CHRISTMAS 2018/NEW YEARS Chillout Lounge

[kanga_brumby]

Hey Everybody! Christmas is the time of year to enjoy & share with family & friends. Some people will spend this time alone & isolated too!
This is a safe place where people can post and say hello, chat or send wishes to others and have a 'Virtual Christmas/New Years'!
Whether you have plans for Christmas/New Years or having a quiet one you can kick back and just enjoy company of others. Its been a long year. Even if you have never posted on Beyond Blue before you are very welcome to come in and sit around our 'Virtual Christmas Tree' and chat 🙂
You asked for this Paul here it is for all.
Santa (AKA Kanga Peter) Ho Ho! 🙂

[Guest_9466]

Like some of you, I find the Christmas period a difficult time to deal with. Although, I am not Aussie born and bred, I have lived here longer than in cob. Since my mum died when I was 14, Chinese New Year lost it’s meaning for me. When I moved to the UK, the Chinese New Year festivity is replaced by Christmas dread. After all, Christmas is a celebration of family gathering. As I moved to the UK for tertiary education, so no family around which then spelt alone and loneliness; a bystander. However, I am no longer alone and no longer a bystander as I now have hubby and an adult daughter but still, the sadness and loneliness remain.

So, what is it that makes me feel so? Next year, I am determine to spend X’mas abroad. Last X’mas was pretty special as daughter and I spent X’mas in Paris. Next year, this family of three will do the same. Perhaps, then, this stress, anxiety and loneliness may dissipate for a little while. Thanks for listening.

[Cordy]

Hi Moonstruck

I understand how you feel. Hang in there. We need to treat this time as another day and do the best we can. I am learning if I don't want to do something that puts me in a position that hurts me emotionally, I am allowed to remove myself or limit the time that I am in that space. We have to try and put ourselves first and remember that these feelings are only feelings and it doesn't mean they rule us and are true. Easier said than done. Do something nice for yourself.

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone

Hey Moon 🙂 This thread has a lot of people that feel like you do.....including me too! Its hard time of year for everyone

ChrisB mentioned "The chillout lounge here is a social space, but it's also a place to talk about and share coping strategies for the festive season"

Its a flexible place to be in Moon.....even if you dont like Christmas 🙂

Hello MorningGlory and Cordy ! This is an open thread that people can say if they are happy or having difficulty during this period. Thankyou so much for posting here 🙂

MorningGlory mentioned " Like some of you, I find the Christmas period a difficult time to deal with" I understand where you are coming from MorningGlory and well said as there are many people like you and I find this time of year somewhat difficult.

Cordy....Thankyou so much for this "We have to try and put ourselves first and remember that these feelings
are only feelings and it doesn't mean they rule us and are true"

Thankyou MorningGlory and Cordy for posting some great thoughts and excellent coping skills here 🙂

You are spot on Cordy...to understand these bad vibrations are only feelings is so true and thankyou

CMF...thankyou for helping with Moon and the link to her thread too. Its not a good time of year for her....

If anyone wishes to say hello to Moon her thread is;

www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/long-term-support-over-the-journey/i-can't-find-the-right-place-for-me-to-post

Thankyou CMF

Paul x

[CMF]

Thank Paul and hi to everyone.

just finished watching the movie 'Love actually' seen it so many times, always on this time of year. I realised tonight I have never seen the start if it. Well I picked up on a few more things this time. This movie usually makes me feel down and I cry because in real life it's not always a happy ending but I enjoyed it tonight. I'm not really into all the Christmas movies but there are a couple I'll watch ...every year.

its just hit midnight...2 more sleeps to go. I'll be watching the Carols on to and popping in here Christmas Eve along with Paul. Everyone is welcome to join us.

does anyone get together with friends/ family Christmas Eve? Anyone go to midnight mass? I remember as a child my grandparents and Aunty, uncle and cousins would come over. The men would play cards and us women would all go off to midnight mass. Christmas Day my siblings would all come over for dinner.

any other traditions out there?

cmf x

[blondguy]

Thankyou CMF!

CMF posted an excellent question asking 'if anyone has any traditions for Christmas Eve'?

"does anyone get together with friends/ family Christmas Eve? Anyone go to midnight mass? I remember as a child my grandparents and Aunty, uncle and cousins would come over"

Hugs for everybody with 2 more sleeps to go

Paul xo

[geoff]

Paul, those 2 videos are always fantastic Xmas songs. Geoff.

[Doolhof]

Hello Everyone,

Thinking of you all, wishing you all a sense of peace as you go about your day, doing what ever it is this Saturday before Christmas finds you doing.

Today I'm preparing food ready for tomorrow. My sister and her children have been sharing Christmas Eve with us for many years. I have invited some friends to join us as well.

I'm making my mother in laws Christmas pudding recipe, an Aunts caramel slice, my husbands cherry balls and will prepare some healthy food as well! Ha. Ha. I can cut up the ham ready, make a salad and see what else I can prepare in advance.

The kitchen will look like it usually does when I cook! Stuff everywhere! It maybe a good thing Hubby is at work all day today!

Cheers all, wishing you all a bit of serenity. Hugs from Dools

[velvetfaerie]

Pssssst .... CMF sent me here ***wink***

Yeh I have swinging moments at this time of year. Depresses me, but at the moment I’m determined to find enjoyment.

When did the ability to link YouTube things happen !!!!!

😱😱😱😱😱

[CMF]

Hi all,

Mrs D ...think I want to come past your house Xmas eve lol. I have told little miss tomorrow is Xmas eve and before going to bed we need to leave something for Santa, Rudolph and the other reindeers. I suggested a cookie, a carrot and some milk. Bring the thoughtful lilttle miss that she is she said we need 2 carrots so there is enough for all the reindeers to share. So a cookie, glass of milk and 2 carrots it is!

Can we believe it's here already?

cmf

[CMF]

Oh Velvet, you snuck in while I was posting hehe.

im determined to find enjoyment too this year. Come and hang out with us when you feel like it. I think the YouTube links are a Xmas treat.