how are you making yourselves feel better?

[theotherfossilsister]

I've posted about depression/bereavement before. Basically this year has chucked the whole lot at me, but I know it's done the same to others too.

For some reason the news about the mutation has really knocked me.

So what are you guys doing to feel better? DP took me on a walk this morning which was lovely (I am an agoraphobic mess so I struggle to go alone.) I am also planning a very early morning run tomorrow with the head torch, as I am not as agrophobic at 6am which sounds weird.

What is everyone else doing to survive/feel OK? I've had so much loss this year that sometimes I feel like I can't survive it, but I know I have to. I just want things to be less shit.

It would be great if this became a general thread to help others in this horrible rainy covid winter.

@Chimeraforce, sorry, I didn’t see your message. Please get some counselling or other help, it can make such a difference to how you feel. Your life is so precious 💐

I had PND last year and still havent recovered properly. I hate leaving the house, so I dont unless its absolutely necessary. Maybe I'm wrong to do that and should push myself to go out more.

Coffee makes me feel better, I drink lots of it and my 7 year old now also makes it for me which is like a treat. He even knows to switch to decaf in the evenings .

On the nights when dp is working away from home, I go to bed as soon as the kids are in bed and have early nights.

I've ordered myself a few beauty bits and theyl arrive before Christmas so on January 1st I'll be ready to start using them and wont have any excuses. I really let myself go this year.

I joined Instagram - I don’t have any followers and I am happy with that. I like to watch little videos of people cooking or make up demos. They are short so help my gnat’s attention span but they are long enough to take the edge of a brewing anxiety attack.

@Chimeraforce

Nothing works. I walk to try and stop myself chucking myself in front of a train. My plan has always been to hang on till child is 18. Only 4 more years to go.

As pp has said please let someone into your life to help. Your baby maybe 14 but they’ll still need you at 40. Xx

My survival skills centre around getting outdoors: walking the dog, swimming in the sea (last time was November in Scotland, waiting for a wetsuit to be delivered), sitting by my new fire pit in the garden.
I’ll be adding long candlelit baths and reading to the list as they’ve helped in the past.

Another bath prune here ✋ I used to love swimming as well, I'm sure I was a fish in a former life - knowing my luck I'll have been a prawn

I can't take reading much atm, but sticking my headphones on whilst crafting (cross stitch and those little mini doll house kits) or to help lessen the boredom of DIY like sanding/painting.

I like listening to clips from silly tv shows like Would I Lie To You?, unsolved mysteries, Agatha Christie audiobooks, local history podcasts, ghost hunt YouTube videos (it's mostly audio anyway as they're always in the pitch black ) and ghost stories, preferably Victorian (Mansized In Marble by Edith Nesbit is my current favourite).

We live by the sea too (NE England) and it's definitely one if my favourite places to go too, it's always a changing scene yet reassuringly familiar.

I agree with PPs Chimeraforce, please try to talk to someone in RL, you matter, no matter what age your DC is

@theotherfossilsister I used to be a Librarian too! never read a David Mitchell I have to admit. currently reading the midnight library by Matt haig, and before that summer water by Sarah moss:, I have discovered authors like Elisabeth Gifford, Jane harper, j p delany. .got a big pile of library books to get through. ,The reservations are free at the moment so I am making full use of it! love to go back to library work.

Feel good films and singing make me feel better.

@thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter. Thanks I just ordered man sized in marble. .I loved her books as a kid but never realised she wrote ghost/horror!

@Chimeraforce

Nothing works. I walk to try and stop myself chucking myself in front of a train. My plan has always been to hang on till child is 18. Only 4 more years to go.

I get it

I'm in Scotland. It's lovely but only if you like swimming . I was fairly acrophobia in the first lockdown but I started swimming with a friend in August. The cold provides a complete reset and it get easier each time you do r. Not for everyone but works for me

Chimera - talk to us or please see your GP

Running. If i don’t run I go on a walk. Loads of mountains to choose from. The Only thing that stops me is very strong wind(like a storm) and i don't go in the snow alone.

And I've accumulated a lot of free books over lockdown so i love going to bed and reading a few chapters

@Chimeraforce that's terrible for you, I'm so sorry. I hope something works, I too have had suicide ideation and it's bloody horrible. Please get help for yourself as well as your child.

Some lovely ideas and thoughts on here. Thank you all. I am struggling so much right now and sort of dragging myself through each day.

Might try a cold swim tomorrow, although I live two miles from the sea and have no car so that would be a chilly walk home (Brrrr)

Just reviving this to say I was having horrible few days at the beginning of this week and am feeling a bit better today - so that reminds me that there will be ups as well as downs. On down days I eat more chocolate, watch lightweight tv shows, argue with my partner (!) and try to get extra sleep. Also forgive myself for being behind with work and enjoy hugging the kids.