Anyone else trying but not feeling it this year?

[MsMiaWallace]

I'm really trying but so far not feeling it.
Had loads of crap luck this month & feel down.

I was really excited but one of my grandparents passed away last week and it's so hard to be enthusiastic when all I can think of is him laying in the morgue until new year.

Me too I just can't be arsed. I have bought most presents but still no decorations up. My son has had two hospital admissions in the last few weeks so that hasn't helped. We have also all caught the most awful cough cold and sore throat. Constantly feel like my head is going to explode.

I'm a huge Christmas person but this year is the first where I couldn't give a shit and want it all to be over and 2023 to start..

Started the year with Covid, then DH got it. His turned into long Covid.
MIL was diagnosed with Cancer, We lost her in October.
Then my DH had a stroke 4 weeks ago...

I'm also stressed about money, heating bills etc etc..
I've got a baby grandson so I need to make more effort but I'm just not feeling it.
I had so many plans for this Christmas with markets and illuminated trails and none of it can happen now with DH so ill still

Here's a lovely Christmas Advert to get you in the mood...

This is the first year I haven't put up all my Xmas decorations. I have a little tree with about 6 decorations on and some fairy lights in my bedroom. Really just can't be bothered. Buying a small token gift to give people was a strain financially and generally stressful.

I am so sorry to hear what others have been through.

I've not enjoyed Christmas for years. I don't even know why, but it was such a relief in 2020 when it had to happen to differently, and me and DP could just spend the day at home, watching movies and eating nice things.

Same here, the house does look nice and Christmassy, I have very little left to do but feeling no joy sat here looking around.

I think the toll of the last few years, I lost both my mum and dad, pandemic, health issues, the state of the country and non stop miserable headlines has caught up, it just has to surely 🤷🏻‍♀️

just going to go with the flow and not have high expectations of this particular Christmas.

I'm not really a christmas person. In the past that's been because of obligations and not feeling able to spend the day doing what I want. This year is different (the obligation was my mum and she is now in a care home) so I can do what I want on the day but it's been such a crap year one way and another (redundancy, ongoing illness, mum breaking her hip and her dementia worsening) that I just don't really feel anything about it, apart from relief at not having to drive anywhere.

I am not feeling at all Christmassy this year. DH's company is probably closing in January and I have been chasing prescription & antibiotics all week for my son who has Scarlet fever. We all feel run down. Roll on spring.

Yes, not even got the tree up yet. It's so hard to be happy right now, not for lack of trying

Bless you all.

Im divorcing but stuck with a furious STBXH in the family home. Luckily grown up child who is tactfully spending Xmas ‘at home’ with her fiancé.

I am NOT doing Christmas at all. I am usually Mummy Christmas (as in my husband does fuck all). No Xmas tree, no decorations, just cards to my friends and family, a couple of presents. I’ve bought a bit of food to cook for myself on the day.

It is so lovely!! It will probably be the only Xmas I do like this, but the relief I feel is worth it.

I'm so sorry for all of you who have had an awful year, or traumatic incidents in the past. I can completely empathise with why you're not feeling festive .

I haven't experienced anything close to that which some of you have, yet I'm just not feeling it this year. I'm normally very organised and look forward to Christmas but this year I just feel tired! I haven't written any cards (& with the postal strike I'm debating if it's even worth it). DS is in Y6 (although developmentally more like a Y4), he's realising that all the fun Christmas stuff from primary school is nearly finished and is struggling.

I'm worried about the state of the UK, the NHS, the economy etc and my general anxiety (& health anxiety) doesn't help.

I know that we are much more fortunate than many (& for that I am so grateful) but I just can't shake that feeling of tiredness, lethargy and general flatness.

As a family we agreed no presents for anyone over 18 this year to take into account everyone's financial situation.

So, I had three presents to buy (one baby, one 17yo) and my partner.

Usually, I'm considered to be a 'fantastic' giver of gifts, choosing things recipients want but never knew they wanted or just the 'perfect' item in a category they wanted!

This year, though, the baby's parents have been given money to spend on him after Christmas as a sweep-up of anything they may not have received for him that they needed/wanted.

The 17yo will receive a (generous) voucher related to her passion.

My partner has received one gym-related item he specifically requested, and will receive bits'n'bobs similar to what he's received in previous years.

Zero inspiration, zero effort, zero interest.

Like others, no decorations/tree out and no cards written.

The only thing I've written is Christmas off this year. 😐

Roll on 2023.

i havent done xmass in years i never liked it its just another day to me my grown up children are the same we just never felt it .

Sympathies to everyone syruggling with this Christmas.

While I'd really like to have my ideal Christmas day (whole clan at parents) which hasn't happened for last 3 years (covid) I'm mainly wishing I could just hibernate til the end of Jan. I've been ill for a month, money is tight, dcs both have major issues at school and my brain feels like it might explode.

I think it's post covid blues. We have had such a hard few years. So much hope things would return to normal. Now things are back to normal there is a big expectation to live life to the full but in my case my world has shrunk snd not recovered. I don't it ever will. Not through my choices but lifestyle choices of those I'm close too. I'd love to make a new circle of friends and start again but it seems impossible as no one wants to socialise any more

I feel too busy to get into it. Decs are up, house smells of cinnamon and vanilla, I'm wearing winter clothes but I feel a bit numb about it. Maybe because the last 2 christmases were ruined by covid.
Trying not to put too much pressure on this year though, it's just one day

I'm sorry for your loss 💐@ReluctantLondoners

I usually love Christmas and the build up, this year just doesn’t feel the same. When we put the tree up all I could think about was how much of a pain it is putting everything away. Last year was much easier money wise too, I had a big M&S Christmas food order in and I was looking forward to all the treats and drinks, this year I’m struggling to afford the normal food shop at Iceland I can’t see how we’ve got into this situation we earn good money.

Not feeling it at all. I lost my grandad very suddenly at the end of September. We were so close and I’m missing him so much it hurts. First Christmas without him and then what would have been his birthday 2 days after. Two big firsts since he died so close together. I’m trying to keep it together and make sure it’s a nice Christmas for the kids but I just feel I’m going through the motions. I’m so tired.

I’m sorry for everyone feeling so crap at the moment ♥️

Same here, usually I'm all done with presents etc, I just can't get into the festive spirit at all. The wreath hasn't even gone in the door this year and gifts still need to be brought.

My kids keep telling me how excited they are and how they love Christmas. I just want to scream “I hate it!”. I feel depressed beyond what I usually do and completely can’t be arsed with the whole thing. My Christmas cheer is burnt out from all the other years and I feel like I don’t want to do it anymore. Does it have to be EVERY year?! 🙄

I’ve actually had a really good year this year, and I was so looking forward to Christmas.

But I had a rotten cold a couple of weeks ago which meant I had to cancel some plans I was really looking forward to. I had more festive things planned today and this weekend, and I’ve now come down with the flu. Have barely moved for the last couple of days, feeling absolutely horrendous and just hope I can get rid of it in time for Christmas.

A very minor problem in the grand scheme of things, but I love the run-up to Christmas more than the day itself, so I’m gutted that most of my lovely plans have been ruined due to what has felt like constant illness.

@Rolandoratto same! Every other year is more than enough!

Really struggling this Christmas. Every evening there's no water supply where we are. Icy roads make it virtually impossible to drive anywhere. Struggling with the rise in costs. Trying not to put on the heating at all during the day to keep costs down.

Kids are fit and healthy, that's the main thing I tell myself.

But why am I so depressed?