To have to do an ‘Emma Thompson’ this Christmas?

[Changes26]

We all know the scene from ‘Love Actually’. AIBU to think I’m not the only one who is doing an Emma Thompson this Christmas? I.e. putting a brave face on whilst everything else crumbles around you?

You can share why you’re Emma Thompsoning your way through the festive period or just give a knowing nod whilst you scream inside.

Me? I’ve split up with my partner as I’ve realised it’s a toxic relationship after an incident last week. I’ve told no one and he’s back home after 4 night away. I am just smiling through it all so our daughter doesn’t have a shit Christmas and more difficult memories to work through in future therapy.

Separation, divorce, grief, bereavement, complicated family, homelessness or financial ruin?

Here’s to getting through the next few days and a brighter 2026!

First Christmas without my nan . She died earlier this year. I was there until the very end , holding her hand . She passed on my birthday so will have to Emma Thompson then too

I lost someone this time last year, I'm spiraling but going away tomorrow and I've had to organise it all as per usual.
Feel unloved, unappreciated and totally taken for granted. Someone else has been paying me attention and I'm trying to resist as I know I have to but it's fucking hard.

And always remember it's always better a week too early than a day too late.....

This⬆️
Hugs to everyone who has contributed to this thread.

God, my problem seems so silly compared to the heartbreaking circumstances on this thread. Sending love to each and every one of you💐

Mine, is that it’s another year single. I would love children and a family of my own one day. But feel at 32, time is running out. I’m the only one in my friendship group who is single and has no kids. I’ll be seeing my parents, siblings and SIL’s, aunts, and my lovely elderly grandparents on Christmas Day. So I’m very very lucky. But somehow, still feel so incredibly isolated, lonely and unloveable.

This thread is exactly what I need.

I am Emma Thompsoning my way through the next week. I started a thread a couple of weeks ago detailing how I discovered the 18 month long affair STBX is partaking in.
Except it's Christmas and I'm keeping my secret until the new year. My DC have come home from different places and I have 2 teens living with me and STBX. I have to bite my tongue numerous times over the next week, in some ways I'm glad stbx is going away with his fancy women friends for the weekend. At least I can enjoy my DC before I confront him.
I've no idea how things will go after I speak to stbx as he owns the house and I have nothing so could end up homeless.
I really don't know this man anymore.

Chin up everyone. X

@CrystalMighty👍it’s all my fault of course and has been since I first drew breath! 😉

Currently watching love actually funnily enough, and just at the scene where Emma tells her husband to be careful with Mia, when I read this.

Newly single, 4 year old at her dad's tonight and will be at her dads Xmas eve with me picking her up at 11am Xmas day.
I do most all of the day to day care when she isn't at nursery, but he works shifts and will only be able to have her overnight 2/3 time a month and I don't want her to miss out on her time with him.
But I'm so bloody gutted I won't have her Xmas eve or when she wakes up, and I miss her like mad already.

I just have to remember I am lucky to have a job and a roof over our heads and a family to go to on Christmas day.

Sending love to all those who are feeling sad this Christmas.

I’m very sorry. Please do resist the attentions though. You definitely won’t feel better & almost certainly a lot worse. 😞

My beloved MIL died last week. Am so upset. The dc want stuff and my phones been cut off. No money for anything.
Just walked and walked today through the tears. Xmas can fuck off.

I need to leave my husband but I have no idea how to do it or justify it to him.

A very sobering thread. Best wishes to all of you struggling.

I am so, so sorry to read this. I really hope you are getting suicide bereavement support. Sending you love this Christmas.

You’re not silly. Your feelings are very valid. I’m sorry you’re having a tough time. In the New Year you can approach this practically, but for now, allow yourself to feel these emotions and don’t feel that you aren’t entitled to. I think Christmas magnifies all our feelings of isolation / loneliness if they exist.

Small Dd has been ill for 18 months, stuck with toxic partner living abroad away from family, the love for my Dd keeps me going 💪

Sending strength to all those in hard circumstances xx

Seriously? Have you actually read some of the posts on this thread? Truly heart-breaking.

And the only thing you can think to say is this? FFS. What a ridiculous comment to make. I hope you're ashamed of it.

Big hugs to all those going facing a tough time this Christmas.

@DudududuMV
You sound amazing.
I am so sorry about your son and an in awe of how you are approaching this tonight for your family.
You are truly an inspiration and I wish you nothing but the very best things going forward in life .

Never saw mine cry during tne 8 years we were together. Until the day he realized I knew he was having an affair for four months and was planning to move in with her. He subbed uncontrollably and suggested marriage guidance and it transpired whilst attending "not actively participating in" marriage guidance, he was still seeing her and using his best friend as his cover story. When he announced he was done with marriage the crying and soft side disappeared and he turned into a cold stranger and I walked on eggshells in our home for months as he refused to.move out. Wanted the house sold immediately and the kids and I to move Into a rental.

Please protect your heart and get someone who can ask the right questions and get answers to talk to him.so that you understand where you stand

My husband and I are suffering two and a half years of infertility. We’ve just had a failed round of IVF. SIL is heavily pregnant and here’s the kicker - she’s due on the same day I would have been had our one and only pregnancy gone the distance last year.

I had a mild stroke 12 weeks ago, everyone keeps telling how well im doing i only took 7 weeks off work. Im hosting christmas and boxing day for alternate sides of the family, I'm doing it all for my kids - I'm exhausted.

My disabled daughter with lots of complex medical needs will be having multiple surgeries next year. She's a nightmare to put under anaesthetic, so much so the last surgery she had the anaesthetist was actually reluctant to go ahead, because he remembered her from a previous operation. I just want to wrap her up safe and keep her with me. Having her put to sleep in my arms, putting her down on the the bed in the anaesthetic room bit outside of the theatre then walking out and leaving her there, over and over again, never gets easier.

I’m so sorry for your loss, sending you love and strength xxxx

Sending everyone love, I’m so sorry that so many of you are having a shitty time and having to put a brave face on it all

💕💕

I’m reading all your posts with tears in my eyes, i am not doing an Emma but for anyone who is struggling I hope you find the strength to carry on . ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I'm so sorry. Wishing you peace for 2026.