Topic Tuesday // Strategies for coping during the holiday season // Tuesday 21st December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

[Former-Member]

Hey @Judi9877, so nice to see you here this evening  Please feel free to jump in to the discussion 🎄

[Judi9877]

Hi there @Former-Member @cloudcore @pisces_1 @BPDSurvivor @Fluttershy1 @Lani @MDT and all here. Sorry I'm late to the party! I was having an early evening snooze after doing Christmas shopping. 

I really struggle with the crowds of Christmas shopping and the need to be festive and in the Christmas spirit at times when people expect me to be. I do love Christmas; it's just that it's hard to be happy and festive all the time.

Judi9877

Judi9877

[Former-Member]

@BPDSurvivor you just brought a smile to my face, what an amazing achievment! Congratulations 👏 I bet that is the best Christmas present you could give to yourself.

[cloudcore]

@BPDSurvivor , that is quite the milestone- first year without formal supports! How are you feeling ahead of this period?

[BPDSurvivor]

In the past, I isolated myself. Over time, I slowly introduced events into my life during this time for which I would be accountable to attend. For example, last year I attended online DBT art therapy sessions on 24th, 25th & 26th Dec. This helped a lot. I didn't have to physically have people around me, but I still had virtual 'company'.

@Former-Member @pisces_1 @cloudcore @Fluttershy1 @MDT 

[Lani]

Thank you. I never knew it would be this difficult. My dad passed away October 2019 and that was hard but mum got me through it. Now I feel I have no one. Because no one can replace my mum. I have 2 grandchildren that I have to be happy for at Christmas, they are almost 4 yr old and a 17mth old. I just can't see how I'm going to look happy when inside I'm broken

[MDT]

Re: loneliness

I have found some very helpful tips and some good advice on some YouTube channels

There is one called Einzelganger

They are based on stoicism and eastern philosophy

[Lani]

My dr gave me some meds but I’m not to be on them for too long so I don’t take them

[MDT]

I agree @Judi9877

[Lani]

Thank you that would be wonderful