[Misc] Mental health and Christmas - 2022

[Lenny Rider]

First Christmas since my wife died so really don't know how I feel if honest. I've always done the cooking and have the kids and grandchildren coming. My daughter who lives with me I worry about. My wife died on Jan 6th so very close to that date as well.

I'm off to Bruges with friends tomorrow for a few days which I've done for years (apart from lockdown) which will be nice.

Take care old boy

PM me if you fancy a coffee before the holiday

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Some fantastic contributions to this thread and great idea from @Happy Exile to kick it off.

Throughout my life, I've had years where I've really struggled with Christmas/New Year/January. I've never been able to pinpoint quite why, but the worst (which wasn't really bad in the grand scheme of things) was the beginning of 2000, where I had zero interest in everything, including running, which I normally love. It felt like I was just functioning and everything felt an effort. I managed to get back on track by March/April time the past two festive periods have been ok.

I can feel a bit of the same creeping back in already, although not to the same extent. This year, I think it is down to feeling completely flat and well and truly done with the year. The Bobkin family have had a spectacularly horrible 2022, with one stressful drama after another and, unfortunately, there might be a few more to come, given some health news for one of the extended family to come.

But then, I have to remind myself that it's all relative and we're all doing a lot better than other people. I'll certainly be getting more exercise and doing more socialising and activities over Christmas and New Year. I don't think it helps to completely shut down, not for me, anyway. I'm also a big believer in being selfish, but in a good way. Putting yourself first, especially if everything isn't quite 100% right in your life, is nothing to be ashamed of. And trying to not worry about what others do or think (about you or anything else) is also a big thing for me. Maybe it's just because of what we've been through, but some things and some people seem so irrelevant, so to cut them out/off is often the best way to go.

Anyway, I'm not sure if the ramblings above make sense or help anyone in any way, but I wanted to contribute in some way. The Vitamin D tip is a good one, which I'll certainly look into. And I'll be sure to dip in and out of this thread over the coming days and weeks to make sure everyone is doing OK.

Look after yourselves, NSCers – you're not in this alone

GB

 

[BrightonCottager]

Bumping this thread because the C word is upon us. Take care everyone.

[Edit: listening to this , helps, from the Preston Park Tavern aka The Lady Pub]

 

[Zeberdi]

How’s everyone doing? Do check in - especially if you are struggling.

So far it’s a good family Christmas in London staying at Mother’s but I’m beginning to feel the strain tbh My ill health makes the effort very difficult indeed.

BIL and Sister cooked amazing meal for 14 family members at their house down the road last night for Christmas Eve dinner - BIL got a bit sozzled along with the rest of us and spent an hour bending my ear to get me to sign up for Fantasy Football (I don’t play - always hated the idea because it takes the focus off BHA for me). I think I upset him with some undiplomatic slurs on ManU during the course of conversation so need to watch my step.

Already exhausted and done in after 2 days with the deaf oldies having to shout because they won’t put in their hearing aids - and watching octogenarians use android and ipads is driving me crazy, especially when they can’t hear who is on the phones, can’t see passwords even if you show it to them, can’t find the volume buttons on anything - its like running an IT class for 4 year olds and very draining - now doing what I said I wouldn’t do, spending Christmas Day in bed alone and very peaceful and quiet - will join others for dinner at Sister’s this evening (maybe!)

The really fantastic news is all the Americans and Sister and BIL are going ice skating on Boxing Day afternoon so been asked to go and dog sit at the BIL house - which means I have a perfect excuse to leave the oldies here for the whole afternoon and go and put my feet up at my BIL‘s and watch uninterrupted football on a large leather sofa on super size TV screen and drink some beer. Perfect. (If I make it that far!)


Sister just WhatsApped - she came downstairs this morning to find the fairy was on her last legs

Hope that brought a smile if needed and everyone is ok

 

[Weststander]

How’s every doing? Do check - especially if you are struggling.

So far it’s a good family Christmas in London staying at Mother’s but I’m beginning to feel the strain tbh My ill health makes the effort very difficult indeed.

BIL and Sister cooked amazing meal for 14 family members at their house down the road last night for Christmas Eve dinner - BIL got a bit sozzled along with the rest of us and spent an hour bending my ear to get me to sign up for Fantasy Football (I don’t play - always hated the idea because it takes the focus off BHA for me). I think I upset him with some undiplomatic slurs on ManU during the course of conversation so need to watch my step.

Already exhausted and done in after 2 days with the deaf oldies having to shout because they won’t put in their hearing aids - and watching octogenarians use android and ipads is driving me crazy, especially when they can’t hear who is on the phones, can’t see passwords even if you show it to them, can’t find the volume buttons on anything - its like running an IT class for 4 year olds and very draining - now doing what I said I wouldn’t do, spending Christmas Day in bed alone and very peaceful and quiet - will join others for dinner at Sister’s this evening (maybe!)

The really fantastic news is all the Americans and Sister and BIL are going ice skating on Boxing Day afternoon so been asked to go and dog sit at the BIL house - which means I have a perfect excuse to leave the oldies here for the whole afternoon and go and put my feet up at my BIL‘s and watch uninterrupted football on a large leather sofa on super size TV screen and drink some beer. Perfect. (If I make it that far!)


Sister just WhatsApped - she came downstairs this morning to find the fairy was on her last legs
View attachment 155031

Hope that brought a smile if needed and everyone is ok

Sympathies here. I/we seem to have eased ourselves out of all that crap in recent years. Some memories of being bored, when it should’ve been our special day as a small family unit together. Thankfully we’ve got that again this Xmas.

All the best. Hopefully you’ll escape next time! Look after yourself and I hope you enjoy the break once you’re back at home.