Page 28 | 2025/26 SAD thread

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 2025-08-31T17:25:46+00:00

It’s 1st September tomorrow so we’re back for another year’s SAD thread. Welcome all old and new who struggles in the cold and dark months for advice and general moaning! The only rule is no talk of snuggling under blankets, crunching in leaves (which will realistically be a soggy wet mulch, or pumpkin spiced anything! Advice from previous years’ threads: A SAD lamp can help as can a daylight alarm clock. Try to get outdoors when the weather/ light allows it. Try to keep up with your exercise routine or start a new one! Remember to take your vitamin D and multi vitamins. Try to have something to look forward to.

Fukcedoff · 11/10/2025 16:25

Gosh you are very community minded ,you do a lot of helping out ,it's very good of you

Original poster

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 11/10/2025 13:15

@Fukcedoff quite possibly, there are links to lots of conditions and autism that I think are only just being talked about!

Pole dancing is sooo much fun! It’s my absolute obsession. Tonight I have to go out again to help out at the village hall again and this time I know I am not going to enjoy myself. And it means no pole dancing again as I know I could do it this afternoon but I do my pole dancing at 7pm 😂. There is some logic to this as it means I can have a shower and put my pjs on after. If I do it this afternoon, I’ll have to have a shower and get redressed and I don’t like to put worn clothes back on, I’m have to redo my make up and fix my hair and it feels like too much. But if I don’t, I’ll feel angsty all night.

My husband is the same, it’s time to leave so let’s just leave!

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Fukcedoff · 11/10/2025 05:08

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 10/10/2025 19:27

Nightmare! I'm autistic too plus have a chronic illness so I understand not wanting your routine changed. You might enjoy playing though- you never know!

3 of us autistic
And with SAD
Wonder if there is a link
I have OCD and alexithiyma and dyslexia and autism and waiting for ADHD asessment

Fukcedoff · 11/10/2025 05:04

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 10/10/2025 23:59

It wasn’t too bad to be fair once I got there (as always!). My friend brought her American friend and DS has a good chat own her about politics, I love listening to him chatting away to adults! I did play and won 2 games and scored 2 bullseyes (completely by accident for both). Everyone that was there was having interesting conversations not just annoying small talk.

Another autistic trait though is that when I want to go, I want to go and DH always drags it out for far too long. We’ve only just got home!

I'm exactly the same ,about when I need to leave ..it's why I haven't been to my in-laws house in a year , because my husband just sits there and doesn't get up when I've packed the car ready to leave ,and I'm getting more and more stressed and he just sits there ..
So I can't cope with going because I can't control when we leave ,and end up sitting in the car for an hour 😩.
But that means no one else has been ,as my husband won't go without me ..god knows why

Fukcedoff · 11/10/2025 05:00

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 10/10/2025 19:16

@Idontknowhatnametochoose the thing is if I wasn’t going there I’d be doing my pole dancing now as per my usual routine (which is part of the problem as I’m autistic and do not like my pole dancing routine being disrupted). I really should just say no but I can’t be arsed with people trying to convince me either!

I'm diagnosed autistic to x have ADHD assessment soon
Pole dancing sounds fun,you must be very fit to do that

Fukcedoff · 11/10/2025 04:57

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 10/10/2025 19:11

I wouldn't enjoy that either @Idstillratherbepaddleboarding . I guess all that would help is to see it as a distraction from the dark evening. But I'd rather be at home for sure!

@Fukcedoff welcome and sorry to hear you're struggling. You're definitely not alone. I hope the supplements help.

Thankyou ..
I am not a winter person,I am already so cold and dreading the next few months.i just love a dress ,I'm so comfortable in a dress in summer ,which I can't wear in winter because my legs get cold ,can't cope with the feeling of tights .
So I'm miserable as well because I'm uncomfortable.
I've used my sad lamp for years ,..every single year I end up getting caught out ,not knowing why I feel so bad ,then remember oh it's October ,less light ,need my light box .

Fukcedoff · 11/10/2025 04:52

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 10/10/2025 18:51

Ok sorry to post again but does anyone have any tips on how I can psych myself up to go out tonight?? Right now I can’t do it. It’s a darts night at the village hall so I’m going to really need to dig deep for this one!

I’m only going as DH will be upset if I don’t as he’s been away all week but he doesn’t get that what’s fun for him is definitely not necessarily fun for me.

Hope it went ok ..was going to give suggestions but then realised your home and dry by now

Original poster

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 10/10/2025 23:59

It wasn’t too bad to be fair once I got there (as always!). My friend brought her American friend and DS has a good chat own her about politics, I love listening to him chatting away to adults! I did play and won 2 games and scored 2 bullseyes (completely by accident for both). Everyone that was there was having interesting conversations not just annoying small talk.

Another autistic trait though is that when I want to go, I want to go and DH always drags it out for far too long. We’ve only just got home!

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Idontknowhatnametochoose · 10/10/2025 19:27

Nightmare! I'm autistic too plus have a chronic illness so I understand not wanting your routine changed. You might enjoy playing though- you never know!

Original poster

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 10/10/2025 19:19

Oh god and I’ve just remembered someone made me promise I’d play tonight too! I don’t even know how to 😂.

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Original poster

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 10/10/2025 19:16

@Idontknowhatnametochoose the thing is if I wasn’t going there I’d be doing my pole dancing now as per my usual routine (which is part of the problem as I’m autistic and do not like my pole dancing routine being disrupted). I really should just say no but I can’t be arsed with people trying to convince me either!

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Idontknowhatnametochoose · 10/10/2025 19:11

I wouldn't enjoy that either @Idstillratherbepaddleboarding . I guess all that would help is to see it as a distraction from the dark evening. But I'd rather be at home for sure!

@Fukcedoff welcome and sorry to hear you're struggling. You're definitely not alone. I hope the supplements help.

Original poster

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 10/10/2025 18:51

Ok sorry to post again but does anyone have any tips on how I can psych myself up to go out tonight?? Right now I can’t do it. It’s a darts night at the village hall so I’m going to really need to dig deep for this one!

I’m only going as DH will be upset if I don’t as he’s been away all week but he doesn’t get that what’s fun for him is definitely not necessarily fun for me.

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Original poster

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 10/10/2025 16:48

@Fukcedoff of course you’re welcome! I feel the same. I have to go out (again) tonight and I’ve been dreading it all day 😭.

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Fukcedoff · 10/10/2025 16:12

Just saw about 5HTP ..I've got some of that stashed away ..I just forget to take stuff ..will get it out and take some

Fukcedoff · 10/10/2025 16:10

Hello ,may I join .
I've been having an awful week ,not knowing why I'm suddenly struggling so much ,and I feel like someone has thrown a blanket over me .
I reckon it's my SAD ,I get it every year ,and every year I forget I get it ,and I have a really bad week untill I get my lamp out .
Oh my goodness it's 4 pm ,and I feel like I should be in bed

lyingonthebeach · 10/10/2025 12:41

I started 5-HTP a week ago. I hope it helps. Let's compare notes

MissyB1 · 10/10/2025 08:53

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 10/10/2025 08:44

Honestly, I’d listen to it and then instantly forget 🙈🙈.

I’ve looked in to 5-HTP and it sounds good but would interact with my Sertraline. Worth a try if you’re not on antidepressants though.

Show quote history

Yes I’m not on anything else so I really want to give it a go. I’m also going to try prebiotics, there seem to be so many benefits to improving gut health, I’m wondering if it could help mental health 🤔

Original poster

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 10/10/2025 08:44

MissyB1 · 09/10/2025 19:38

I was forgetting to take my vitamins too but I’m setting a reminder on Alexa now. I’m thinking of trying 5- htp too, which can apparently help boost serotonin levels.

Honestly, I’d listen to it and then instantly forget 🙈🙈.

I’ve looked in to 5-HTP and it sounds good but would interact with my Sertraline. Worth a try if you’re not on antidepressants though.

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MissyB1 · 09/10/2025 19:38

I was forgetting to take my vitamins too but I’m setting a reminder on Alexa now. I’m thinking of trying 5- htp too, which can apparently help boost serotonin levels.

mrsdiddlydoo · 09/10/2025 18:34

I am prone to migraines so I am treading carefully. And I had read about building up your time with them. Thanks for all the tips!

I've just eaten the best jacket potato ever and now feel like a human jacket potato 😝

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 09/10/2025 10:56

If you're prone to migraines like i am be extra careful as the lamp can trigger them.

Lots of sunny days down south so haven't needed mine yet!

Original poster

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 09/10/2025 10:37

@mrsdiddlydoo that’s the problem, I don’t want to be a busy bee 🐝😂. I want to hide away, cuddle my dog and pole dance! but there are too many expectations on me (mainly from DH if I’m being honest who is a social butterfly). When I have to go out, I spend the rest of the day beforehand full of anxiety and dread 😭.

I have a reminder set, I forget to notice it 😂😂.

I do think you need to build up the time using the SAD lamp. Sorry I forgot about that as I’ve been using one for years! Also, try putting it to the side of you so it’s not right in your line of sight and also if there’s different settings, start with the lowest light level.

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mrsdiddlydoo · 09/10/2025 08:59

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding sounds like you are a busy bee! I'm more a hide away from people person. Would setting a reminder on your phone to take your vitamins help?

I've just tried using one of my SAD lamps and have turned it off after 15 minutes because I'm getting a headache! I'm interested to see if they help me.

Original poster

Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 07/10/2025 09:56

@mrsdiddlydoo ooh they look good and a good price!

TBH I keep forgetting to take my vitamins 🙈. I know it would make me feel better to take them! My heart rate is always pretty low, the nurse took the ECG to the doctor who asked if I do a lot of exercise and I said yes but when I thought about it, I only do an hour of pole dancing a day so it’s not like I’m a marathon runner. I’ll talk to the doctor about it more on Tuesday.

I’m definitely feeling super low today. I feel like I need a quick dopamine hit but I’m not sure what would do the job!

I’m a member of our village social committee and we had a meeting last night which made me feel so flat, it’s the most anti-social social committee ever! I also have 2 events I have to volunteer at at the weekend that o have no interest in what so ever. I am also guilty of being an anti-social member of the social committee!

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