I've put the title in red and green to make it 'festive-y' (because I am a 27-year-old who turns into a small child at Christmas), but for various reasons many of us will find Christmas tough at times.
Christmas can be a stressful time for anyone at times, and with mental health struggles it's even more overwhelming. So I thought it might be helpful to have somewhere to talk things through, rant/vent if needed, exchange tips or advice, get some emotional/moral support when things are difficult, or just to find some ways to help Christmas to run smoothly.
Some of the things I find helpful are:
Plan ahead - Ok, it is December now, but there's still 23 days to plan and prepare! That might mean getting any Christmas shopping done early before the shops become so crowded and hectic, but also planning things like activities to do, places to go, and things that you can do to help yourself if things are getting overwhelming.
Food/drink - Christmas can be terrifying for those of us who struggle with disordered eating. Most importantly, remember it is ok to do this. It is normal, and it is just food. There is no value attached to it. Try to work out a meal plan or organise/plan meals in advance if you're struggling, so that you know what to expect, but remember it is ok to be flexible too. Ask for support if you need it, and if you can let people know what helps (I find all the weight/food talk very difficult, for example, so try to stay distanced from all that).
Get out of the house - Especially on the few days over Christmas itself, it can be really helpful to go for a walk, wander around, or get some fresh air. I like going for a wander around the residential areas in December to enjoy the pretty (and tacky!) Christmas lights. What does everyone else enjoy doing?
Give yourself time to rest - Quiet time, time to hide away for a bit with a book or a Christmas film and a hot drink, art & craft stuff, anything that helps you relax. Don't feel like you have to be around people and sociable 24/7! It's ok to say no sometimes. Put yourself first, and if you're not feeling up to something, take time to do some self-care and relax.
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Take each day as it comes, and please do reach out for support if you're struggling. You're not alone. <3
I'm working both Christmas and New Year this year, which is a bit ****. Work itself will be fine, but it means not being able to spend time with family or friends, and I'll be coming home to an empty house which is a bit depressing.
"I know you're sad, so I won't tell you to have a good day. Instead, I advise you to simply have a day.
Stay alive, feed yourself well, wear comfortable clothes, and don't give up on yourself just yet.
It'll get better. Until then, have a day."
Thank you for starting this. Christmas is a bad time for me. This will be my second Christmas since I lost my mum. People probably think I should be ok now it's the second one, but I'm not.
Take too many pictures, laugh too much and love like you've never been hurt because every 60seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back
...don't be afraid your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.
Thank you for starting this. Christmas is a bad time for me. This will be my second Christmas since I lost my mum. People probably think I should be ok now it's the second one, but I'm not.
You should absolutely not have to be ok now it's the second one. I felt very very similar (and it is now my sixth Christmas without my mum), but in fact the second Christmas I actually found more difficult - I think the first was so 'new' that we were still pretty numb and finding our feet, the second was when the reality really hit. Even now (my mum died in 2011), I'm ok and generally absolutely fine throughout most of December, but on Christmas Eve I often find myself feeling 'quiet', so I will always take some time to just curl up on the sofa and watch a Christmas movie on my own and have some space to just be quiet.
Serendipity - That can be really tough. I'm going to be waking up on my own and on my own at the end of the day, and even that can feel a bit lonely. Have you got anything nice you can do in the evening to treat yourself a bit?
Thank you for this post. Its seems the pace of everything speeds up at xmas and you are expected to keep up. I always find family, friend and work engagements quite draining and as the double even triple in Decembery it can be a struggle. Its hard to remember self care when everything seems so much more demanding.
It's more the end of the year that gets me. One more year of failure, one more year not going anywhere, another year of exciting updates from other peoples lives.
Crazed wolf in store "a mistake" admits Asda
Oh what can you say at the end of the day, was the plot so sound or the lines profound. Was there rather less grain than chaff. Oh what can you say at the end of the day. You can say you made them laugh.
Hi all, how has everyone been doing the last few days? I hope things have been as peaceful as they can be, and the same for the lastlast week of 2016.
My Christmas has been unexpected. I've been on a Section 2 in hospital for the past almost 3 weeks, so I haven't actually been able to do anything festive, watch my favourite Christmas films, wrap presents or anything. I've only been off the ward for an hour in that time with a member of staff, so kind of missed most of it.
I did get a visit from my dad and step-mum today with some lovely gifts which made my day, and visits from a couple of friends recently, so that was nice. The last couple of days has been tough (my blood sugars dropped last night and I only narrowly avoided A&E and was not well this morning), but Christmas colouring is always good for relaxing at least.
Thinking of everyone who has found Christmas tough this year xxx
I'm reLly missing my mum today. I wish she were here. I spent Christmas with my uncle which was nice but wasn't the same. I took a nap earlier and dreamed about her. It wasn't a good dream. She was really sick. I don't know what to do. I want her back.
Oh J, I can understand too and I'm so sorry you are struggling. The dreams where your loved one is sick are so upsetting, and however much you can have happy times with whoever you are with, it doesn't take away sometimes from the fact that sometimes all you want is your mummy.
Thinking of you and everyone else in the same situation too x
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