Remove myself from WhatsApp group?

[H0TSUB]

I am having the worst year of my life. My Ds has been in hospital for two months among other things. I am generally a happy and fun person but I have been very sad due to a number of sad events in my family. I am part of a WhatsApp group of old friends who don't live close by where we chat every day but I'm finding it hard to contribute at all and I'm also finding all their happy Christmas photos difficult , I love that they're doing nice things but it's hard for me to see and I cry every day anyway. Shall I politely remove myself/ follow along and not post/ archive. Can't really archive because that would be rude.
I am not the only one of us having struggles, another is going through a divorce.
I don't want them not to share all their things because of me and they are good friends, how do I manage this?

Hi op, so sorry to hear about your ds and that things are difficult for you. It can be really hard this time of year with all the Christmas cheer lots of others are going through when you're not at that place, believe me I get it this year and last year as is the same for us due to life. I'd archive the chat instead and it means you can still check it or join back in hopefully in the future if/when things are better. I hope you are getting support.

Just seen your update, I'd just post hi everyone, I'm going to take a breather for a little while whilst life feels a bit difficult but will be in touch in the new year and hope you all have a lovely Xmas. Then archive.

Say something like this then archive until you feel ready, job done.

Sorry to hear things are tough right now OP.

I’d be leaving a polite/generic message, mute and archive like others have suggested.

I had to do this over the summer when my DD was in hospital and my antenatal group were sending in all their summer pictures while we were at the sick kids hospital. Not seeing the notifications and the group definitely helped. I eventually went back to the group and all was okay.

I still haven't been able to do it because it all feels a bit 'look at me' . I just don't want to engage or see any of it but I can't not engage without it being a thing. Why is everything so difficult?