Banishing the winter blues, warming each other up in The Village

[LEMoncehadacatcalledSANTA]

Err, we need a new thread guys - I know this is Vicar's job so i hope you like the name.

This thread is a support group for those with mental health issues and generally feeling crap, some of us are on medication, some of us have help.

So come on in, grab a stool at the pub, the fires warm and the welcome is warmer - stay a while or move right on in!

All welcome

Ha! im not very good at this!

Hey snowy

Thanks DumDum, glad you enjoyed the turkey. The Village seems lovely, it's great to talk to people who are going through the same thing. As you say I'm going to keep on using the CBT techniques - I DON'T have to
harm myself so I won't. Violet, your coach sounds lovely.

Oh, ((( Snowy )))

Thanks ((( all )))

Hugs Snowy, anything particular, sorry if I missed something you said. I am desparately missing my mum who died nearly a year ago and it would be her birthday in few days. Just about surviving Christmas but I feel very ratty with kids,(don't know if I am but I feel it inside).

((( snowy )))

(((sicily))) Hugs for you - it's rubbish sometimes. I've just nearly cried at hearing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" because of the line:

Someday soon we all will be together, if the fates allow.

Well, the fates haven't allowed for us, and it's the first time I've really paid attention to that line.

On the plus side, my diet is going well over Christmas - Slimming World rocks :)

((( sicily ))) nothing in particular, just my lack of progress. It must be a difficult time for you.

congrats on the diet success, Lollipop

((((( hugs all those struggling)))))

I find myself feeling odd & a bit angry tonight need an early night me thinks.

Wishing everyone a good & peaceful night tonight xxx

hey guys, im so glad there is a new thread - i have been AWOL slightly but im glad the village is still open for business.

i have had quite a lot to contend with but i expect i will be here quite a bit again over the coming weeks.

i have major surgery scheduled for next week which will result in me being off work a while. I am also expecting a bit of a roller coaster ride - its life changing surgery so not sure what to expect.

marking a place.....and now i will catch up with the 5 pages ive missed!
love to all.

Hello all

Have had a stuffed Christmas completely broken the diet, so climbing back on the wagon today but suspect I may slip as meeting a friend for lunch. Wish me luck.

Christmas Day was fine, I survived. My brother didn't show. His wife and children came. I dropped them home in the evening and my brother answered the door as if nothing was awry. Weird. He didn't look well.

Visited other relatives yesterday, that was fine but today I am so v low. It's this darned lack of sunlight, it really is a bother.

Surrounded by DD's Christmas presents for which there is a distinct lack of space and finding the day without DP for moral support an ordeal ( back at work today). It's easy to listen to that voice and be super critical of myself but I am trying to ignore it.

I handed in my notice at the end of last week and am not going back to work again. (Possibly not even to collect my 5 years' worth of resources in my cupboard!?) I will get compensation so I have time to find a new job but I keep feeling the fear. Big time. Especially late at night.

The temptation to find something unchallenging and easy job wise is huge. I am lazy. This is what my critical voice. I feel weak.

I do hope everyone else is feeling okay today. Sorry for the monologue!

vicar big hugs & wishing u the best for ur upcoming surgery & a speedy recovery thereafter

((((Hugs to everyone))))
In laws were bearable. Today I have The Fear though, mainly about being signed off work and them now knowing why - career suicide???

Staying in bed pretending I'm by a a roaring fire with all you lovely people

queen I was/ am in the same boat, then I handed in my notice. I am hoping very much this is not career suicide but those words have been on my mind also. Saying that I know several teachers that have gone through similar and found new jobs.

Good luck with the surgery vicar

Awww queen all will be well especially with work. Hopefully they will be more supportive now! Take it a day at a time for now & try not to stress

Just seen my CPN. She's agreed I can halve the dose of citalopram, but didn't think it was causing the side effects I said. She's also suggested I leave the open university things until next year.

I am I know it's a difficult time of year for lots of people, but I had a lovely time so why am I low?

Just blown the diet with the annual Violet Family Cheese Board - we've done it every year as long as I can remember. Big box of crackers, lots of lovely cheeses, and a nice chat :)

Was strange, we were obviously a person missing, but there's no way we weren't going to do it - we all love cheese too much

((hugs to those struggling))

I need to enrol for my Introduction to Early Years Settings course, but I just can't find the courage to hit "Apply". Keep making excuses about needing to check transport home, and the job centre. I can get a taxi, and job centre is fine with evening courses - JUST DO IT WOMAN!

I think it's the idea of walking into a room full of new people, I always hate that. But one of my old uni friends is doing the course, so I won't be totally on my own :)

((Snowy))

((((Snowy))) Thats a shame about the OU stuff, can you do it module at a time? Someone on here posted a link to free university courses online - you don't get any qualifications but its interesting and Ive signed up to do a courses on bio-informatics which is something never really got to grips with when i did my PhD just had to muddle through so going to give that a go - if you are interested in courses in your area let me know and i'll search out the link, there are courses in everything! From quantum physics through to socioloy to fine art! You don't get a qualification but there is also no pressure as its free.

Lollipop - just do it

Vicar I am so glad you found the new thread, I was worried that you woudlnt find it and was thinking about pm'ing you but didn't want to pressure you. I hope Xmas was good and that you are set for the life changing - life improving surgery in a few weeks time - how is that big bear of a dog?

Love to all - just a quick place mark, need to read through xxxx

Thanks Snowy and Lolli , hugs to all of you who are struggling

Thanks LEM Maybe I am doing too much Thanks for the offer, but I really can't concentrate on anything at the moment.

have you enrolled yet, Lollipop ?

Hello, I'm new here.
Have had a really stressful couple of years, and it all suddenly seems to be catching up with me. If I ever stop to think I seem to plummet into inertia or rage or tears. I'd looked forward to christmas and stopping work and recouping some energy but now I am already dreading next year. Don't know what to do.

Welcome MerylStrop

Hi Merylstrop and welcome