Will find the Christmas period tricky - what can I do?

[ChunkyKnitCardigan]

I am starting to really struggle with Christmas. For context: last Christmas was 3 months after my stbxh left me after an emotional affair. I spent it on my parents’ sofa dosed up on morphine, recovering from an operation I had to have after a car accident. It was all a bit of a blur and I don’t remember much.

This year feels like the first proper Christmas after my marriage broke down. I feel so alone, and all the festive stuff everywhere just highlights this. Love, families, children. I haven’t got any of this. The divorce is a struggle. The last Christmas we spent together was just us two. We had bought Christmas decorations, cooked a nice meal, just lazed about and went for a nice walk - the perfect day, and we decided that day to try for a baby. I miss this and him so much and don’t know how to replace it. I will be traveling to see family which will be nice, but I will be the only one without family there.

I don’t even know what I want from this. Has anyone got any tips what I could do to make me feel better?

Hopeful bump.

I'm so sorry. This time of year can be so hard.

All I can think of really is to spend as much time as you can with the people you love, and don't try and force the merriment. Can you maybe book a day out or weekend away over New Year or in Jan to have something to look forward to?

So sorry to hear you’ve been through such a tough time. The festive period can be difficult when everywhere we are confronted with this perfect picture of what Christmas should be. I think we create our own happiness though and should try to look forward to the future - it may sound cliched but you really never know what’s just around the corner.
I’m glad you are spending Christmas with family, this is surely better than being alone. Try and enjoy the little things (ie a nice tipple, some home comforts etc) and just see the day as an excuse to eat/drink lots with loved ones. I hope things improve for you and 2018 will bring you more happiness than before. All the best x

I'm so sorry to hear this and I'm in a similar ship of the S.S. Christmas Misery.

Focus on the fact that you have people to spend the time with, and as your family know what you've been through they will I'm sure be supportive.

Do you have any Christmas meets with friends in the run up? Work parties? You could take this opportunity to focus on yourself - nice outfit, hair cut, mani pedi or massage?

On the evil side () try and think how easy it can be not to be stressed out by Christmas as you only have to please yourself, and your wishes. And see it as closure of the year and a new beginning of fresh possibilities in 2018.

I sincerely wish you the nicest Christmas.

Sorry you've had such an awful time....you've really been through an ordeal.
Someone once told me gratitude is a good kick starter to happiness when you are feeling low/hopeless. How about trying to think of the things you do have in your life, like going to your families house for Xmas. Rather than seeing yourself as the only person there without someone, maybe see it as a lovely way to spend Xmas, being surrounded by people who love and care about you.
Maybe also start to plan out your days over the Xmas period so you can keep busy by seeing friends and family X

Thank you, everyone. I’m finding it so hard to keep positive at the moment. I have some nice friends and have things planned, or at least I try to plan but everyone is really busy. I do have a lot to be grateful for though so will focus on this.