2025/26 SAD thread

[Idstillratherbepaddleboarding]

It’s 1st September tomorrow so we’re back for another year’s SAD thread.

Welcome all old and new who struggles in the cold and dark months for advice and general moaning!

The only rule is no talk of snuggling under blankets, crunching in leaves (which will realistically be a soggy wet mulch, or pumpkin spiced anything!

Advice from previous years’ threads:

A SAD lamp can help as can a daylight alarm clock.
Try to get outdoors when the weather/ light allows it.
Try to keep up with your exercise routine or start a new one!
Remember to take your vitamin D and multi vitamins.
Try to have something to look forward to.

I'm regretting that hard workout last night

I'm absolutely knackered

I did it because I get a bit worried about losing fitness gains over the winter. But to be honest, I wonder if now territory where it's better to do gentle workouts until the worst of winter is over.

Oh no @EmeraldRoulette! I think it’s worthless sending to your body and gentle exercise is better than no exercise.

I have a problem: the new fluoxetine is kicking in but it’s completely destroyed what appetite I had. I can’t do right for doing wrong! On a better note, my appointment at the eating disorder clinic is tomorrow, I’ve made it!

Big wave 👋

Had a mad couple of weeks. If I can make it through tomorrow I can stop and stay in bed or on the sofa all weekend give or take a bit. I've been catching up but can't remember who said what but I would also like to visit the beautiful sunny place for us SAD sufferers. Very jealous of those who manage to get some winter sun. Hope everyone who's had illnesses are on the mend. Oh my god and it's been so rainy this week. 😫

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding so pleased to hear you you have been signed off because it sounded like you need (and deserve) it. I know those of us with kids have some things we can't get out of like school runs, and having some structure is good for us, but do try and rest up a bit as well to help give yourself a chance to build up some energy reserves and get better. Sofa. Naff Christmas rom coms. I'm a sucker for a jigsaw but I also take forever doing them. And just remember your value isn't in how much to do for everyone around you. This is the perfect time of year to stop and try to slow down and hibernate a bit. Although it's also always the busiest time of year as well. Definitely don't stop the pole dancing! Hope the change in meds help. And well done for making it to tomorrow. Hope the appointment is productive and helps.

So we've had birthdays, family stuff, including a family member in hospital which has been stressful. And too many school shows and group group chats pinging constantly all day. I started this week feeling proud that despite everything I have been managing to keep pretty regulated but that's all gone now. One more office day then I can crash.

Shame the SAD glasses havent been too useful. I'm still using my sad light on my work days but I forget when I'm not at my desk.

I am struggling to move enough and have been feeling so achy and old and useless. One step at a time....

Thanks @mrsdiddlydoo the appointment went well although it was a lot. She did say at the end though that they consider your case at a panel on Thursdays to see if your case is suitable or if a different service would be better. I’m worried now that they’ll try to fob me off due to my autism and depression. I know from work that people who have multiple diagnoses tend to get passed from pillar to post with no one actually doing anything because they put the blame on your other conditions. I did say that to her though, in a nice way.

I’m fortunate that my DS is 16 so the extent of my involvement seems to be ferrying him around! He goes on the bus to school. It feels so unfair though that by the time we get to the weekend we’re too tired to do anything but crash!

Absolutely howling here, shocking rain. I'm so depressed. Dreading Christmas. Lost mum recently. And I e a lumpy throat still

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding glad it went as well as these things can. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome. Well done!

I don't know how I did today. Now on a sofa under a blanket and I can't move.

Blowing a hoolie outside. Arrgghh

Sorry about your mum @Lumpythroat How are you holding up?

It’s awful here too, I had to go and collect DS from his school bus (only a short walk) as it was pouring down, windy as hell and pitch black… at 4:15pm. I’m going to bed til spring 😭.

@Lumpythroat I’m sorry to hear about your mum, that must be awful.

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding I hope things turn out well for you

@Lumpythroat I'm really sorry about your mum 💐

I was out last night and I sort of had a good time, but I also sort of felt as if I wasn't really there. I find that annoying. (at least we know I'm better than I was in all the years I took medication, because then it would've completely freaked me out). Now it's more of an irritation. I guess getting older is helping.

i'm currently having that "bored but can't really do anything" that so often characterises winter. That's the free time aspect of it anyway. The stuff you have to do takes up so much energy! Pretty much zero plans for the weekend - going to see how I feel

Totally conflicting weather forecast for next week, which does really matter, as I always say - if you have to do all your errands by walking and you have to factor in any kind of commute, it's very annoying not to have an accurate weather forecast!

Thank you. Can't quite believe she's gone. She was my best friend. I long for bedtime when I can cuddle up with my hot water bottle and pretend it hasn't happened.

OMG will it ever stop raining? everywhere round us is flooded and every time the puppy goes into the garden, I have to wipe his paws and the floors. He likes to go out to watch the birds and I cant really not let him incase he needs the toilet 🙈.

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding I have this image of your dog, all tranquil while watching the birds, and you hovering on the doorstep thinking "hurry up and do your business already" 😂

Yeah, it's grim today.

It's so grey and grim today 😢. I'll be bed soon.

Haven't read all the messages for last few pages ,will do that in a second.
Ugh .so fed up with dark and rain
Family are all ill ,and I'm running round after everyone as per usual.
I'm just so looking forward to spring and getting back in nice dresses
The decs are up ,so that's something
Hope everyone is ok

Going to bed till spring...yes excellent,I feel the same

Hope this went well ❤️‍🩹

@EmeraldRoulette that’s basically it, although I must be sitting in the dining chair nearest the patio doors in order for him to go out. He’s basically training me at this point 😂🙈.

@Fukcedoff it seemed to, I just hope I don’t get fobbed off as seems to be typical.

It literally hasn’t stopped raining since Friday, this is ridiculous, I’d love to hear what the cost, hot chocolate brigade make of winter now the nostalgia for crunching around in autumn leaves has worn off 🙈.

Bit up and down here. Really just that the post flu fatigue and cough has been getting me down. I cancelled going out and instead have been binge watching various shows.

To be honest I haven't watched much TV in about ten years so am not feeling too guilty.

But have a horribly busy week at work which I know will affect my sleep.

To be honest I just cannot wait until Christmas as it means five days off. I have ADHD and I know I'm in a sort of 'waiting mode' where there's no point trying to start a new routine as it will only get disrupted anyway. I also reckon I've got another two weeks of this cough.

I've been eating better which has definitely helped, I think in the New Year I'm going to go full in with giving up sugar.

Sort of feel like my holiday good vibes have been totally wiped out by the flu which is annoying. But just going to plug on. Bring on 2026.

Vitamin D and SAD lamp tomorrow.

@PurpleSkies2026 yes flu will do that for sure

I'm thinking of giving up sugar as well. Though I use the term loosely. I mean the obvious stuff. I'm not going to give up fruit for example. Though I do know people who won't eat fruit because it's got natural sugars.

If I don't give that up, I definitely have to give up chocolate.

re "waiting mode" I think everybody feels that way about starting a new routine. And it's true that it's a bit pointless if you're gonna get interrupted.

Really dragging but brain is hyper and not working
Can't settle
very odd feeling

Definitely doing the same. Bed til spring please.

It's rubbish getting back on your feet post nasty flu things. This weather doesn't help either. We've touched on it before on the group thewaut mode but I really feel for you. I have a rubbish busy work week this week too and 2 work do's and I just don't know how to get through it. My body is literally waiting for ever meeting and call and event to be over. Hope ymthe cough sods off before Christmas

My brain feels similar what with work and then family constantly asking what to get the kids for Xmas and the kids really not making it easy this year. I need to get on and my head is swimming but I am struggling to (sleep and) function. Catch 22.

Wondering if I can use both my SAD lamps together without getting a migraine. Lol phone corrected that to Dad lamps.... Made me chuckle...

Stay dry everyone... 😭

Yep! Hibernate till Spring. I'm down, energyless and brain-fogged so may as well. I'll be more use when April comes

@EmeraldRoulette I know I’m banging on but I’m finding colouring is helping calm my racing mind sooooo much! Like it literally clears it and I’m not thinking of anything else! Here’s a couple from my new pole dancing colouring book, not because I think they’re any good but more to show that you don’t have to be good to enjoy it 😂.

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding thank you

They look good

I'm much better today

I did a long workout last night, but an easier one. I quite like a longer workout because actually it helps my brain if you know what I mean.

my mum's expressed concern that I'm not going out any night this week, but honestly, I don't want to. I haven't got the brain power to socialise, there's two things in the diary next week. I would like to enjoy the quiet till then. But you know what people are like with SAD, they seem to default to "it will do you good to go out" and I think she's concerned because I haven't got much to say.

often I find winter goes quicker if you stay at home and binge watch stuff 😂