Merry and Bright or Bah Humbug, how do you feel about the holidays?

[Summer Rose]

As the old saying goes, Christmas comes but once a year, and judging by my trip to the mall today it has well and truly arrived. Crowds of shoppers, bustling about, looking for the perfect gift. Not all of us here on the forum celebrate Christmas but I doubt than any of us can ignore it.

The advertisers tell us this is the best time of the year. A chance to enjoy the good things in life, spend time with the family and generally eat, drink and be merry. But this simply isn't the case for everyone. The holiday and its associated activities (e.g. shopping, cooking, travelling, etc) triggers stress, sadness and depression for a lot of people. I'm one of them.

Don't get me wrong, I love my husband, kids and Australian family and friends and I will no doubt enjoy the holidays. But for me, Christmas is always tinged with a hefty dose of sadness, which I carry inside and try to hide. This is because my mum, my sister and her family and all of my extended family live overseas. I've lived in Australia for some 30 years and you'd think I'd be used to this by now but I'm not.

So, I'm wondering how Christmas affects you? Are you looking forward to the holiday, feeling stressed or feeling left out because it's not something you participate in? What are your strategies for protecting your mental health this festive season?

[Guest2910]

Hi Geoff,

"THANK YOU"for your 2019 well wishes.

So kind of you.

Please don't be offended if I don't return any 2019 well wishes to you or anyone else on the BB forum.

It's Not Done Out Of Disrespect To Anyone On The BB Forum.

I remain Neutral in many areas in my life.

It's a Choice of Free Will I've Personally Made Well Over 37yrs ago..

Have a nice day.

Take care

With warm regards,

BBQ 🙂

[geoff]

Hello BBQ, please don't worry at all, but thank you so much for your lovely comment.

Kind Regards.

Geoff.

[Guest2910]

Thank you; Geoff. 🙂

I just turned my gizmo on + was looking on the BB site for information of how to cancel my account when i saw your message.:)

I find this is an excellent forum for those in need for it but in my case it's not really suitable as I have extreme limitations of much I can disclose of myself or help anyone without upsetting others due to my "Neutrality" on many topics which are discussed on the forum. I do have the qualifications to help many. ......

Have read many of your posts, i find you're a reasonable sort of man of who has the ability to help others in many areas due to your own personal experiences. That's so important to have those qualities so in essence you're have a greater measure of understanding of how life ticks.

In my case, I'm in a similar situation as yourself. I'm a female "young in heart" body says something else......

Yes i do suffer depression due to circumstances beyond my own control. Do have the empathy, compassion, insight + knowledge of why many have suffered. ... but am limited how much i can help without overstepping the boundaries of what I do in my own personal life.

Having said that, it was nice to have a couple of brief chats with you.

All the Best

Take Care + I Wish You Well as you pursue Your fine qualities to help those in need.

Keep up with your good work!!

Kindness Regards.

BBQ

Since I'm going to sign out of the forum

[blondguy]

Hello BBQ

just wishing you all the very best for 2019. I hope that the new year is good to you

You are not on your own where depression is concerned. If you require any support for any reason you are always welcome

My kind thoughts for you

Paul

[Guest2910]

Hi Paul.

Thanks so much for your nice words of ecouragrment which I truly appreciate. I've noticed that's there 2 blondeguys on this forum. Are you both the one person? or different individuals? What gender please?

I started off on the Welcome + Orientation section + still there as I'm NOT a technical minded person to click here + there so Mary suggested to stay that section. She had given me so great advice about how to go about it, unfortunately I don't seem to get the gist of it so when able, the next time I go to Maccas for a cuppa, I'll ask one of the assigned staff there as they have a provision to help those who are L-Platers....

Paul if you like to read my post in that section, Topic:- Supporting each other in times of...

Mary has been trying her Very Best to help me which I also appreciate kindly. Somehow I can't seem to Express myself to her as much as i would like to. It tells a little bit about issues which I'm currently dealing with.

Thanks for your interest.

With warm regards,

BBQ

[geoff]

Hello BBQ, thanks so much for your generous and appreciative comment.

There's an old saying 'Hold your horses', in other words, stay until the new forums are launched, probably March 2019, I believe.

Under the Welcome + Orientation, Depression, PTSD & Trauma, Staying Well, Treatments, etc on the right hand side you will see New Thread, it's in a blue coloured box, then whatever section you want to post your new thread, press that. make a title of some sort, then type whatever you want to say, not sure whether Mary told you that, but give it a go before you leave.

There have been many comments I've made which I believe would help others, saying it in

I think other sites will have similar rules, I know that the forums need to do this, but you are capable of saying what you want in a way that people understand, if not then it's another way to express yourself with your empathy, compassion, insight + knowledge you have.

Please have a think and by doing this please stay on a little longer.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Take Care.

Geoff.