2023/24 SAD thread

[Idratherbepaddleboarding]

Hi again, I’m back for another year ☹️. I can’t see that anyone has started a SAD thread yet but today seems to be the day that it’s really kicking in! So here’s another thread to support each other through winter 🥶.

Just to introduce myself, I have regular depression with SAD on top, an eating disorder and ASD (a fun combination).

All are welcome, the only rule is no one is allowed to mention, hygge, snuggling or being cosy!

@Idratherbepaddleboarding did you find it fun?

Right, I'm making a plan and will workout after work.

There's a builder in my flat at the mo and he's just telling me he doesn't make enough time for the gym...he's lugging seriously heavy stuff around all day....I am shamed 😂

it is brighter today....we are nearly there, Imbolc just a few days away....

It was so fun! It didn’t really feel like working out but I can feel that it was today!

Good luck with your workout, what do you like doing?

It’s not brighter here, it’s horrible ☹️.

Hello everyone, sorry for falling off the thread. I've been struggling a lot recently. I've just been reading all your updates though and they have made me smile, or feel less alone in my misery.
In good news, we're very nearly at the end of January. I usually find February difficult too, but it gets better every day as it gets lighter and lighter.
I saw snowdrops for the first time a few days ago!

@OrangeDino Sorry to hear that
Hopefully things are looking up now.

I used to do cardio, weights, and yoga - but last night I did a really easy fusion workout and I'm shocked at how tired I feel today. Not DOMS, just tired. Maybe it's not related and I'm just tired?

Cold and damp and grey today so that might be a factor.

Yep. The grey chill saps motivation. And still Feb to get through.... 😞 fingers crossed for some blue sky at least

Glad to see you back @OrangeDino sorry you haven’t been good ☹️.

We seem to be having opposite weather here, it’s really nice (if cold!) here today.

How’s everyone’s weekend been? It’s been nice and sunny here but bloody windy as usual! I went to take the buns out this morning and definitely got a feeling that spring is in the air. Does anyone else think that seasons have a certain feeling about them?

We’ve had 2 lovely beach walks with friends and our dog got a new friend as our friends have a 9 month dogue de Bordeaux puppy that he hadn’t met before. He was such a lovely pup but we got loads of evils from people thinking he should be muzzled. It must be awful for people who have dogs that look similar to XL bullies, we’ve never experienced that with our lab!

I went to my second pole fitness class and loved it even more 🥰. I really want a pole for our gym now!

I haven’t stopped all weekend so I definitely deserve my Chinese for tea.

The only bad thing is that I’ve run out of my sertraline and can’t collect my new prescription til Tuesday ☹️.

"Does anyone else think that seasons have a certain feeling about them?"

Yes! My favourite evening is that first time you're outside and you can smell summer approaching...

My weekend was mainly walking, wine and whinging. I feel better for it and am now hoping that Feb flies into March and spring very quickly. I so need brightness and a bit of warmth.

Hello! I had norovirus. OMG.

I lost about half a stone. I was so ill, it only lasted 7 hours but felt like a week. I was then headache and feverish for about 48 hours. Then just relieved it was gone. I then came on the heaviest period. I have never looked so pale and ill.

However, I also started the progesterone only pill last week and I seem to have fixed ten years of anxiety (not constant but just after my period) and irritability (increasingly was getting worse). I wish I had gone on it sooner.

I am looking forward to going to the gym soon.

Sounds awful @MistyTrains2 . I'm glad you are on the mend and have found something positive ✨️

@MistyTrains2 Sorry to hear that, I am terrified of getting again and it's more than 15 years ago I had it. I always ask people to wash hands if they enter my flat after using public transport (which most people are).

I have long been accused of obsessive handwashing but that's the reason why. I don't care if my hands age prematurely!

glad the POP is suiting you.

i'm quite perky but I gather there's another cold spell coming, a pity. Lots of daffs and crocuses out now on my walks.

Sorry you’ve been unwell @MistyTrains2, hope you’re ok now 😊.

It’s another hideous day here, really windy, raining and dark. Thank god I have time to go and get my sertraline today!

It's grim here too. Grey and wet. I keep trying to be positive and have hope but........ Has anybody got a hint of sun?

@lyingonthebeach not a hint of sun here but I was able to collect my Sertraline prescription today so I am riding the serotonin high 😂.

I’ve been thinking of some goals for myself to make myself feel like I’m achieving something while I wait for the weather to improve:

1. Eat like a normal human being (I’m actually 4 weeks in to this one and my brain is starting to function again 🥳).
2. Gain 4kg.
3. Learn to do a handstand and what I think is called a backwards walk over.
4. Learn to go upside down on the pole.
5. Be able to do the splits (this one may take a while).
6. Research if I can do any courses in criminal psychology around work. This is related to my work and not just random!

This is definitely the serotonin talking! Anyone like to make some goals with me?

@Idratherbepaddleboarding ooh I am envious of your serotonin hit 😉.

But I've literally just booked a nearly-week in Lanzarote for the week after next. That's given me a bit of a high and planning includes which summery clothes to get out and pack, and which strengths of sunscreen to take. Oh the relief of having this to look forward to and the boost I know I'll get from escaping the grey and seeing the sun🌞😁. I actually feel a bit giddy 😂

And I admire your goals.... Grand idea and I'll think of some and share - after packing

@lyingonthebeach I’d rather have your holiday, that’s a real serotonin hit!

Is it just me or does this feel like a loooong winter? And to make it worse I’ve come down with a horrible cold ☹️.

@Idratherbepaddleboarding this feels like the longest winter ever. Even friends who don't suffer say the same.

I’m so sick of it! I’m so bored and feel like I’m just endlessly waiting for something. All I want to do is take the dog for a nice, long walk after work in the field in shorts instead of a quick walk along the pavements, wrapped up in a giant coat with ice rain stabbing me in the face 😡. I actually feel really angry tonight 🙈.

Rant away! We all hear you👂it's therapy! And ranting here has really helped me

It’s a much better day today. I was able to walk the dog without a coat on! And open the windows to let some fresh air in. I feel like crap though with my stupid cold ☹️.

Anyone take vitamin d spray and/or tablets? Any recommendations?

Agree with pp saying winter feels longer this year

Took a prozac just now - following a chat on here about how the odd pill can help and women taking it a week a month for PMT etc.

@Idratherbepaddleboarding I'm afraid my goal is to get to a place where I can set goals! but this less about SAD and more about depression I think.

I'm now in that place where I'm much more productive late in the evening and at night but this doesn't fit well with real life. I'm getting the essentials done but nothing extra. I do have goals for spring, vaguely, but strangely it still feels far away - I wouldn't usually feel like this in Feb?

I do want a goal list for spring.

It's been sunny but cold. I am supposed to do a workout but honestly not sure I'll find the mental energy.

@EmmaEmerald I get how you feel, I’m on 100mg Sertraline which has massively helped me this winter. I’d recommend to anyone suffering with depression whether seasonal or not to take anti depressants, they’re life changing for me!

A few weeks ago I was described as a “Duracell bunny” by a colleague/ friend. They didn’t know me when I was literally crawling up the stairs (at home, not at work of course) as I didn’t have the energy to walk!

I’m off work today and it’s a lovely day. DS has gone to Sandcastles water park with his friends and I had breakfast and a walk with my friend (who is DS’s friends’ mum). Now I’m on hold to HMRC because they’ve fucked up my tax code for April, which is not lovely, then going to take the dog for a walk in the sunshine to cheer me up again.