Holiday Blues

[YogiBare]

Many people get depressed during the holiday season. As a matter of fact, the number of suicides jumps dramatically during this time of year.

Comparing our lives at this holiday period against prior years, against our hopes and dreams, or against other people's lives can highlight important losses and disappointments. Feelings of loneliness, failure, and depression can result.

Are you struggling with these feelings this holiday season? Share them with the rest of us on the Board and get yourself some love.



(Edited to correct typos.)

 

[plasticman33]

Depressed??

Hell no, I'm happier than I've ever been!

 

[juicylips]

.

Comparing our lives at this holiday period against prior years, against our hopes and dreams, or against other people's lives can highlight important losses and disappointments. Feelings of loneliness, failure, and depression can result.

.



(Edited to correct typos.)

Thanks for asking, but no, I am usually extremely happy during the holidays.

But, ask me around Sept. 29 (my birthday) and then you will see loneliness, failure and depression, lol

Cassidy

 

[Wiggles]

Holidays

.

 

[plasticman33]

Bah! Humbug!

juicylips is right, birthdays are depressing! But I love the Christmas season!

 

[juicylips]

Re: Bah! Humbug!

juicylips is right, birthdays are depressing! But I love the Christmas season!

Love your av... I can feel that hand right on my ass, lol

Cassidy

 

[Elizabeth]

I'm really dreading this Xmas. I had a miscarriage last December. 4 days before Xmas. I was really devestated and it made the whole holiday really sad. This year, my parents are coming. I haven't seen them for a year or so. I love them but their presence will just add to my stress. But I do love the holidays and seeing my kids happy. I just wish it wasn't so commercial.

 

[Gilly Bean]

Just my quick 2 cents, since I need to go pick up brat 1 at school.

I have never found christmas to be depressing for me, and this year is no exception. I am looking forward to not only Christmas with my family, but a new baby.

Next, yes, Christmas is commercialized greatly, but you don't have to let it affect how you do christmas at home.

I make my family thier presants every year. Last year it was home made soap, this year, candles. I have done flower wreaths, flower arrangments, and other such stuff, too.

My kids paint ornaments, and give those out for presants, too. That gives them something to make to keep them out of my hair, and everyone gets a new ornament each year to add to the tree. Rather then spending time in the malls, spend time in the kitchen. Make some cookies with the kids. Frost em, decorate em.

Get things like jingle bells, pipe cleaners, little foam cut-outs, and other assorted crafty items. Popscicle sticks, clothes pins, pompom balls. Then, get out some glue, and let the kids go to town on the ornaments. Don't let em use hot glue, though, unless they are older.

Some other activities to keep it a bit more traditional, and less store bought, walk around the neighboorhood and look at all the Christmas decorations, both at night, and during the day. Take the kids to a nursing home with some baked goods, or handmade ornaments to hand out to the elderly. You would be suprised how few of them have people who come visit regularly.


Anyway, I know that's a bit off topic, but I hope it helps. It can also remove some of the stress of having to find the 'perfect' gift, and when yuo are broke, then it's even harder to find. So, improvise, make gifts instead of buying them. Especially coming from kids, they are treasured alot more then a pair of red plaid socks with matching boxers.

 

[juicylips]

I'm really dreading this Xmas. I had a miscarriage last December. 4 days before Xmas. I was really devestated and it made the whole holiday really sad. This year, my parents are coming. I haven't seen them for a year or so. I love them but their presence will just add to my stress. But I do love the holidays and seeing my kids happy. I just wish it wasn't so commercial.

So sorry for you, sweetie.

Big, Big Huggs!!!

Hope this season is more happier than you have ever had

Cassidy

 

[Elizabeth]

So sorry for you, sweetie.

Big, Big Huggs!!!

Hope this season is more happier than you have ever had

Cassidy

Thank you. And the same wishes to you.

 

[plasticman33]

Re: Re: Bah! Humbug!

Love your av... I can feel that hand right on my ass, lol

Cassidy

It is, Juicylips, squeezing tightly!

 

[YogiBare]

Elizabeth

I'm really sorry about the miscarriage a year ago. My ex and I went through that and it was horrible. Can you tell your parents what you're feeling and maybe get some support from them? Would it help to mark the death in some way (light a candle, write a poem, go to church, visit grave, etc.) so that you can then be freed to go on and enjoy the holidays? Just a couple of ideas.

Certainly though, I send you big YogiBare hugs and best wishes. PM any time you want.

 

[Guest]

Elizabeth replied:

I'm really dreading this Xmas. I had a miscarriage last December. 4 days before Xmas. I was really devestated and it made the whole holiday really sad.

Elizabeth,

I'm so very sorry for you. Losing a baby is such a terrible thing to have to deal with. My second child would have been born on December 31st. I lost that child in my 6th month about 10 years ago. The pain never really goes away, it just becomes something very different. You always will remember and that's how it should be. My heart goes out to you.

YogiBare,

As long as we can share the pain and sorrow, the happiness and laughter, the lonely and unfulfilled with each other, that will make the holiday time much easier to live with. Remember, inside all of us there is a very loving and caring soul waiting to emerge. Let's all try to imagine how the other person feels and accept them and hold them close - this can make such a difference.

Enchanted

 

[Elizabeth]

You are all so wonderful and supportive. No, the pain never really goes away but this will be the first anniversary of it all. I couldn't even cry..I was so engulfed in pain. I have not told my parents. They would really take it the wrong way and that I don't need to hear. They would tell me that I don't need to be saddled with another child..this was for the best, ect, ect. I have my own two boys and custody of my step daughter and step son. DH and I have custody since the other parents are not interested in "parenting". Or having anything to do with the kids. And yes, it can be hard. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. This is the part my family can't really understand very well. *sigh*