Feeling a bit lost & down

[BB8sm8]

I don’t know where else to post this...I have spent this year fighting off a constant low mood & I'm looking ahead to 2020 & can see nothing changing & I don’t know what to do...I have a 9 and 6 year old, I had a very good professional job but had to leave it when youngest was born due to childcare issues. My husband works long hours, he’s often up before we wake up & back when the children are asleep. I don’t have family locally & no close friends & often find my days stretching out between 9-3 like I’m just waiting to pick the children up. I volunteer twice a week, I exercise, I read, I walk my dog, but I do feel so down & pointless at times. Often once I have dropped the kids off I just want to go back to bed & hide. I’m normally hopeful this time of year but this time all I can see is just more of the same.

Hiya lovely! Sounds like you're having a little bit of a bad time right now, I'm really sorry . I can't actually relate because I have six under fives but I think I can help with the feeling pointless.

Perhaps you could take up a new hobby or join a club? You mentioned you exercise, perhaps you could join a spin class or an adult gymnastics class or a running group? You could join a reading group or set one up through this and find books to read? Maybe you could start a new series, I could recommend a good few on Netflix depending on what genre you like best?

You could try branching out from things you're used to and try and widen your horizons. Maybe go to a spa when the DCs are at school and just have some time to relax without any responsibilities. Maybe try and get DH to book a weekend off work and you two and the kids just spend a weekend together, maybe go to a walking trail with the dog and take the kids' bikes if they have them? Maybe family bonding time will help make you feel a bit better? Try and arrange for a date night once a month with DH or try and book a weekend away just to spend some time with you two? Maybe try and book a holiday with the kids during the holidays if that's within your price range and is good for all parties.

Maybe try and arrange a family game night once a week or fortnightly or monthly, I'm sure one late night for the kids won't affect them too much if it means they get to spend some quality time with you and DH. Even just playing silly games with them like snap or go fish or twister or guess who can really improve your week and it'll definitely brighten everyone's spirits.

There are so many things for you to do and I'm certain you'll find something that keeps you busy soon enough. But for now, merry christmas and I hope it all works out for you! You're definitely not pointless or useless or anything else and I'm sure your DH and your DC's don't think that either! Maybe try and talk to DH about your feelings and see if you two can come up with something?

All the best lovely xx