Help me snap out of this irrational bad mood

[Blueisblue2]

Had weeks of DH then dc being ill, one after the other, accompanied by their moaning and whining. I've spent the whole time cheering them up, looking after them etc. Also been extremely busy at work. Now they are all better and I feel utterly depressed and can't seen to snap out of itIt's totally irrational and I need to snap out of it. How do others cheer themselves up. I'm normally a really happy positive person.

Do you have any time to yourself, or can you carve some out now everybody is better?

What’s something that you enjoy doing? I know if I’m in an irrational bad mood, planning some time for myself (think bath, glass of wine, good book, box set, maybe making something, spending some time playing an instrument etc) can do the trick. Especially if I get it all planned out and can look forward to it! If you’re able, planning an evening out with friends might be another idea? It sounds like you need to take some time looking after yourself after weeks of taking care of everybody else!

Doesn't sound irrational to me. You've been toiling after everyone else for weeks, you're running on empty, nobody is tucking you up in bed with a cool drink and making the dinner. It's bloody exhausting. When do you get a break? Can you take a half day annual and sneak back home for Netflix in bed?

You have my sympathies OP. I'm in the same boat. Feeling very down and grumpy just now and it's so hard to snap out of it. My poor DC are getting the brunt of it and they're only little.

Can you arrange something to look forward to, or even text or call an old friend to catch up and take you to a different headspace?

Great ideas. I can get time off work but not until next Friday. I really need to cheer up today or the weekend will be ruined. I'm trying but not succeeding.

Tell your DP now, that you need a little recuperation time. Tonight when you are all home, head for a bath with a cuppa or glass of something stronger. A good book or a trashy magazine. Dinner will either be takeaway, or bung in the oven job. You need an hour where you're not dealing with any of it. Lock that bathroom door and soak away that mood. Remember this too shall pass...

You need time for you. When I'm like that, even an hour to myself can make such a difference!
Get yourself a little treat, magazine, chocolate, flowers to brighten the gloom? Make sure you get an hour this evening of peace, absolutely no interuptions unless the house is on fire! Just shut yourself in bedroom and if DC are still up tell them all requests are strictly to go to DH. You'll be amazed what a difference just an hour of being left alone can do for your mood. Get DH to do something v easy for dinner, minimal effort, time and clearing up so it's all done and dusted quickly, children are fed, no moaning of when is dinner going to be ready, I'm hungry etc. Beans on toast, egg and chips, who cares!
You just need to be selfish for once, something mum's are not v good at!

Create some you time, you've been nurse and carer for the last however long, and now it's time for you to relax and put yourself first. ♥