A thread for those who are struggling this Christmas.

[LaLaLaLaLaLaLaLaLaa]

Morning all,

I know Christmas isn’t a joyful time for all of us, I am struggling due to a recent bereavement and the loss of a sibling ten years ago so just trying to put a brave face on for the kids.

If you are struggling for any reason, this is the place for you.

Raising a glass for our missing loved ones this Christmas

My 21 year old daughter died suddenly 6 weeks ago from a brain aneurysm. Our hearts are shattered.

I'm so sorry to hear this x

I wanted to come back and check in on you all before tomorrow.

Some of the posts this evening are beyond heartbreaking and I have no words that could even begin to ease your pain, but I am thinking of you tonight and will be thinking of you tomorrow. I’m sure your stories will continue to cross my mind over the coming years and I will remember you and the loved ones you have lost.

I am so very sorry, and hope the waves of grief begin to ease slightly for you in 2025 x

Sending love to you all struggling with loss and difficult situations at this time of year

Thank you OP for starting this thread. I’m also struggling with Christmas. I’m mid 30s, single and childless. Feel my life isn’t exactly where I want it to be and struggling to see my friends and siblings starting their own families. Spending Christmas with my parents who are very critical of me and difficult to be around. I know I’m lucky in so many ways, but feeling a bit lonely.

Hope everyone holds up tomorrow and that next year brings brighter times for us all.

My dad died on boxing day a few years ago, heart attack, we werent close and i was working abroad....i passed a cheap international call centre place and just felt like ringing him, something i wouldnt ever do....an ambulance chap answered the phone and gave me the news.....

To make matters worse another relative has been in hospital in a different county from home the last couple of days. We're hoping they will be home for Christmas day, but it is an extra worry.

Dad has been doing really well but seemed fragile today. It was heart breaking seeing him trying to prepare a normal Christmas.

It's going to be tough.

Glad this space exists. I found out my partner had been speaking to other women and its baby’s first Christmas. I’ve realised that I’m just feeling awful about the whole situation and want to spend Christmas alone with the kids.

It’s tough when you can’t quite get yourself into festive mode. But everyone else is so joyful.

I am struggling this Christmas due to new challenging family dynamics and issues, here's to everyone else who's just hoping to get through tomorrow.

Can I join your club? Horribly dysfunctional family with whom I'm majority nc, lovely dad with dementia who now thinks I'm devil incarnate due to said brain disease and delusional thinking, no partner/ kids and officially over the hill so will never happen, bipolar and they can't get the meds right so perpetually depressed and anxious.... I raise a glass to us all. Merry fucking Christmas!

I hope you all experience some comfort today. Hopefully next year each and every one of us will be in a better place.

Exactly the same here. he’s only 24 but his behaviour is terrifying whenever he drinks.

His mum died on Christmas Eve a few years ago too, so it’s particularly difficult to turn our backs on him at Christmas, despite his behaviour

Hope everyone has gotten through ok x

I hope you've all managed to get through Christmas. It was actually not as bad as I imagined.

My first Christmas in 55 years without my mum however I should tears while preparing the veg on Christmas morning and then decided I was just gonna enjoy it and I have. My mum was absolutely all in for Christmas loved the games and the chilling and the food and I've embraced that.

I've been a little bit disappointed with my adult children, but I will adjust my expectations next year and fuck off abroad and send them a photo of myself on the beach with a cocktail to wish them Merry Christmas 🤣🥂🎄