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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

For finding this period between Christmas and New Year difficult?

75 replies

pocketfulofsunshinee · 28/12/2023 20:27

I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I’m really finding this period between Christmas and New Year hard. I didn’t think I was a creature of routine but maybe I am as I’m really struggling this week. I have two young children and I should be enjoying spending time with them and my husband but I just feel on edge, irritable, and unsure what to do with myself.

Anyone else?

OP posts:

hurlyburlygirly · 28/12/2023 20:59

It's really discombobulating, isn't it? I'm working a couple of days in the office this week to avoid the limbo feeling. I hate that it's so full on until Christmas and then it just goes really flat.

I think the amount of stimulation and change is overwhelming, and that's for us as adults. A lot of people at work today said they'd come in to have a break from their Christmas breaks so it's not just us!

JM88Jen · 28/12/2023 21:00

I am feeling the same. Probably doesn't help I have come down with tonsillitis today :(

Always feel overwhelmed over making Christmas as perfect as can be and then lost for this part. Trying to make plans for over New year's.

My kids have been arguing today too.
Partner went back to work today and I just wanted to go to bed!

Hope tomorrow is better for you x

youplaystupidgamesyouwinstupidprizes · 28/12/2023 21:02

I hate this time of year. You're not on your own. I can't wait to be back in routine, although I feel bad for not enjoying the time with family.

dothehokeycokey · 28/12/2023 21:04

@JM88Jen

I woke up
This morning also with tonsillitis.

I worked today as this was the only day I booked myself clients.

I feel absolutely meh and am so glad I now have another week off to try and get better.

I've been I'll on and off since the end of oct and am pissed off with it now

CactusPat · 28/12/2023 21:04

Oh god no, I have little ones and am counting down the days until they’re back at nursery. It’s hard work to do Christmas and then carrying on entertaining everyone! Cut yourself some slack. It’s ok not to love every minute.

Mrsgreen100 · 28/12/2023 21:05

Yep same here

Beezknees · 28/12/2023 21:05

Yeah, I don't like it. I've not been in "work mode" at all this week. After new year I'll snap back into it.

Pinkyponker · 28/12/2023 21:07

Same here

Think I've shed tears every night since Christmas day! No particularly reason, Christmas was nice. But just feeling so flat and down now!

Doesn't help that I feel like I have absolutely nothing to look forward to next year I think.

lunaticfringer · 28/12/2023 21:07

Yep. I've alternated anxiety and stress all Christmas. I hate never being alone, I find being cloistered with family incredibly difficult. I do hosting well (I think) but work hard to make it all lovely. I'm exhausted. I don't like being out of routine either.

Canonlythinkofthisone · 28/12/2023 21:08

I've had to wfh today as well only get the bank hols off and nursery is closed.

Jesus christ. I'm KNACKERED 🤣🤣

I want my routine back!! And to be able to go to the shop on my own on the way to collect DC, not WITH her 🤣

The only good thing is the insane amount of cheese in my fridge 🤣

Roll on January 2nd 🤣

Pleatherandlace · 28/12/2023 21:10

It’s the worst week of the year. I always work it.

Original poster

pocketfulofsunshinee · 28/12/2023 21:10

Thank you all for your replies and hope you all feel better soon 💐

It doesn’t help that my house is an absolute tip and every time I attempt to tidy/have a sort out there is a small person there to make it 100 times worse!

OP posts:

Itsbeginningtolookalotlike · 28/12/2023 21:11

I like this bit. I work like mad in the run up to Christmas to make us lovely for all the family. This is the bit for me. Slobbing about until lunch time, lovely long walks, board games with the family, eating whatevers left over (or in the freezer!) To me it's really a time to recharge before we go back in to the fray.

Original poster

pocketfulofsunshinee · 28/12/2023 21:12

It must be an introvert thing as I feel so emotionally drained by constantly being around people. Would be interesting to hear if any extroverts find this time of year difficult too?

OP posts:

Excitingnewusername · 28/12/2023 21:12

Me too. Not achieving anything, but also not relaxing, just bored and restless in a completely unproductive way. My work closes down for this week and it's automatically deducted from annual leave, so if I don't take the time off I'm wasting paid leave, but I have been tempted to get back to work at home just for something to do (I have plenty of domestic stuff I could be doing but utterly unmotivated to do it).

The weather is foul, there's nowhere to go, DH is grumpy and ill and grumpy and a bit more grumpy.

PuffyShirt · 28/12/2023 21:12

Our kids are older (uni/moved out) so
we are loving having them home but also twitching at how messy they are. We’re all eating and drinking too much so I’m sort of looking forward to next week, but I will be sad too.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 28/12/2023 21:14

I’m an introvert but I really like it.

Purplewarrior · 28/12/2023 21:15

ChocolateCinderToffee · 28/12/2023 21:14

I’m an introvert but I really like it.

Me too, on both counts.

LlynTegid · 28/12/2023 21:18

I doubt if you are alone.

I deliberately go into work between Christmas and New Year, not having young children.

Perhaps have a plan in time before next Christmas, say a day out somewhere.

JM88Jen · 28/12/2023 21:20

@dothehokeycokey

Oh bless you!

I have managed to escape bugs and all since school went back after summer until now. I work as a TA with early years children so it's snot and yuck galore this time of year.

Hope you feel much better soon 💖

BlueyDragon · 28/12/2023 21:21

Also bored and restless here, spent the first few days of Christmas holiday recovering from a really intense last few months and being ill. Energy is now coming back but I don’t have anything to use it on that I’m really engaged with. There’s lots to do, I just can’t be arsed. Feels like I’m marking time until kids are back at school. But then I get like this in holidays anyway, I need stuff to do and structure and purpose.

I’m allegedly an extrovert btw.

Mills86 · 28/12/2023 21:21

Yes, it’s such a crap week. The unrelenting awful weather is making it quite melancholic this year too. I feel for parents of older kids who want to take them to the park to let off some steam but it’s constantly pissing down.

Never thought I’d say this but roll on January! Roll on March in fact.. Bah humbug!

Newchapterbeckons · 28/12/2023 21:26

I am am extrovert and not finding it easy!
The gales and rain make a walk impossible. TV is ghastly. I am gamed out, way too much family time. Considering days out but where at this time of year?! Looking forward to work tomorrow for a change of scene. Everyone has been so ill, this hasn’t helped!!! No patience left….or empathy or energy for that matter! 😂

Snowonthebeachx · 28/12/2023 21:27

It's having small children.
I used to love it when I could spend it on the sofa reading! Post DC it's grim. With the caveat that I had a lovely Christmas and genuinely enjoy being a mother. However this week I'm sick to death of freezing wet parks and mess and DH being off work and underfoot.

I can't wait to be back in routine with childcare and work!

Original poster

pocketfulofsunshinee · 28/12/2023 21:29

Snowonthebeachx · 28/12/2023 21:27

I can't wait to be back in routine with childcare and work!

Edited

I was thinking this earlier. When I was younger and had no responsibilities I loved this time…

OP posts:

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