I really want a surrogate family

[LostPlatypus]

I'm putting this in mental health, because it's about feelings, not about actually asking for things if that makes sense.

I'm in my early 30s, single, no kids, and have very limited contact with my family because they were (and to some extent still are) a big cause of my mental health issues. I'm going to be on my own on Christmas Day (well, just me and the cat), and while I should be used to this by now (managed to get out of doing family stuff for the last few years, simply by my social anxiety being too bad to travel the 100+ miles to visit my parents), it's still very lonely and doesn't really get any easier.

This isn't meant to be a begging thread, more of a since I'm not in a place to be in a relationship and have kids at the moment, there is a huge part of me that would love a surrogate family to spend some time with, and love and feel loved by. Does that make sense? It's a feeling I get every so often, and it's always made worse by all the damn Christmas adverts and stuff on TV and just this time of year in general. I just wish I knew how to deal with that feeling, because being able to watch the Doctor Who Christmas Special actually on Christmas Day for once (my parents hate it) does not trump the feeling of wanting to be around people I love.

Just to echo a pp, being environment friendly is an effort too far sometimes. Please just fill a bin bag and then take it out to the bin.

I'd also go to church. Sit at the back if you like. It's lovely to be around faith even if you don't share it (I don't).

Okay, there is now a bag of recycling on my doorstep :)

Hope you feel better soon fakename - all these winter bugs are awful.

Ah, Lost, I'm too far away. Happy to be an email buddy though if that helps.

Do you volunteer? There are loads of charities which would be glad of an extra pair of hands over Christmas, or any other time for that matter. Volunteering is a great way of making friends, and doing a bit of good in the world at the same time.
For example, old people's homes would love someone to pop in and play dominoes with the old folks every so often. You could take your cat in?? You'd find lots of people who would love to have you as a family there.

That's great. Write down a goal for tomorrow that's achievable. And have a cup of tea!

That's fantastic! Well do you, I hope you are giving yourself a really big pat on the back.

I've just got home, still feeling like shit, and have taken straight to bed.

How do you feel about doing another bag tomorrow op?

That should read, well DONE you!

OP with regards to the house, consider looking up fly lady online? The baby steps are pretty good and you can go as slow as you like. I find getting on top of my home makes the world of difference to how I feel.

How are you doing op? Did you ever manage that second bin bag?

I'm really sorry for not replying sooner. I've not been well and mostly been hiding in bed/been asleep. I've been doing some practical stuff too, it's just been very draining. I'm still hiding a lot and not really up to much, I just wanted to say something on here because it felt really rude not to. Sorry for being so useless.

No worries Lost. Hope you're ok.

Please PM me if you'd like to chat. I didn't seem to get anything from you when you said you'd PMd.