FESTIVE SEASON STRUGGLES

[Doolhof]

Season's Greetings everyone.

We have a lovely cheery Christmas and New Years thread started up in the Social Zone. Hope you can drop by there and share some joy and happiness.

This is the alternate thread, where you can share the not so pleasant memories of Christmas or the concerns you may have for Christmas 2016.

For me, my depressive brain decides to hassle me about Christmas in November! That is so unnecessary! I need to break this habit!

So on this thread you can share the negative and hopefully find a positive at the end.

You might like to share what the worst present was that you ever received, or how sad and miserable you are at Christmas.

By sharing, we may well be able to help and support each other through a time that can be very tough for some.

This is the place to vent, the thread on the Social Zone is also waiting for you to add your happy thoughts and memories of Christmas and New Years.

Thinking of you all, hugs from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

To all my dear extended family and friends,

Thank you one and all for helping to make this thread a special place to be, no matter if you are happy or sad at the moment, we are all sharing and encouraging each other. Ah, blessings to you all!

So far I haven't been around our little town at night time to see if anyone does have Christmas lights on! I might do a drive around Saturday night. There is one lady here who leaves her lights on all year round. Just sharing the cheer!

It is really sad to read that people are having their lights stolen or shot at! That really is so sad.

I'm going to the shops tomorrow to buy some little gifts for children we may run into on Christmas Day. It will make me very happy to give those out.

We have friends coming tomorrow night for dinner so I have brought in a nativity scene and a 40 c,m, high Christmas tree from the shed. I also have the Christmas wreath on the front door. Now to sweep up the front porch...later.

I haven't responded to you all individually in case I accidently miss one of you dear people out in my comments.

The weekend is almost upon us, I hope you are all able to make the most of each day as the 25th of December approaches.

Thanks everyone for your precious messages. I will accept all the love and care you all send me, and return it to you as well.

I like the idea of having cherubs in my aura, thanks Starwolf!

Cheers all, wishing you a bit of happiness and a sense of peace. Love and hugs from me to you.

[Kazzl]

Thank YOU for making this thad so special Mrs Dools! And we'll take good care of it when you go away.

Kaz

xxx

[Shred1106]

Hear Hear Kaz!

[girl_interrupted]

Thank you Sara, you are a warm, insightful and incredibly strong woman. Bless you for your kindness and inspiring words. I'm glad that we can all come here and give each other the warmth and support that we all need and deserve xx

[girl_interrupted]

Dear Shred, I'm glad that you have people around you to give you support and love. Thinking of you during this tough time. It's horrible to think that people stoop that low to steal a family's xmas lights. The worst of them come out this time of year, sadly. I am also allergic to people (agoraphobia) and avoid as much as possible. It's hard sometimes when you just have to force yourself to go to the shop. I also haven't bothered with xmas cards this year - it's just too hard lol. I feel bad but I will email the people who mean the most to me to let them know I'm still thinking of them. The sentiment should be enough. Thankfully it will be over soon and we can all get back to some form of normal. Take care, BB friend x

[1113]

Warm good moring all,

Things are being to look happier for everone!

Have a positive day!

SWJ

Peace

Matt

[blackcat64013]

A lovely friend of mine sent me a Christmas mental health checklist to see if my depression will feel worse than usual if I

1. rush about to do holiday shopping
2. am busy engaging in community events and Christmas parties
3. have trouble dealing with family
4. accept hosting responsibilities
5. am spending above my means
6. have anxiety about letting people down, not living up to responsibilities, being seen in a less favourable light if I don't do x thing, looking for perfect gifts.

I ticked off most of these so I ticked off these words of advice

1. do what you feel comfortable with
2. don't cram too much in
3. reach out for help from family, friends and mental health professional (I am not alone),
4. don't feel guilty for saying no
5. make a plan for the holiday period with small steps, one at a time (Christmas still has 24 hours a day)

[1113]

Pleasure to meet you Blackcat,

Thats a really nice one

Family, friends, drs.....perfect

Guilt is very hard to come to terms with. But there is no blame. There is no guilt, only Christmas Joy.

Be happy everone

SWJ

Peace

Matt.

[Moonstruck]

Ok then - deck the halls, let it snow let it snow (as if) O come all ye faithful and jingle your bells if you must!

I'm glad to be sharing your table this Christmas Sara - what a peculiar group of guests you'll have won't you....all of us...quite a motley crew!! I can't think of another bunch of people I'd rather share the time with than this lot!! Thank you for letting me come visit with you for a while this year - it's been great to meet you Sara. You used one of my favourite words a couple of posts back..."hideous". I love that word. You don't hear it a lot these days do you?...Hideous. Very apt....you don't mind if I borrow it occasionally do you?

Keep smiling beautiful - love to all from Moon S x

(I forgot to remind everyone about the fabulous FULL MOON this week.....didja all see it???? that's me, in the photo just on the left there...that's what I was doing!)

[1113]

Hi moonbear,

It was a spectacular full moon. I Didn't miss it this time. I stood outside at 2am for a 1hr just watching.

It was clear and calm and so bright. The dog was barking at it. The planet was quiet. A bit like this forum atm. Doh

Supermoon.

Peace