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Does anyone else struggle at new year?

4 replies

Scutterbug · 15/12/2024 23:17

I’m dreading new year. I manage Xmas quite well but then crash horrendously afterwards. Last year I managed just about with regular visits from my care coordinator although I did end up in A and E twice in crisis. The two years previous to that I was sectioned.
Between Xmas and NY this year my care coordinator is away. I’m actually not seeing her now until the second week of January. I just know I will crash. It’s the thought of starting another year. Another year of being housebound. Another year of loneliness and isolation. I just feel I can’t do another year of it,
Is anyone else the same? Maybe we can support one another?

OP posts:
CydonianKnight · 16/12/2024 03:39

Yes. It is very common and perfectly normal to see crap at new year.

Things I have have learned which may help, and it is likely to be waffley, hope it makes sense and helps.

NY is actually made up in the calendar. There is nothing that says it has to be enjoyable or to force you into looking forward to stuff any more than any other random day.
It is a perfect time for self care. Sleep as much as you need, wear fluffy socks, go outside for a short while. Walk and be mindful of the very sligh lift of dark evenings.
Look carefully and you’ll see the odd sign of crocus and snowdrops peeping through soil.

Find something simple to be interested in and take up your time. A little game on your phone, cheap soup recipes, something to distract
.
Recognise that thoughts are fleeting. Sadness, melancholy, all of those feelings will come. Recognise them, say to yourself “oh here you are loneliness”. You know what it’s, and it does pass. When it is with you, acknowledge it and respond in whatever way helps. Small little self care things. Hot buttery toast. Look at the golden colours, the melted butter. The simple taste.

What are your Vitamin D levels like? I foolishly didn’t realise the impact of lack of sunshine on my mood. I take a supplement now and that has also helped.

Dont add any pressure on yourself. Maybe avoid social media, or the news. There are thousands of people also struggling, you are not alone and there is not anything wrong in feeling crap. Maybe this thread will help. We can share our self care for January journey?

CydonianKnight · 16/12/2024 03:42

So sorry, didn’t read about you being housebound. Ok there are other things we can do as a thread together. It’s late and I’m tired, hence the waffle.

YouTube have videos of outdoors which helped when I had surgery. Let’s help each other out, anyone else up for helping?

Scutterbug · 16/12/2024 11:25

Thank you so much, youve put a lot of thought into your reply and I’m truly grateful for that. You are right that it is just another day really. I need to try to change my mindset I think.
Sharing our journey sounds like a lovely idea, surrounding ourselves with positivity is a must I think x

OP posts:
CydonianKnight · 17/12/2024 00:43

Brilliant. Sorry about typos, I am visually impaired.

A change in mindset will help. Someone somewhere decided this calendar change for a new year meant that people are supposed to do x or y. Well it is nonsense. It’s just a day, like any other. Pressure is man made, and important to ignore.

Word games have been helping me, or app puzzles. MyCafe was my go to distraction for a while.
Or getting distracted with a book, binge watching tv shows that make me laugh or films.
Distract your mind. Notice good things, small steps.
It is ok not to be ok, but this new year needs to be a time when we reject pressure to be reinvented, or looking forward etc. Just be.

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