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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Singinghollybob · 28/12/2023 21:29

No, not at all. I've still been working and have been very busy in work. I'd love to be off for the period of Xmas and NY. I do love the quieter roads during this time when it seems everyone else is off.

Bunnycat101 · 28/12/2023 21:32

I was saying this morning that the children need their routine back. We’ve all been ill, eaten too much junk and are just getting on top of each other a bit. Crappy weather doesn’t help either. I really enjoy time off with my children in the summer but it’s not quite the same in winter as they seem to just trash the house and argue more.

LyndaSnellsSniff · 28/12/2023 21:36

I'm enjoying it but feel a bit restless and out of sorts. We haven't visited anyone or had any visitors and have no plans for New Year. I feel like I'm letting DCs down and that we should be out seeing people but I just cannot be faffed.

Orangelover · 28/12/2023 21:39

I'm hating it, and I've realised I always do hate this time of year actually. I don't mind Christmas Day itself (if I get it off work) but the rest of it it's just rubbish and I can't wait to resume to normal business. I'd probably feel different if I had a nice Christmas break but working in healthcare winter pressures mean for our busiest time of year generally, and when supporting services close over BHs it makes the rest of the job so tough.

Mimilamore · 28/12/2023 21:41

I'm an introvert and love this bit so much more than actual Christmas, that is far too peopley, small talky and invasive. I love just having myself to please and doing what I want , when I want...time to sit and stare, go for a long walk, have another coffee, watch what I want to watch... bliss.

Boomboom22 · 28/12/2023 21:41

I've booked a nice spa day for early Jan so as not to succumb to the slump. Will be super busy next week and then late Jan to Feb too so best timing.
This week I've been sleeping in super late and ignoring the passive aggressive comments from dh about being woken by the kids.
Not quite succeeded in my aim of being in my dressing gown all day yet, hopefully one day before Monday.

ForTonightGodisaDJ · 28/12/2023 21:53

In the nicest possible way..you're all nuts! 😂why the literal hell would you want to go back to work?

fromhellsheartistabatthee · 28/12/2023 21:54

The return to normality on 2 January is the best bit by far.

TheSoapyFrog · 28/12/2023 21:57

I totally feel the same. I was having a cry about it earlier! Christmas seems to have sprung up in September and so much hype and build up, and now it's over. I don't know what day it is, I need to go shopping, I'm tired, fed up, bored, and ready for normal life and a routine. The decorations are coming down tomorrow because I'm sick of the sight of them.

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 28/12/2023 22:01

Thought today l finally had a free day so took myself off for lunch with a friend who is struggling at this time if year and dropped daughter off to grandma for an afternoon of bonding.
Then my stepson called to say he and his gf were on their way up for dinner. Lovely but thought l was done hosting!
Fuckity fuck had to cobble together a very random meal.
No idea what day it is and am looking forward to getting back into a routine.

mrsbyers · 28/12/2023 22:02

It’s our anniversary today so for the last 11 years we’ve always done something this week to celebrate and usually a short trip away - unfortunately we have both come down with some sort of lurgy so instead of charcuterie and champagne tonight we’ve just barely touched a very average Chinese takeaway and sleeping for England

JMSA · 28/12/2023 22:02

Yeah, I'm the same! I love Christmas but struggle with the post-Christmas lull. I've been in my Oodie all day and feel a bit disgusting! I'm an indoorsy person generally, so the weather doesn't bother me hugely. However the lack of light today has got me down a bit and it is PISSING down (Scotland). I am eating junk and think it may be Thursday, but I'm not 100% sure on that.
I never thought I'd say this, but I basically need my job to keep me anchored to this world! ShockGrin

ssd · 28/12/2023 22:05

Another one in Scotland and this weather is unbelievably awful

djivdfj · 28/12/2023 22:06

Yes same. Two major bereavements around this time of year in not too distant past and this is the time they creep up on me

djivdfj · 28/12/2023 22:07

Along with way too much carbohydrate although more like me creeping up on it

lastchristmas80 · 28/12/2023 22:13

Introvert here! Absolutely exhausted by the seasonal socialising/being round my husband and DC 24/7. Roll on back to school/work!

Zaza87 · 28/12/2023 22:14

It's horrendous on the Isle of Man as well, sounds like a hurricane out there right now. There was awful flooding yesterday and apparently there's another hoolie on the way once this one clears.

DramaAlpaca · 28/12/2023 22:14

I always find this time of year difficult and this year is no exception.

werty8765 · 28/12/2023 22:24

Young DC here and I hate it!!

The weather is awful so we can't just spend the day outside. Too young to happily watch movies all day or go bowling etc. Just a long week. I can't wait to go back to work for a break 😬

(I do love DC but find it so hard to be on it all day - DC has also just dropped nap too!)

werty8765 · 28/12/2023 22:25

To add before DC I liked reading a book all day and pottering but now no chance of that!!

strugglingwithlife · 28/12/2023 22:27

Yes, I always get very depressed after Christmas and in January, every year without fail, no idea why

alltoomuchrightnow · 28/12/2023 22:32

Get a job where you have to work it, then. Apart from a few times I've been out of work, I've never not worked it, since my teens and I'm now 52 and still doing it. Not an issue as I like my time off in mainly spring, and a bit in summer and autumn

cantbecaught · 28/12/2023 22:34

Can spending time with your own children really be that depressing? What a depressing thread if so.

alltoomuchrightnow · 28/12/2023 22:34

(My point being, it's such a dreary, depressing and foul weathered time of year, I welcome the distraction of working... and save my annual leave until Spring.. not that I'm allowed to take this time off anyway..)

sprigatito · 28/12/2023 22:37

I'm struggling a bit too this year, it just feels like days on end of catering and cleaning up and trying to entertain people. DC1 was meant to be here for another week but has gone back to uni early with an essay crisis. DC2 has been working or out with friends. So it's just DH and I entertaining elderly relatives until 30th December. They are lovely and very appreciative, but someone once said to me that guests are like fish; they go off after three days. I'm really looking forward to my time being my own again, and just having soup for dinner and pleasing myself!