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Original poster

SAD/ feeling low in winter support thread

886 replies

LadyCatStark · 15/09/2021 10:16

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!

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Original poster
LadyCatStark · 05/01/2022 20:53

Has anyone got any good New Years resolutions? Mine are:

To learn more knowledge.
To care less about being thin and more about being healthy.
To average 12000 steps a day this year (last year I really wanted to average 10000 I was was so close after having a lot of time off running in Jan and Feb due to ice and fog and then not being g able to get out much when the puppy was tiny

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Original poster
LadyCatStark · 05/01/2022 20:55

Argh posted too soon, I was so close to 10000 and then covid out a stop to it and I ended up on 9955 🙈.
And my last resolution is to get back to doing as much as we used to do pre covid as we seem to have got into the habit of staying at home.

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ShaneTheThird · 05/01/2022 21:00

Oh they are really good ones! Hopefully the weather stays better for you to get that 12000 steps a day. I have loads. I want to become more stylish and make an effort with my appearance more. I want to cross off things from my bucket list, save some money and finish some projects maybe even get a new job. I feel everyone else's are probably more sensible than mine Grin

ShaneTheThird · 05/01/2022 21:01

So if anyone fancies walking up Snowdon hit me up Wink

Ulysses · 06/01/2022 11:56

DH and I got walking boots last Christmas and we were going to be doing more walks and bag a few Munro's, but that never quite materialised!

Unfortunately we had another trip to A&E a couple of days ago as DH's gout has come back and he's having to get about on crutches again. So I am spending my precious day off at close quarters in case he needs some assistance, though he's a bit better getting about now.

I don't have much in the way of resolutions but am trying to get my house in order, so have been to the tip and put away stuff in the loft this morning. I got my bookcase built the other day so going to get that organised.

Once DH is settled this morning (he's currently in the bath and it's a mammoth task for him to get in and out), I'm going to get my walk in. I'm missed it the past few days so keen to get out even though it's cold and miserable.

I hope work isn't too awful for you guys. Mine's is going to be full on when I get back on Monday but I'm trying not to think about that yet.

stilldumdedumming · 06/01/2022 12:10

I'm not sure about NYRs. This year I want to unfuck my boundaries (I am aware this is the title of a self help book - that I've not read Grin). I have a massive daydream of moving. I rent and permanently WFH so in theory the country is my oyster. But first, boundaries.

Dp is a lot calmer but still so low. I have counselling tonight too.

stilldumdedumming · 06/01/2022 12:12

Also not to be a downer but the evenings are not light enough soon enough in my view. It's actually here to May that gets me every year and I'm not in as good a place as I need to be to get through it.

Ulysses · 06/01/2022 12:41

I think it's the getting through the day rather than being able thrive that is the killer with these months.

SirChenjins · 06/01/2022 13:24

I agree @Ulysses.

I'm full of admiration for those of you who have made NYR but at the moment I'm just trying to get through the day without crying. Hopefully as time goes on I'll be able to think a bit more long term.

bluechinavase · 06/01/2022 13:29

Glad to have found this thread. I’ve been struggling like never before and feel so disconnected from humanity. The weather has been abysmal and I can’t seem to drag my ass into gear to make things better. I’ve done nothing today. But I am reminded to go and take my vits to see if that will help.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 06/01/2022 13:36

Hello have followed this thread on and off. I can't remember if I posted before. SAD is a bit of a challenge this year. Today is my Blue Thursday lol. Everything is dead (nature wise) and the sky is a hanger of white cloud. I've tapered off anti depressants but just taken a quarter of one as I do have some and my brain feels vaguely like working. Which is handy as I am meant to be working from home today. I did meet a friend yesterday and it was lovely but I won't see her until next week. I've also got my SAD lamp on. I've put some game shows on as a distraction from this lonely feeling. Just got to bear the current situation out.

Original poster
LadyCatStark · 06/01/2022 14:23

Ah yes I’m setting us all a collective resolution of taking our supplements! I’ve been rubbish over Christmas due to lack of routine but have taken them today. I’ve also put my SAD lamp on while WFH this afternoon which I haven’t used over the holidays as I plug it in to my computer.

I’m sorry if I sound overly enthusiastic. As I’ve mentioned before, I started taking Sertraline in September and it’s really made the difference! It also helps me to have the get-up-and-go to actually do the things I need to do to look after my mental health. That’s what I’ve always struggled with, the worse you MH is the more difficult it is to do the things that help it and the more you want to do the things that don’t (aka Hygge!).

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ShaneTheThird · 06/01/2022 14:26

Oh I absolutely agree January Feb and march really hurt my soul. I'm cold grey and miserable. The only plus is I just started the new year right. I'm on the way home from the dentist and it's bloody freezing. Bonus is my next appointment is 6 months away.

stilldumdedumming · 06/01/2022 17:36

Taken my supplements. I'm going for a streak. I'll be back later for chats.

stilldumdedumming · 07/01/2022 08:45

Two days running on the supplements- get me!

Original poster
LadyCatStark · 07/01/2022 12:56

@stilldumdedumming I wasn’t sure if you were going for a vitamin taking streak or going out streaking and then coming back for a chat! I wouldn’t recommend streaking in January, it’s far too cold!

DS has now tested positive for Covid so I’m having to work from home due to my work’s policy. I don’t think some of my parents are happy with me but it’s of my choice unfortunately 😭.

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stilldumdedumming · 07/01/2022 13:02

Yes I saw it was ambiguous but decided to leave it Wink

EmmaH2022 · 07/01/2022 13:07

Hi everyone

Sorry so many of us seem to be in the same boat

I guess we can take turns baling out water?

I was about to start a thread of my own when I found this one
I used to get bad SAD, then it stopped for a few years!
This year it seems to be back with a vengeance.

This morning I was in floods of tears over a debt collection letter - I don't owe much of the debt and it's proving impossible to sort.

I rang my mum for a shoulder but she is 83 and can't really cope but I haven't got anyone else to talk to.

I know it will get sorted but depression and/or SAD just makes it hard to even get out of bed. Stuff like this sets me off weeping like a loony, it wouldn't happen in summer.

I find hard to even keep the flat clean in summer.

Thank you for listening.

ShaneTheThird · 07/01/2022 13:30

I did wonder about the streaking Wink

@EmmaH2022 welcome. Sorry to hear you are struggling. Have you looked at advice on here for the debt? Loads of threads with people in the same boat and how to sort it out.

EmmaH2022 · 07/01/2022 13:37

@ShaneTheThird

I did wonder about the streaking Wink

@EmmaH2022 welcome. Sorry to hear you are struggling. Have you looked at advice on here for the debt? Loads of threads with people in the same boat and how to sort it out.

Thank you I have had a look on here but I think it's the details of my situation that make it complex.

I can sort it, but I think the collection company are trying to delay to make more money.

stilldumdedumming · 07/01/2022 16:15

@EmmaH2022 almost certainly. I used to be a debt advocate. I changed jobs about 15 years ago and I believe that it's got worse because there are fewer advocates about to help with things other than the really big eviction/ committal type money issues.

Can you put it in writing to them eg email? Can you pay what you owe in total or do you need a payment plan? If you can pay in total the amount you owe do that and put in writing what you are doing, if at all possible.

stilldumdedumming · 07/01/2022 16:17

Appreciate it might be more complicated than that. It was the best job I ever had.

EmmaH2022 · 07/01/2022 16:30

Thanks still

It is a lot more complicated I'm afraid
I could DM you but I don't want to be a pain
It seems to be in progress

I just completely lost it this morning, there is something about this time of year that makes me feel I've fallen in a hole and I can't seem to cope with the daily stuff

Reading other people's posts, I know a lot of people like this.

Anyone for a group hug?!

EmmaH2022 · 07/01/2022 16:31

@stilldumdedumming

Appreciate it might be more complicated than that. It was the best job I ever had.
Better than streaking? 😂
Original poster
LadyCatStark · 08/01/2022 09:37

@EmmaH2022 🤗 hug for you.

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