New Year

Hi Kate, good to see you posting again

I find this whole time of year difficult. I’ve repeatedly had burnout at this time of year for the last few years and have again this year, so I am dreading going back to work on Monday. Had a bit of a crisis at the start December then went off for a few weeks so I don’t know what to expect when I go back.

Also I lost both my parents around this time of year and spending Christmas and New Year’s Day alone gave me too much time to dwell on loneliness and life and my future (or lack thereof).

Hopefully things will be better once we get back into the swing of it.

Thank you. It feels so validating being here.

I'm not really good at it, but focusing on one day at a time and exercising are a good way to avoid overthinking (I forgot that you asked ways to feel better before). Wish for the best for you and your son. 

I can totally relate to what you write about this. Uncertainty and overthinking - yes. I’m sorry you’re struggling with ocd - my son really struggles with ocd too and it’s incredibly difficult for him. I wish you as smooth a journey as possible through these next few weeks. 

Yes. Now that I've read some more comments I feel seen, as you might too. I've always wondered why this happens.

I personally find the night before exciting and I'm grateful to celebrate it with the people I love, but as far as I wake up all the good expectations and reasons that are supposed to uplift me just disappear. Yesterday, as the ritual I have, I wrote my last 2024 thoughts, felt great. Today I woke up and felt numb, read, cried, stayed in bed... 

I think uncertainty just hits and gets us overthinking, in my case with ocd too is just unbereable, but as far as these few weeks are gone, everything will be better. 

Yes. I’m definitely getting outside tomorrow to blow the cobwebs away. I think it will be freezing - that should provide a shot of energy to the system!

Yes - I don’t go out to work - but my husband does and I miss him when he goes back. I woke up early this morning and started thinking about stuff as I lay there - that started a bit of a downhill spiral! I should have got straight up and done something rather than lying there ruminating. I think I might get up early tomorrow and go straight out for an early morning walk. 

Yes - I haven’t been out for a walk for the last couple of days - I’m going to definitely get out at some point tomorrow. Should help hopefully. Thanks Homebird :) 

It is a very difficult time of the year, especially hard today as the weather is dull. I find the sun shining can lift feelings a bit.

As someone else said the lack of routine doesn't help either so makes days feel long, even the TV is uninspiring. I am hoping things improve next week.

I usually spend January longing to see the first flowers as this gives a hope of new life, warmer days and hopefully more sunshine. If I am able to enjoy a walk it helps and in the dry weather there are usually birds singing.

I hope things improve in the coming days.

I found the period between Boxing Day and New Years day a bit hard this year - it just seemed flat and dull, I had some intrusive thoughts and a few nights when I didn't sleep well. But today I've been planning getting out over the next couple of days and that's made me feel a bit more normal. I'm also now feeling happy that I'm retired and don't have to go back to work tomorrow - hurrah!

Thanks Number - I’m glad you have things that work for you. I hope you have a good rest after all that work! 

These times of year are always strange as the days exist outside of a normal week, in their own right, so it's discombobulating before we have begun. Like other members have said - while not ideal, exhaustion is a coping mechanism,  as is getting out of the house. No matter what the weather, accessibility or mood, a temporary change of scene with fresh air can foster some difference. I don't mean to cheer anyone up, but difference in attention. I find its needed most when I don't want to do it!

I often feel a bit flat over new year, I think I'm just fed up with all the disruption of the whole festering season. When I was a teenager and then again at uni New Year was the festival spent with friends whereas xmas was spent with family, it felt more meaningful then.

I took the xmas decs down today, I love putting them up every year, but I soon get fed up with them.

I had very little sleep last night....and have been working, on my feet for 10hrs now.  I actually find that physical exhaustion+sleep deprivation=I can keep going and stay focused on things.....but most importantly=I don't catastrophise nor doom think because I haven't got the spoons for that too.

I'm unusual in quite a few of my coping behaviours.....they are mainly counter-intuitive....but I know they help me.

I am utterly knackered now.

I hope tomorrow will bring your mind a fresh and invigorating dawn (hopefully the one in the stripey socks even?!)

Be well mate.

I generally am pretty good at being mindful about gratitude - but today it’s all gone out the window. Isn’t it weird how your mental health can just nosedive - it can just come out of nowhere and just hit you. I hope you enjoy the new Lego - the things that reliably give us pleasure are worth their weight in gold :) 

I’m sorry you’ve been ill over Christmas - I hope you’re much better now. 

Thank you Number. I’m sorry you experience this feeling too. I started to clear up a room and throw some stuff away - it helped a bit but I soon ran out of energy and motivation. Thank you for your kind words - I really do appreciate them

I was literally thinking about this today and said to myself that I don’t think I’ve ever had a good New Year’s Day. When I look back, it always seem to struggle a lot on New Year’s Day. I can’t think exactly the reason why, maybe it’s the anticipation of the upcoming year and the anxieties of not knowing what life will throw my way. 
A few years ago I was detained on New Year’s Day in hospital due to my mental health, so I kind of try and feel thankful that I’m at least starting a new year, but I generally hate the pressure of it.
The only thing I’ve actually look forward to is the new sets that Lego release which I can now buy lol

Excellent to see you Kate.

I share the issues you speak of.  I find "doing" and instigating "movement" the most essential things that I must do to prevent descent and stagnation (and "dooming") about the undeniably bleak feel I sense about the future - both immediate and short term.  Jobs are getting done....mindless or otherwise......simply to keep my mind away from negative rumination.   I need to busy on a day like today.

FYI.....your presence here is good for my mood....so thank you.

Hi this year no I’ve been really ill with flu and the stress of Christmas and everything I’m glad it’s over. Today I’ve been resting in my pjs all day just popped out to get some food for my tea later. Last night I was over my friends until the early hours of the morning and woke up at 1 this afternoon.