves quote.

 

[Weststander]

Will always be my favourite time of year , however made significantly harder as lost my dad (66 years old) just before Xmas in 2021 so second year of trying to fill the void that he has left.

Thankfully my mum who was my major concern when he passed now has an active social life, is financially secure and will be retiring early next year, which takes the edge off.

Will always be a time of year that we will reflect on him missing from the memories and I doubt will ever get easier but learning to live with it.

We’ve made a conscious effort to install the importance of family and talking about it with the kids.

We try to give them the best Christmas we can every year and obviously prioritise them over ourselves.
We made a point of telling them some presents are from Santa and the majority from us which I hope goes some way to levelling out any perceived inequality of Santa’s love when talking presents with friends etc.

Enjoy and cherish it with those still around you and celebrate those that are longer with us

Heart warming post!

 

[Eeyore]

I can get a little depressed between Christmas and New year because it reminds me I have no immediate family now. It is a strange feeling being the only one left. I often spend Christmas Day on my own out of choice. It's not as sad as it sounds because it is out of choice. I would get up early, go for a walk, visit my parent's grave and cook a special dinner. One of the best Christmas I had was when, having decided to do it alone, I discovered an elderly neighbour was without company. I invited her round and gave her dinner. She was overjoyed. It was as if the universe had a plan. Of course, a real upside is all the sport over the period. I spare no expense on subscriptions.

My ex has been insisting on making Christmas dinner for me and coming round. So that will happen for a while on the day. But I never have anyone here for long due to anxiety issues as we have covered on other threads.

On the upside, I work from home and tend to indulge myself in New Year planning. My immediate superior tries to get narky about it but struggles. We are good friends other than work mates. And she understands.

So it's an up and down period being a person who has mental health lows but is, paradoxically, very happy with his own company. I've been like that since I entered this world. But for 45 years I only ever missed one Christmas Day at my parents house. The longing doesn't leave me.

 

[sydney]

Tackling the big jobs.....has to be done.
I always enjoy our little chats. I love your passion and occasional anger. There's something reassuringly steadfast about you x

cheers pal ...i wear my heart on my sleeve for sure , the visit was gut wrenching

 

[sydney]

Unfortunately it can’t apply to everyone on here due to age and circumstances but I have to say 10 months of being a Grandparent is an excellent aid for my ongoing mental health issues, so the first Xmas with my Stanley is probably one of most exciting things I’ve ever contemplated in my life.

It gets better as Harty Junior is adding to the brood with Hart The Younger due on 11th May.

But I’m very aware of the issues many others on here will have and to reiterate if anyone on here needs to talk PM me, or ring my 24 hour work number 01903 206299 and I will ring you straight back. (If you’re fairly local we can meet up)

Take care one and all,


Harty

Nice one Ian , a merry festive season to you and yours and all the Worthing crew....Bazza..xx

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Assuming the kids must be young then and not at school that sounds like a lovely 2 weeks

Both out of school now at 21 & 18, and college/uni students, so only missing a couple of days

 

[cjd]

What a shame this thread has slipped down to page 5 ( !! ) on the main forum.

For many Xmas is a difficult period and I applaud a couple posters who have pointed out the many and varied good points of this time of year. It gives some balance...and also some hope and positiveness ( is there such a word ? ) to those struggling.

I hope future posters will still be OK to give out their often difficult situations ( which will remind many of us how fortunate we are )but hopefully a little less of the self-pitying.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Seeing all the kids and their partners, some staying over Christmas, 5 grandkids to deal with. They all want to come to me which is nice as this is the 2nd year since my wife died. In truth they know I'll do all the cooking and I have a full drinks fridge. I'm nearly there with the presents. Went to Bruges last week and going to France Monday so will be getting a few more bits.

 

[cjd]

Seeing all the kids and their partners, some staying over Christmas, 5 grandkids to deal with. They all want to come to me which is nice as this is the 2nd year since my wife died. In truth they know I'll do all the cooking and I have a full drinks fridge. I'm nearly there with the presents. Went to Bruges last week and going to France Monday so will be getting a few more bits.

What inner strength you have. Well done !

 

[BrightonCottager]

I'm bumping this thread because I just vocalised in a prominent local butchers that "I effing hate Christmas ". Apologies to any NSCers who happened to have been buying their organic pigs in blankets at the time and whose festive bonhomie was deflated as a result. This year's yuletide torment will take a new direction as me and my family are visiting my mum (who's Alzheimers is getting worse) so we can cook her dinner. We've then got my wife's family visiting us here in Brighton on Boxing day which will be a relief as it signals the end of the whole thing.
Surviving, not thriving.

 

[Chicken Run]

I'm bumping this thread because I just vocalised in a prominent local butchers that "I effing hate Christmas ". Apologies to any NSCers who happened to have been buying their organic pigs in blankets at the time and whose festive bonhomie was deflated as a result. This year's yuletide torment will take a new direction as me and my family are visiting my mum (who's Alzheimers is getting worse) so we can cook her dinner. We've then got my wife's family visiting us here in Brighton on Boxing day which will be a relief as it signals the end of the whole thing.
Surviving, not thriving.

Barfields prices are enough to make anyone hate Christmas, good luck over the coming days

 

[AmexRuislip]

I'm bumping this thread because I just vocalised in a prominent local butchers that "I effing hate Christmas ". Apologies to any NSCers who happened to have been buying their organic pigs in blankets at the time and whose festive bonhomie was deflated as a result. This year's yuletide torment will take a new direction as me and my family are visiting my mum (who's Alzheimers is getting worse) so we can cook her dinner. We've then got my wife's family visiting us here in Brighton on Boxing day which will be a relief as it signals the end of the whole thing.
Surviving, not thriving.

That's going to be a fair bit of driving for you, I'll at you on the M25

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I've never understood why everyone is supposed to like Christmas. It's become one enormous spendfest, where people buy and eat enormous amounts of crap. The build up lasts for months......

And then it's over.


What's that all about?

 

[BrightonCottager]

Barfields prices are enough to make anyone hate Christmas, good luck over the coming days

As I don't eat or buy meat, they could have charged what they wanted and I wouldn't have a scoobies. In fact, I did admit that out loud so they probably did! They seem a decent bunch in there though and my daughter reckons one of them gives Mrs BC the glad eye. As long as not an extra portion of tongue, I don't mind.

 

[Weststander]

I've never understood why everyone is supposed to like Christmas. It's become one enormous spendfest, where people buy and eat enormous amounts of crap. The build up lasts for months......

And then it's over.


What's that all about?

Some love it (lights up a dark part of the year, a magic not lost from when a kid, seeing kids starry eyed, an enforced break from work for many together as a family, rich food).

Whilst others loath it.

That’s life, varied opinions.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I've never understood why everyone is supposed to like Christmas. It's become one enormous spendfest, where people buy and eat enormous amounts of crap. The build up lasts for months......

And then it's over.


What's that all about?

So businesses can boost their profits at the end of the year, people can have a blow-out before the new year diets kick in and there's an excuse for people not to go to work due a bit.

I cannot be arsed with any of it - for numerous reasons. And Boxing day has gone from being a chilled out day to an open house with the same people we always see and would've spent the day with the day before!

FFS. Bring on the 27th.

 

[Insel affe]

I hate the slow gradual build up from October, anyone asks me I hate it.
Then, I finish work, do the Christmas food shop, which is so over rated, the shops are shut for literally a day anyway.
Christmas Eve comes, I’m mild excited, Christmas morning I’m up early, fresh coffee on the go loitering around the tree….
neither of those two are down early anymore, about 10:30 “make me a coffee, will you”
11:30 presents opened, trying to hide the disappointment of socks, an Amazon voucher and a shite smiths framed poster.

it’s over

Christmas dinner is usually shite, living in a vegetarian house other than me, and daughter that just eats pot noodles at the moment, tv is shite, watch a movie shall we, waste an hour looking on Netflix or whatever to agree, sarky comment from daughter to wife, results in the disrespect card being pulled with the threat of ”no electronics for a week”

give me strength, Christmas = enforced unhappiness

 

[BrightonCottager]

Some love it (lights up a dark part of the year, a magic not lost from when a kid, seeing kids starry eyed, an enforced break from work for many together as a family, rich food).

Whilst others loath it.

That’s life, varied opinions.

I do celebrate the Solstice with a few candles and a drink as well as visiting Burning the Clocks. Days are getting longer. Christmas comes with too much material and emotional baggage.