To have to do an ‘Emma Thompson’ this Christmas?

Sometimes a thread just stops you in your tracks and makes you realise that your life really ain't that bad. This is one of those threads. Sending love and light to everyone struggling with life right now for whatever reason. I hope 2026 sees you all having a much better time of it x

I'm waiting for results from cancer biopsies.
When I called the receptionist slipped and said that the consultant would be in touch to discuss next steps, then corrected herself to say, would be in touch to give me results. That doesn't sound like a negative results to me, and it's playing on my mind. I'm pretending to not know my results are back or that I suspect they're not great.

Ailing parents, an accident during the year that caused PTSD and now clinical depression to boot. The nothingness is a killer. I’m normally so full of life and being so flat is horrible. Not helped by getting out of bed being a mammoth task at the moment.

I am so sorry your pain is increasing. Is there a plan for pain relief? Such a cruel illness x

First Xmas after divorce, kids (each of whom have been distraught by being bullied this year) are with their father for Xmas, my mum has had a fall, broken limbs in various places and is in hospital 2 hours away, having had surgery today, and I can’t visit her (or go to the party I was going to attend tonight) as I’ve developed the Christmas holiday lurgy and am really unwell. For the first time ever in almost 50 years I’m totally alone on Xmas Eve, feeling sorry for myself and worrying about others.

For so many reasons 2025 has been absolutely shite (although with pockets of brightness). Time for things to improve now, please!

My Christmas is great this year, but 5 years ago I had just been diagnosed with cancer on the 10th dec and found out on the 23rd that it was a particularly aggressive type and that I would need years of chemo. It was a pretty shitty Christmas that year but I had to hold it together for the sake of my 7 and 9 year old children.

Life gets better, I’m only 18 months out of chemo and still living with the side effects but for now I am cancer free and in remission, that feels good!

Thank you. It really is. I feel like people don’t understand.

Absolutely! Bereavement for me, my Dad died in November a few years ago and the firsts hit so hard, especially when so raw. You're deeply grieving but have to carry on, same with other past events. Just because it's Christmas it doesn't flip a switch to be happy, the harsh and cruel reality of life changes you forever. Xxx

I’m so sorry. Bereavement after estrangement is a whole new world of lonely, confusing, grief-laced mindfuckery. Give yourself time and grace.

I was Emma Thompsoning last Christmas and the one before. Just me and my kids this year as I have blocked contact with their Dad. It gets better, I’m not fully ‘there’ but I’m certainly getting there.

I hope you have the best Christmas you can have under the circumstances. Same to everyone else ❤️ Wishing everyone all the best for 2026.

I had a dream a week ago my partner was texting another woman, I made a joke of it and he got his back up a bit which made me suspicious.

My partner took my kids away to his London to visit family for a few days at end of last month.

I found a message on his phone today, it started from his brother to his girl saying they where out and if she wanted to join them. Followed by a message from my partner to her saying bring that spanish girl out if your coming (btw it’s partners name)

I then found a deleted d**k pic that isn’t actually my partners so he’s either turned gay or save a pic off line to send to someone.

last year we hit a rough patch and I found a message of him declaring he was thinking how he could have made different choices and he loved a girl he used to work with years ago, and he wanted to take her away for the weekend and just have sex with her.

so yeah that’s my Christmas this year

Sending thoughts and love

My Dad died 6 weeks ago. We were estranged but weird things have totally floored me eg. Christmas lights we would visit together, a very unique prize won at a raffle which is something he used to buy me…

I’ve been off work since his death and don’t feel fit to work due to the death as it’s a confrontational job and I just keep crying.

Thought I was ok until my daughter said “you clearly aren’t fit to go back to work yet” 😢. Hoping to pick up over Xmas albeit it’s a difficult time. I get that more than ever now.

So just making my way through for my kids really and trying not to overthink.

I have a neck issue which makes me dissociated, depressed and full of doom and fear when it kicks off. I dont know when it's going to kick off but it decided to yesterday. Then today I called the nursing home my friend is in to let them know I was coming with her Christmas present. They told me she died 2 weeks ago. My perimenopause is coming to an end after 10 years and so my hormones are on a rollercoaster even more than usual and im not in my right mind. I am also hosting tomorrow same as usual and I wish everyone the best of luck. This year has been tough for so many.

Sending love to everyone, my child aged 12 was in hospice this time 4 years ago and died in January.

I agree - so much of what makes Christmas alienating is the idea everyone else is happy. But we can take solace that we are not alone and that good times might follow bad, one day and that we have no option but to keep
on, keeping on.

Spilt up with DH is September but we are still living in the same house. He has not taken it well and his mental health is terrible. DS14 asked what his dad hadn’t spoken to him in over a week. Trying to make it normal. For DS but it’s hell on earth. Constantly waiting for DH to erupt or do something awful and the atmosphere is oppressive.

When something " bad" is happening to you.. you think it just " you".. but it's happening to thousands of people all over the world... it's not a competition.. to each and everyone of us.. our " pain.. be it physical or emotional is just as important to each of us as it is to everyone one else.. l have one very very happy daughter.. spending her first Christmas with her new wife.. and 3 Grandkids ( two step) and myself.. then l have my other daughter who is stressed with 3 teenage boys all ASD and various problems.. l myself have chronic pain and 3 surgeries coming up... missing my sister who sadly passed away... last Christmas l was in Theraphy due to another mental breakdown... but l survived it..
Sending healing thoughts and virtual hug and love to anyone who may need it.
You are probably stronger than you realise.❤️🌺❤️

I am so tired

I could have written this.
Adult DD2 decided to be NC with us 6 months ago. On the few occasions we’ve seen us she has ignored us or cut us dead.

We have spent her entire life trying to appease her as nothing we ever did for her was good enough and she has never shown she’s cared about us in any way. I am heartbroken - especially as DD1 is expecting our 1st grandchild after 8 years of infertility. We just want the whole family to share the joy this baby will bring next year.

This whole thread has been heartbreaking. I’ve read every post and have been in tears reading all the harrowing stories.

I wish you all nothing but peace and to know that I’m thinking of you and sending love ❤️

3 bereavements in 3 months. 2 of my siblings need a lot of support as NHS waiting lists have exacerbated their health issues (including cancer).

DH redundant with not a single response to his 300+ applications. I have to keep the faith but know vanishingly few people over 50 who are finding employment.

DH is too ashamed to tell people and it’s wrecking his mental health.

I am taking every contract I can which is leaving me exhausted.

This thread breaks my heart. I had my ET moment/moments 6yrs ago (and further back): XH and his antics (and my lightbulb moment of "enough is enough"!), my parents dying, XH and I splitting/divorcing etc. I've never forgotten how I felt then, I don't think people do really, do they? Sure, my life isn't always easy now, but it is still a damned sight better than back then, and reflecting back on the old ET moments makes me appreciate my current life so much. I'm sending love, strength and peace to all. I really hope that things resolve for people xxx

Oh my goodness it certainly is not nothing .I hope they get his temperature sorted quickly and you can both be back home asap. Wishing him and you and your family all the very best and sending a big warm handhold xx

Sorry to hear about your struggle. Yes this time of year is so enotionaly charged isn't it. I hope you're not too uset and you manage to have a good time over the holiday 🎄❤️