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!

Glad you’re feeling Ok @ShaneTwane but sorry about the interview, they can sometimes take ages to decide though!

@Ulysses it’s rubbish isn’t it? I’ve been working my second job but the weather keeps waking me up at 5am ish as our bedroom is in the roof and it’s really loud. Then I’m up, cold and worrying about money.

DH is back in the country from his work trip and he literally rang me from the arrivals lounge to tell me we’re spending too much money. FFS all I’ve bought this week is petrol literally to get me to work and back, the bare minimum of food from Aldi and I gave DS a tenner yesterday as he wanted to go out with friends and DH is always complaining that he isn’t sociable. Oh and I bought DS some cheesy chips when we went out for a freezing cold walk as I’m trying to give him some semblance of a nice holiday. I didn’t even have any tea on Monday as I worked 10 hours and was going to pop to McDonalds after work but didn’t was even that’s too much nowadays. All the while, DH has been living the high live on his (albeit free) fancy skiing holiday. Oh and our national insurance has gone up today too.

I'm sorry dh is being hard work already @LadyCatStark. Money issues are really bad right now I'm burning up £10 a day on my smart meter and it's crippling. I currently have £100 left to last the month and I've used all my savings so things are looking dire for us as well.

Ouch! Apparently our meter is a smart meter but it’s not one of those boxes that plug in that tell you how much we’re using like we used to have so I’ve no idea. I complained to DH that I was cold before and he told me to put the heating on. He better not put it on when he gets back!! He’s one of these people that acts now and thinks later so he won’t think about the fact that we have to pay for it further down the line. I guess our saving grace is that DH’s pay day is 24th of the month but it’s a weekend and we can claim it a day early so he’ll get paid on 22nd this month so we’re counting down.

Yesterday I was in tears as I was trying to pay the credit card bill that I can’t afford and there’s been an ongoing issue where I ask for the date to be moved (back) to the 6th of the month and they keep telling me it’s sorted and then it’s not. This has been going on all year and the horrible woman on the phone kept telling me it’s because I keep making “late payments” and I kept telling her it not a late payment because it’s their issue not mine and I was cold and hungry and just trying to pay the damn bill. She was nice to me after that but when I got off the phone my dog jumped up and licked all my tears away and gave me his favourite ball to make me feel better. It did make me feel better but also made me cry harder at his act of pure love. I’m so lucky to have him 🥰.

Sorry to hear about money worries - It’s a feeling that gnaws away at you and I know it all too well. DH is self employed and although he pays himself a set salary that was cut in the pandemic and not reinstated and bonuses are erratic so our income has reduced a lot in the past couple of years.

Fortunately we got a good fixed rate on energy last autumn (I only realised this a couple of weeks back as estimate was sky high and our actual readings were half this) so our monthly payment shouldn’t go up that much after summer. It really is causing a crisis for a lot of people, my own extended family included.

At least we have had some free sunshine after a miserable week so have been in the garden enjoying that.

Your dog is a great advert for the joys of puppy ownership @LadyCatStark.

Ooh lucky you @Ulysses, we’ve had a bit of sunshine but it’s been bitterly cold and I’ve been hailed in for the past 3 days in a row!

I’m not sure he was a good advert for puppy ownership 😂 but he’s grown into the most perfect doggo now that he’s just turned 1. Here’s a shameless photo of the gorgeous boy himself 🥰.

He's so lovely @LadyCatStark. I'm on holiday now and it's such a nice feeling though I'm starting it by taking my DD to the doctors as she's complaining of a sore ear. We've a couple of night away from Wednesday so I'm really looking forward to that. It's sunny for now but oh so cold.

Did you hear back about the job @shaneTwane, I've got my fingers crossed for you.

@LadyCatStark he is so gorgeous!!

@Ulysses hope the holiday is good and DD feels better really soon!

No news I'm expecting an email today to say when my next interview is. Just stressed to the max at the moment as dp is out of work and now has smashed his teeth out so we are desperately trying to find an NHS dentist. It's been 4 days and we are being rejected by everywhere. Called 15 dentists and the dental hospital and no one will see him. No idea what to do.

How’s everyone’s bank holiday going? We went up to Windermere with my parents’ boat. It’s completely my happy place. We were hoping to paddleboard too but the water was still too cold. DS has outgrown his wetsuit too 😭. Our dog loved going on the boat though and it was lovely to see him enjoying something brand new. DH then ruined it on the way home by arguing with me on the way home about the stupid event we’re helping with at the village hall tomorrow 😡.

That sounds like a lovely day (bar the arguing). I am knackered after our break. We left DD16 at home as she's studying for exams but that was a huge stress in itself and I couldn't really relax thinking about her. She was absolutely fine though and the house was spotless when we came back last night.

While we were away we went to Skye for the day and it was awesome, a real highlight. I've got a busy weekend and when all I can be bothered doing is pottering at home. The weather hasn't been that great here but today is supposed to be nice and I've been obligated to ferry my DD11 and friends to an indoor Lasertag party.

I hope everyone enjoys the Easter break. Did your DP have much luck in finding a dentist @shaneTwane?

Sounds like a Lovely day bar arguing. Aw Skye sounds beautiful! Hope you both had a great time are you doing much on Sunday?
I got a written warning at work and I didn't get the job I interviewed for so have been having a rubbish weekend. On the plus side I did find an NHS dentist after calling over 80 dentists but the appointment isn't until the end of may.

Oh no! What happened? Do you not have an emergency dentist near you?

It was a lovely day to be fair and the event at the hall went off without a hitch as I knew it would 🙄.

No NHS dentists seem to be taking on anyone not Registered! It's a shocker.

How's everyone been? I'm just focusing on job hunting and trying to be happy now the good weather's coming. I've even joined a few hiking groups on Facebook to get out more and meet new people.

I’m enjoying the weather but my new role at work is already very crazy! DH got a 5% pay rise this year and has ended up with £100 less after deductions. I’m so fed up with it all. All the extra money I’ve earned from my second job will be wiped out.

That's utterly shite! I'm sorry. I've never understood that. It's the same at my work the more hours I do the more im taxed and less I have each month. How are you feeling in the role?

Sorry for not responding, work has been crazy busy. I’m enjoying it but my god, it’s hard work and stressful. Just downloaded my payslip and my pay rise is a grand total of………. £42. FML!

Oh that pay rise sounds disappointing! Glad you are enjoying it though that always helps! Works mad here I am waiting to be called in for a meeting as I've appealed my disciplinery so I'm super stressed.

It’s so disappointing! Hope your meeting goes well 🤞

Thank you! How is everyone feeling? Honestly this thread has really helped me a lot through out winter. It's still really cold here today and it might rain. Typical on my only day off when we are planning to go out for the first time in 4 months lol

I hope the rain held off for your venture out @ShaneTwane . Yes, agree this thread has been a little place in the world where I've been able to vent away and get some good advice and support.

Now that it is brighter and the days are longer I am much more content. I find it easier to live simply. My cherry tree is in full blossom and I spend time just watching the birds and bees coming to it. I can get out in the garden and potter about. I find winter such a chore. Is everyone off for the holiday weekend?

@ShaneTwane hope you managed to have a nice day out.

I’ve had a shitty week… literally (sorry TMI). I’ve had the most stressful week ever at work and thought I’d treat myself to a nice prawn salad from the sandwich shop on the way home as my last appointment cancelled… now I have food poisoning 🤢🙈😡. That really sums up my week!

@Ulysses I’m off from my main job but my 2nd job has decided to put a staff meeting on in the middle of the day on bank holiday Monday! Whyyyy?

AHH no I hope you feel better that sounds rough! Dp was the same. We had an incredibly expensive tapas which was a con as the menu had prices per person and the dishes were for two so we literally paid £120 we don't have when we were expecting £60! Dp also got food poisoning from the paella and vomited very suddenly so I had to clean it up which was a rubbish end to a nice day.

Oh no! What a shame. I certainly wouldn’t want to have it drop £120 on a meal out right now. I’m feeling fine today thank god. I was still stressed this morning so I took our dog out for a long walk/ swim (him not me!) and tried to appreciate being out in nature. Billy (the dog) found some teeny tiny new born moorhens. I was worried he’d eat them but he didn’t and we enjoyed watching them.

Oh that sounds precious! Moorhens are so cute as well I imagine the babies to be adorable! Hope your doing better today.
@Ulysses the cherry tree sounds gorgeous!

Nature is a tonic isn't it! That'd put a dampener on your meal @ShaneTwane . I hate feeling ripped off when eating out. Glad you are feeling better @LadyCatStark.

I'm digging out a flower bed in the garden and having a few plants to look out to is another way that springtime is lifting me up. It's hard work though lifting up the soil and I'm achy from it but I love having a project on the go.

We're going out later today for fish and chips by the sea followed by ice cream. The weather is proving a bit miserable but hey ho.