Take a moment to consider the lonely people this Christmas...

[maskingtape]

Please take a moment to consider the lonely people this Christmas. While some people are running around visiting, buying presents, taking kids here there and everywhere please take a moment to consider the person who isn't doing any of that. The person who has no one to visit. The person who has no partner or kids. The person who isn't at all busy and is just downright lonely. Just take a moment to send them a text if nothing else. Merry Christmas all.

I agree - lovely as Christmas can be I think it’s also an horrific time for many people.

What if the person that you know is lonely has pushed you away. What if, it’s always you initiating text messages and they always end it by simply stopping responding! What if you sent them a heartfelt Christmas card which they haven’t acknowledged. What if they cancel plans to meet all the time.

I feel rejected and emotionally destroyed!

Do I text that person or do I stop now and let them be? I’ve been pondering this all afternoon.

I suppose it depends on the reason. For example people with anxiety can cancel plans regularly as they can't cope. Doesn't mean they don't need you.

I have no idea. He stays between telling me that I’m the love of his life and completely blanking me. Definitely has mental health issues and I suspect he has Narcissistic PD Nevertheless, I love him and he’s alone

Difficult one. People with mental health difficulties often push people away.

I’ve sent a card! I want to text him but it doesn’t feel like the right thing to do for either of us, and surely, if he wanted me, he’d reach out? He would’ve reached out after the lovely card?

I wonder whether some people prefer to be alone and without communication over the Christmas period?

That's a lovely sentiment OP.

I'm alone through my own choice (can't afford flights back to the uk) but really appreciate messages and virtual hugs from friends.

Thank you, OP. I don't know if you are one of us but it's a horrid time of the year. I pretend I don't care but I do. By choice I don't have a partner or kids and my friends have families of their own. I don't think a lot of people can even understand what it feels like.

Some people are conflicted too and want company while also wanting to be alone. I'd send a quick merry Christmas text but I understand where you're coming from.

I agree Mylife. It's hard to understand unless you've been there.

It is. I know everyone has a different definition of lonely too. For some being married with no kids and a small group of friends is lonely. For others it may having a large close knit family but no friends. They all still have someone though.

#joinin on Twitter for anyone who wants people to chat to over Christmas no need to be completely alone. But just a txt to know there's someone there (evening you are hiding)

I'm on my own and conflicted.

I've had major bereavement this year (close friend I usually spend Christmas with ended her life) as well as some other friends dying and today is a major bereavement anniversary and I found out my condition could be becoming terminal.

My mental health care stopped on Friday and I've been told to phone mind helpline each week instead of bothering mental health team as due to my medical needs I cannot tolerate their meds and they've no time for someone like me who cannot have the benefit of meds to stabilise them enough for therapy, and there are issues with the therapy they want me to do anyway.

I saw a GP today who told me to go back to the bereavement counsellor and lie about my mental health support stopping and how bad I've been feeling and phone Samaritans - which I pointed out to them anyone can obviously see as they'd been contacted by a pharmacist who was worried about me out of duty of care and I must be seen today there's no point in lying about my distress.

I've had offers for Christmas Day. I simply cannot cope. I've endured almost every person I met today telling me how lucky I am to be on my own and how much they wish they were me. I've had people who offered who I turned down tell me it's my choice and to cheer up - yes they know of my circumstances.

I'm putting this here in case people have people in their lives who are like me.