Has 2023 been a particularly bad year for you?

[Ruminate2much]

I can honestly say it's been a really challenging year for me so far, and I've known other people say the same.
Personal stuff, but also the state of the world - the middle-east of course 😔 But also worsening natural disasters. The NHS collapsing, the housing crisis and rising homelessness etc. I try generally try to be a positive person; but really objectively I have found 2023 uncommonly pants...

So sorry

Nothing like the awful times some of you have had, but yes 2023 will not be remembered fondly here. It’s just been one small disaster after another. I struggle to think of the high spots, probably just the things that went wrong, but could have been worse!
The rubbish summer weather didn’t help, and now it’s dark and cold…roll on 2024!

That’s lovely. It’s nice to hear good news.

Most hideous year ever.

Didnt recover from severe vaccine injury of 2022. Then caught Covid and then severe long Covid as my immune system was knackered. Still in bed 5 months later.

Dd16 refused to go to school and self harmed because of it.

Shit year.

It's been pretty good for us, not amazing but quite a lot of upheaval but it's worked out OK.

Sold our old flat.
Moved to a new house in January.
A couple of nice family holidays.
Just normal family life. DCs happy at school/preschool.
Some good financial news.
Had to deal with some minor medical issues on NHS which were all fine.

Not directly affected by political issues. Interest rate issues affected prices for properties sold/bought but they still went ahead.

Mine pales compared to others especially @PurpleChrayne but it’s been rubbish.

DD2 continue to struggle with school/friendships.

I’ve gone very low contact with my parents as I cannot take anymore from them after a disastrous visit to them in the summer. I have tried so hard to keep the extended family together but I can’t do it anymore.

The icing on the cake has been that my business went bust. I have though found a job but this year has just been me putting one foot in front of the other to get through it all.

It's been really, really hard for many of my friends and that has affected me.

Cancer and CSA being the worst.

But my immediate family are all OK so I should count my blessings.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow I'm so sorry. That's so awful. I hope things get better for you and your dd soon x

Yes, even worse than 2022. And loads of people seem to be the same. DH's health dropped off a cliff and I feel really trapped and isolated . Local carers' charity utter crap.

Interesting you think we didn't have a good summer

It seems like a really minor point but one reason I regret leaving the flat I'm strugglimg to sell....summer was hell in there ....now I miss it and could have stayed...and we didn't bloody have a summer IMHO so it would have been fine

. but people keep saying we did have a summer and I didn't notice it due to being ill.

OP - re disassociation, my ex got really alarmed when I said that but, if there's a good kind of disassociation, i'm in that now. So if I focus too much on things, I'd be a right state. So for me, I think it's probably good?

Pp mentioned local carer charity being crap. Is it a corporate thing? We had volunteers take mum to hospital but it's just a local network so no donations. Am very grateful to them.

Yes. It's been shit. It's been a proper learning experience though, and I'm hoping to take those lessons into the new year with me.

Not compared to the COVID years, no.

@PurpleChrayne, I'm so very sorry for your losses.

Worst year of my life.

Luckily I follow the pagan calendar so the horrendous year has finished and a better one has already started.

Onwards and upwards.

@EmmaEmerald yes, for me it's a good kind of dissociation too. The only way in fact. It's like I've tuned into a different frequency - hard to explain, but you know how if you're tuned into a radio station, and all the others exist, but you're just tuned into that frequency. Well I was tuned into one way of living with the world, and now I'm tuned into another. I couldn't cope at all when I was too plugged in

Oops, sorry @stargirl1701 and @EmmaEmerald I accidentally quoted the wrong post above!

Not a great year, but nothing compared to what some people have said on this thread. I hope 2024 is better for everyone.
The year started well but my DP lost his job and it triggered his OCD/anxiety in a way that I've never seen before. I felt like I was supporting myself and him, while trying to be 'on it' at work, keep our home functioning and put on a brave face to our families. In hindsight I should have spoken to someone sooner ( I think I cried every day in March) and I haven't told my parents how tough this year has been. They don't take mental health problems seriously. August onwards has been much better but I'm dreading that something could trigger him again.

Yes, I describe it as my annus horibilis. It's been shit for everyone I know. My DF started the year with sepsis and pancreatitis, my DM passed away from very aggressive cancer. My friends lost their babies, family members, affairs, divorces. Just a lot of bad news all around. Hoping 2024 won't be any worse.

Yes, for me it's been considerably worse than 2022, and in fact 2021 and 2020. The Covid years weren't nearly so bad for me. I say that with caution as I know they were horrific for some people...

I've had a good year too for which i am very grateful. To all of those struggling i am so so sorry for what your going through and i hope and pray everything improves for you soon.
For those who have lost loved ones you have my deepest condolences, please take time and look after yourselves, ask for help and support when and where you can, most of all remember the good times and smile again thinking of them, when you are ready.

@megletthesecond have you thought about deregistering your dd and doing home education. You don't have to follow the education system.

It's weird.
It seems like a 10 year cycle for me...
30 years ago, heartbroken, dead-end job and dental surgery
20 years ago a non sleeping and sick newborn nearly finished me off
10 years ago multiple family bereavements and emergency surgery
This year: elderly mum with multiple issues, my own health is not great, 2 nasty bouts of covid, dhs company went south, dc2 mh issues.
So I'm hoping 2024 will be better...
Wonder what 2033 will bring if I'm still here !?

Ds found a job end of June. It took a few months and was stressful. He is 18 but found full time 40 hrs a week temporary contract and he is now going over to permanent. This is good news as he pays for his food now plus helps towards bills. I get quiet all week at home while is out working. I work from home. So this year has been really good for us.

It feels like it's been years since my family had a good year :

Anyway 2023
We have had DV, social services, attempted suicide. Mental health.

2022 was our year from hell. Lost FIL in tragic accident, then the family dog followed by the cat. Sold Fils house , then chain collapsed and we finished the year with the house flooding. 2023 has just been sorting out the legacy from 2022. We are almost there now so hopefully looking forward to a quieter 2024