SAD/ feeling low in winter support thread

[LadyCatStark]

Hi all, after reading some unhelpful comments on another thread where someone is struggling, I wondered if anyone would like to join me in a SAD support thread for anyone who is feeling low now that winter is coming, whether you have a SAD diagnosis or not.

Disclaimer: I know anyone can post anything they like on a public forum but please, out of respect for those of us who are really struggling, don’t come on this thread to tell us how much you love winter, hygge, snuggling, hot chocolate or twinkly lights or tell us that we’ll feel better if only we change our mindset.

Please feel free to share your feelings, good or bad, tell us about your day or share tips for things that help (or don’t). Hopefully we can all help each other get through this winter!

@Reebok you’re very welcome to join us, we still have a while to go before spring!

Morning all. I read your post @stilldumdedumming and my heart sank for you. How are things now?

I ended up with DH in A&E on the 23rd and he's been diagnosed with gout and hobbling about on crutches as he can't put any weight on his foot. He is getting better now that he has medication for it and we are hoping to get out for a bit today for a change of scenery.

I've been trying to keep on top of my vitamins and have started taking zinc and magnesium at night as well as Vit B, C and D and I've had 8 hours plus sleep the last couple of nights. I was going through a spell of 3 or 4 hours and that was brutal.

Welcome @Reebok!

Ouch for the gout! Hope DH feels better soon! And magnesium is supposed to be fab dp has started taking it and sleeping better as well I need to start it.

Had the worst day ever. Had to rush dp to hospital as his coronary artery was playing up. If it happens again he may need a stent. Had to deal with DSS outside for hours whilst work told me I had to be in no matter what. No one could get DSS and I was stressed to hell for hours had to pay £20 in an Uber to get to work for a whole 3 bloody hour shift. Then to top it off everyone at work has covid or has called in sick or has gone away for Christmas and hasn't come back yet. So there's 2 of us in a heaving shopping mall shop. Fuck everything feel like I'm going to have an aneurysm.

Oh gosh, so many ill DHs! Hope they’re all ok and you all too of course, it must be so stressful.

He isn't even 30 yet. Guess we have many years of this to go

Hope everyone else had a better day!

That’s sounds a nightmare @ShaneTheThird. It’s such a lot to cope with. You must be feeling run ragged.

DH wasn’t feeling well yesterday and it gave me the dreads that something else was cropping up. I think it’s all taking a toll on his mental health rather than anything specific. We are going to try and get out today. He’s rarely been anywhere in the past two months other than doctors or hospital.

I woke up at 3am was awake for an hour but managed to get back to sleep.

I’m going to make an effort to get out myself for a bit. I’m beginning to feel a bit agoraphobic and don’t want to meet people and I know that isn’t healthy.

Gah I feel really bad, but I’ve had to mute a friend on FB who lives in Australia. She and her family are completely living their best life. They’ve just set off on their boat for new year and are kayaking from it etc. Meanwhile, I’m soaked from walking the dog in the pouring rain and about to start doing yet more housework 😭.

Argh smug Australia ex pats! I know a few keep her muted well until the hot months at least.

A walk with your dog will do you more for your wellbeing than scrutinising someone elses carefully curated perfect life @LadyCatStark! I've had a couple of walks in the nearby woods these past two days and felt so much better for doing it.

I came off Facebook a few years back and it did wonders for my mental health. It can be very toxic and I spent so much time following the lives of people I had no meaningful relationship with. Haven't missed it at all.

DH is much better and took the kids out to the cinema for a couple of hours and I had a nap. I rarely ever do that during the day but I felt the most relaxed I've done in a long time. Then we went out for dinner for the first time in months.

We have no plans for tonight other than DD16 is going to a NYE party.

How's everyone else feeling about the New Year?

@Ulysses is spot on there. Definitely limit Facebook. People only show what they want to show.

I'm going to work then coming home to clean and tidy the house and hopefully I can get ss to sleep early for a facemask and to watch junk TV and see fireworks. How's everyone else spending it?

Hello all I'm just catching up. Bloody hell @ShaneTheThird that does sound a bit traumatic. Are you ok? People always ask me if I have support. I do. My parents are great and I have the support of my nidra teachers who I meet up with online regularly. But it's not enough. I need some replenishment of my own being really. I know that sounds spoilt but I can't really put it into words.

Dp is really depressed- it's terrible. He still can't eat as he mangled his tongue in a seizure. I'm supposed to be going to the cinema this tea time with ds. Just to see c'mon c'mon and dp is not happy about that.

I'm also a bit cross that once again I was looking forward to a break from work and it's been ruined. I've not been able to do anything. That is spoilt I know. But it's the fourth time this year. I suppose I need to let go of the idea of having a break.

It's not spoilt at all @stilldumdedumming, not one bit. Everyone needs to recharge. Is your DH entitled to a care package so you can get a reprieve? I've taken next Thursday off the day the kids go back to school. I've been looking forward to it for so long just so I can have a few hours to switch off without being responsible for anyone. Id be so disappointed if something prevented that from happening.

Happy new year everyone! How is everyone? It feels so spring like today 😊.

Happy new year! Very mild weather today it's crazy!

Morning all, hope you are all okay. I've had a nice couple of days, been getting out for solo walks and yesterday I took my youngest ice skating with her cousins and today we are off to Ikea (she loves it there so it's a treat for her!).

It's been so nice doing normal stuff after a tough couple of months. I am remembering to take my vitamins and have started a daily yoga programme. I'm not back to work till next Monday either so trying to get the house organised (hence Ikea!).

Hi everyone Just catching up after a long break, and so sorry to hear some of you are having a tough time I hope things improve a bit for you soon.

Things have been quite tough here - mental health has been atrocious and I found a breast lump on Christmas morning, so just waiting to hear from the breast clinic. Also have a basal cell carcinoma on my face which I’ve been assured sounds worse than it is, but need to have it removed. I have the work dread now - going back to absolute chaos as 2 of my small team have left and my boss keeps piling more work and travel on me. I am v close to the edge at the moment.

IKEA sounds fab I want to go to one!

@SirChenjins that sounds really tough it's an anxious time waiting I had a lump scanned two months ago but was benign and they said most lumps are totally benign if that helps at all.

That sounds like so much pressure and stress on you :(

Blimey @SirChenjins Is it possible to push back at work at all? I hope it's not as bad as you fear. And with the wait too, you must feel under siege.

I've had a shitty time off, with dp in hospital on the first day, and then a terrible reaction to the anti seizure meds, which was very scary. Got an urgent review and he stopped them yesterday. Back at work tomorrow!

I'm going to do a workout now tho.

That sounds very scary @SirChenjins, I hope you’re ok! I think you’ve been on the puppy thread, is that right? How is pup if so?

I’m definitely full of January blues today. I paid the deposit for DS’s skiing trip in 2023 though and I’m both excited for him and very jealous!

Thanks for your good wishes folks @stilldumdedumming - that sounds really tough How is your partner doing?

I have told my boss that I’m not prepared to do the amount of travel she had presumed I would do to cover the vacancies but I suspect I’m going back to a battle - she’s a very strong character, to say the least. I’ve spoken briefly to my Union about it and they’ve been brilliant, so I’ll just need to stand my ground as the last couple of years have been hideous with various things - this time of year drags me down anyway, but it’s really bad at the moment.

@LadyCatStark - yes, I’ve been on the puppy thread. He’s doing great and he’s really lovely, but if I’m being completely honest it’s been a lot to deal with on top of everything else. Apologies, I’m aware I sound like an absolute misery

@SirChenjins don’t worry having our puppy has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done!

My work has got a new head and I’m also going to have to do much more travelling I think and my job is going to look very different even though we’ve been asked to pick which team we want to work in without being told why each team will be doing! The conversation went something like:
Boss: we’ve removed areas and everyone will work across the county to reduce travel time.
Everyone: how on Earth will that reduce travel time??
Boss: well for some teams it won’t but we’ve allocated 4 hours a week for travel.
Everyone: but we already do more than that!
Boss: well that’s how much we think most people will travel a week.
Everyone: 😳

Do we work on the same team?! My boss often comes out with stuff like that - I honestly wonder about her grasp on reality at times! All joking aside, that sounds awful - is there a resolution or a compromise, do you think?

Yes, the puppy days are pretty challenging to say the least. We went for a walk at lunchtime - I can do that route in 20 mins, but it took us almost an hour of absolute chaos. We were both shattered when we got back!

Probably haha! I have no idea if there’s anything that can be done because I have no idea what the actual plan for our day jobs will be 🤯. All I know is it definitely won’t be of any benefit to the people that matter: the children and families as it never is!