Dreading Christmas

[Ilovenotebooks]

My workplace shuts down for 2 weeks over Christmas. I have literally no plans and no money to go anywhere. I'm dreading it. Actual Christmas day should be ok. I'll go to a family member's house for lunch but other than that there is just the dread of nothing to do while everyone else does lovely things. Also hate the dark, cold days and never feel great at that time of year. It'll just be me. I don't have a partner or kids. I'm not religious so church is out.

Treats at home lots of them

Homeless charities ALWAYS want extra volunteers over xmas, and they will be doing their best to make it festive and happy for people who are right at the bottom of society.
You get to serve food to hungry people and cheer them up but the bonus is you become a valued member of a community for a while and the knowledge that you are really helping is very good for your own morale. Plus they will keep you busy for days so no time to brood. I recommend it OP.

I've always heard charities get inundated with volunteers over Christmas

Oh ok that's possible - but you can try? It's a while since I did it. Given how volatile everything is at the mo I think it's possible demand will be higher so they might need more people? Anyway it's a thought.
Whatever you do I hope you're ok, I've had some very lonely shit xmases, it's very hard.

Yes volunteer at a homeless charity. My neighbour has done this in past over Christmas period.l in a pop up hostel.
Do you have friends you can invite round, Watch a movie together?

Try and set a routine for yourself. Can you walk in the countryside ? Read ? Tv Box sets ? Speak to people on the phone . Bath , self care . Listen to music . What do you enjoy ?

Yeah I guess it'll just be things like that. Not really sure what I enjoy these days to be honest.

OP, it could be much, much worse. I'll be spending it with my abusive cunt of an ex husband because my adult children generally avoid him but don't want him to be lonely on Christmas Day so invite him for dinner every year. I am sorely tempted to poison his Christmas pudding.

Personally, I'd rather do anything other than have to spend a single second with him.

Adult children you say? Bollocks to that. Tell them you're not doing it any more.

Then do something similarly relaxed for yourself as the OP needs to do, or something helpful for other people. I'm serious.

Christ just say no @BeauHoe life is way too short for that! Your adult kids can host him at their house Christmas day evening if they want to see him! No is a full sentence - use it!

Sadly, they're no adult enough to have their own houses. They're students, and live with me f/t during the holidays.

I hear you OP. Though I bet you won't be the only person feeling like this in your town or area.

Two things to suggest, from experience....

1. Sign up to the 'Meet Up' website and go along to some events that take your fancy. You'll meet like minded people and perhaps rediscover your mojo.

2. Go to your GP for a talk about your MH. Not knowing what you're interested in anymore can be a sign of depression. Loneliness certainly compounds it.

Please do at least one of these things. Xxx

You can still go to Church. Sing carols, enjoy the atmosphere- you don't have to believe. Join with a group of people, sing together and stay for a drink, or leave straightaway. It won't cost anything.

Get yourself organised with plenty of cheap things to do over the holiday.
Here are a few ideas that might cheer you up...
Get a jigsaw from a charity shop, do a bit of it each day
Check the £1 daily book deals for Kindle, if you've not got a kindle download the free app.
Give yourself a manicure & paint your nails
Learn a few words and phrases in a foreign language each day, free on Duolingo
Get a cheap colouring book & pencils, colouring can be quite absorbing & restful
If you knit or sew, start a project

I agree with pp that you can still go to a church service for a good sing and possibly a cup of tea & a mince pie, even though you're not religious. Look in your local paper for carol concert details. If you are in a city with a cathedral have a look at their website for Christmas events, often free.

You have 11 (ish) weeks to plan something to do each day you are off over Christmas if you want to OP.
At this point it will only be as shit as you make it, it isn't like you won't have time to have made plans!
I honestly feel for you OP but if you choose to sit and mope for two weeks that's on you!

I would definitely look at meet up groups in your area, they will probably have lots of events and activities on. My mum often goes for a walk boxing day with one of her local ones (it's our day with my dad). It's not a dating thing, she's made loads of single friends that she can do fun stuff with.

I do very little over Christmas! For me, it's food/drink treats, walks, books and TV. Nothing ground breaking there, but I'm always tired by then and appreciate doing more homely things.

Any domestic projects outstanding OP? Do you need to decorate a room or sort out your garden? Declutter?

Can you afford a week in the sun? Thats what I'd do in your situation.

Sadly not

Very kind

Thanks all

It's awful op.

I think sometimes we have to tell ourselves there are always people better off and worse off.

All you can do is make the best of it for yourself.

What would you like to achieve from it?
For instance self care? Excersise, moisturizers etc... tone up?

Learn a new craft? Personally I've always fancied the look of the cutting out of cards with sharp knife.

Decorate the house? Concentrate on one part and make it really gorgeous ( our hall way is totally neglected we could do this).

Explore a new area close by that you don't know well?

Can you join the Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles thread here on MN? Pick up a copy of the book or get the audio and join in from the end of this month right through until the Christmas period.

I've never enjoyed Christmas. Your not on your own. Other people are not really having a lovely time, the grass is always greener.