Unhappy families. How do you look after yourself and stop yourself drowning?

[chocolaterevs]

Our family is not a happy one.

Always confronted with it more during school holidays when we're out of routine and actually have to spend time with each other.

Anyone else in the same situation? What do you do to keep yourself mentally well and healthy as I feel lost, depressed and hopeless.

Kids have entirely different personalities, don't like each other and don't like doing the same things. Marriage is over, we just can't afford to live separately. There isn't a solution to this, so how do I look after myself in the meantime?

Dreading the summer holidays and think best to cancel the trip away.

What do I do? Focus on myself? Healthy routines? What the hell do I do?

Sorry you're unhappy. How old are the children? A lot of married couples I know are in this situation and tend to live separate lives socially but with young children it's harder.

They are 12 and 9.

So not too young, but finding them even trickier than when young. I can't do a single day out or trip that suits them both. Life was much easier when they were young.

People you know are socialising separately? That makes sense. I don't even have much energy or enthusiasm for seeing friends, given my home life. I've isolated myself. I wish I hadn't as it would probably help to have a life away from the home.

I think I need cheap strategies for getting by outside of work. Things to do to keep myself sane.

I would start by trying to re-establish friendships and have a social life outside the home.