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

[BPDSurvivor]

@Former-Member @cloudcore ,

I've come so far in my recovery, that I can't even believe this is only the first year without an acute treating team seeing me through the festive season!

It's a great feeling!

But because of my past, I can absolutely reasonaye with those still finding the festive season challenging @Fluttershy1 @Judi9877 @Lani 

All I can say it that there is hope that won't be like that forever😉

[Lani]

Thank you

[Gwynn]

Hey @Lani, I'm so sorry for your loss. Does your older grandchild know your mum? Can you share a story about your mum to them? I'm sure you can tell them in simple words if they ask you why you're sad that you miss her.

[MDT]

Hey @Lani
I hope you find some solace. I do hope seeing your grand kids helps too.
I bet they love you to bits as well 🙂
Grandparents are awesome

[cloudcore]

Hi @Judi9877 , welcome to the discussion, I'm glad you could join us! I can relate to that struggle. The expectation that we must always be joyous and happy is really tough, especially now as I have learnt how important it is to honour and express my emotions/feelings, rather than fake them or keep them buried, as a way of coping. It makes it harder to be around others during this period for sure, I don't want to bum people out!

[pisces_1]

@Lani  if you are concerned about the meds then maybe check back in with your perscribing doctor.

[Former-Member]

@BPDSurvivor a bit of slow, social accountability is a great idea. It can be so easy to hide away but signing ourselves up for events, albiet even online ones in light of covid, is a great way to ensure that we're touching base with people and alleviating some of that loneliness we might be feeling.

[MDT]

@BPDSurvivor
Hope you are well

[Judi9877]

Hi @Former-Member and others. 
I'm okay with being alone as I'm a twin and am used to having the instant playmate around me when growing up as she was my only sibling. In some ways, I find that being alone allows me to do my own things like writing and knitting and listening to my own music that my housemate doesn't like.

On Christmas Day, I'll be spending most of the afternoon alone and I'm actually looking forward to it as I'm getting wool for Christmas as a present to myself and I plan on starting my own jumper. I'll be able to focus on it and have fun listening to Christmas music on my iPhone as well. I'll also check in on the Sane forums as well like I've often done in the past.

Judi9877☺️🎄

[BPDSurvivor]

@Lani , please don't think you always need to be 'happy'. Happiness all the time is a myth. It is not possible.

Grief is a natural process. Allow yourself to grieve. It doesn't make you a 'bad' or 'unworthy' person just because you are grieving.

Hugs,

BPDSurvivor