Dreading Xmas and Winter

[Blockster]

In light of all the pro Halloween/Bonfire Night/Christmas threads, is their anyone dreading it like I am?
The thought of dark nights, cold weather and Christmas fills me with horror.
Perhaps it's because we had a poor summer it felt like it went so quick and here we are again. The cosy thing people talk about makes me feel claustrophobic. Maybe it's also because I've lost so many loved ones this time of year, especially Xmas exaggerates that loss.
Anyway sorry to be a moaner but misery does love company after all, feel free to tell me off.

 

[zoominmoom]

I know what you mean. I'm quite enjoying autumn at the moment because I basically live in a greenhouse so that last week of heat at the end of summer almost killed me off, but I'm not looking forward to when the clocks go back because I know that's when I start to feel bad. I've always had a weird sort of impending doom feeling in the darker months and it got worse when something bad happened over the winter a few years back. The thought of winter just fills me with dread because I know how anxiety inducing it can be.

I have no advice for you, but you're not alone. I try to find a few things to look forward to from now until December, then once it's January it feels like spring is on the horizon, even if it's still months away - psychologically being in the new year makes it seems like winter's on its way out! When the clocks go forward in the spring I feel so much better it's almost a spiritual experience for me From now until March time I'm basically on springwatch!

I'm sure there's loads of us who feel the same so maybe we can keep a thread going to try and keep our spirits up over the next few months.

 

[ElChanguito]

Yeah, same, it’s very claustrophobic from now till march, I hate it!

 

[Blockster]

The impending sense of doom I can really relate to and how the darkness brings on anxiety. I get that.
Winter is never crisp, cold days where you can wrap up and get out, it's mostly grey and damp, or grey and raining. It feels relentless.
I will try and find things to look forward to and take the edge of it, plus I agree we should use this thread as a bit of support till the lighter days return.

 

[pinkypurr]

I feel a bit anxious in winter, the worst was winter lockdown which i found extremely isolating and depressing.
Things i am going to do this winter to keep myself happier - walk or gym during daylight hours, reading, self care e.g. home beauty treatments on dark evenings. Taking vitamin D, making sure i play some soft background music while working so i am not in the dark and alone!
I think the cost of living crisis has added to everyone's anxiety. I have just bought some new Pjs with an m&s code and the £5 i won during the sparks month. this means i can keep warmer and more comfortable

I really empathise with you Blockster. Christmas especially always makes me miss my Grandad in particular and I get very tearful a lot.

 

[Cosmicquestions]

I know what you mean, I don't always love winter and I get anxious about crazy weather these days.
It's helped in the past to remind myself that the snowdrops come out the second/third week of Feb and that doesn't seem quite so far away as spring proper. It gives me a bit of a lift, even if it is still cold and dark most of the time! You can think of all the growth and preparation happening under the ground as well if that is your thing.
I do less and less festive specific socialising as well and I don't feel any worse for it tbh but I think that's a personal choice. It might give someone else a boost.
I'm trying to find a class in the evenings I can go too - gives a bit more light in the gloom. I do weight classes twice a week after work which I wasn't last winter so that will hopefully help but would like to learn something as well. Also looking out decent winter clothes so that I can actually go outside easily without it feeling too much like a mission.
It is definitely anxiety inducing though and that can override plans. Is a holiday doable?!

 

[JodieGreen123]

Yes; dark nights and cold and wet weather fill me with horror too. I hate how social media glamourises being cosy at this time of year. I know it’s not an option for a lot of people but I usually book a beach holiday for early March so I have something to look forward to.

 

[Rosie glow]

I'm not looking forward to the cold our house is absolutely freezing from September to May I hate it and never seems to get warm it makes me so miserable
Also hate the icy weather I have osteoarthritis in both knees and having to go out in the bad weather actually gives me the fear if I slipped over I would be knackered as I wouldn't beable to get up again and would definitely do some damage to them

 

[Blockster]

Let's try and make this space for us who are finding life that bit difficult these coming months.
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I'm not looking forward to the cold our house is absolutely freezing from September to May I hate it and never seems to get warm it makes me so miserable
Also hate the icy weather I have osteoarthritis in both knees and having to go out in the bad weather actually gives me the fear if I slipped over I would be knackered as I wouldn't beable to get up again and would definitely do some damage to them

Sorry to hear about your knees, my husband has that in his hip and I know how painful it can be. Yes cold houses are not nice, my mums house is very cold, I don't like visiting as it's so uncomfortable.

 

[allthingschocolate]

Yep I’m with you on this! I’m also not a fan of Christmas and dread it all! I have negative memories of this time of year and now don’t enjoy it I Just wish I could sleep through it and it all be over I also have to co parent with the ex over the Christmas period so it feels even more lonely at this time of the year when she’s gone I also don’t like going to work/coming home in the dark! I have recently taken up walking to get fit but I know that won’t be doable outside when it gets colder and it starts to get icy

 

[Blockster]

So here we are, first day of early darkness. I hung some fairy lights in the lounge to bring some light in. Popped out to tesco earlier and it was pouring down, no chance of daily walks, does anyone else struggle with the rain and wearing glasses? My mind Is thinking in less than 2 months it will be the shortest day and light will return.

 

[Cosmicquestions]

no chance of daily walks, does anyone else struggle with the rain and wearing glasses? My mind Is thinking in less than 2 months it will be the shortest day and light will return.

Yes! Going for a contact lens fitting for that reason… unlikely to wear them all the time but it would be good to have an option on a rainy day

 

[JodieGreen123]

If you can wear them, defo try contacts for going out in the rain.

 

[Eirawen]

That's how

Yes! Going for a contact lens fitting for that reason… unlikely to wear them all the time but it would be good to have an option on a rainy day

That's how I try to think of it makes it more bearable.

 

[Sniffing Eggs]

Seeing all the Christmas stuff in the stores already, no idea why, but this year is giving me the rage.
Maybe it's an age thing, but I'm finding myself getting more and more annoyed at the commercialisation of everything.

And then it gets cold, rain and then ice. It's just crap

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

Seeing all the Christmas stuff in the stores already, no idea why, but this year is giving me the rage.
Maybe it's an age thing, but I'm finding myself getting more and more annoyed at the commercialisation of everything.

And then it gets cold, rain and then ice. It's just crap

It is all the plastic tit that will be put straight in the bin. Things like crap model aeroplanes, battery powered plastic twirling pot noodle forks, anything that involves a plastic willy. Nobody wants this stuff at all. Christmas creates enough rubbish as it is, without adding a plastic mountain on top.


I have found the last few weeks hard. I work from home. My manager has changed everyone's shifts making it very difficult to do anything social. I have friends on the same team and we can't even go out for tea as we don't have a free evening at the same time anymore.

I feel like I don't see anyone anymore. I am working late tonight. So will be spending half my shift working in a room by myself, in the dark.

I have been trying to get out. Normally taking walks and getting natural light helps me. It has been raining so much that I can't get out without being soaked.

I am still trying to go to the gym and my classes but it is hard as I am so tired all the time. I sleep 8 hours and I am still tired. If I don't exercise I feel worse so resting doesn't help.

 

[Saddlesoap]

Definitely start taking vitamin d.
I use a SAD lamp daily too.

 

[Blockster]

It is all the plastic tit that will be put straight in the bin. Things like crap model aeroplanes, battery powered plastic twirling pot noodle forks, anything that involves a plastic willy. Nobody wants this stuff at all. Christmas creates enough rubbish as it is, without adding a plastic mountain on top.


I have found the last few weeks hard. I work from home. My manager has changed everyone's shifts making it very difficult to do anything social. I have friends on the same team and we can't even go out for tea as we don't have a free evening at the same time anymore.

I feel like I don't see anyone anymore. I am working late tonight. So will be spending half my shift working in a room by myself, in the dark.

I have been trying to get out. Normally taking walks and getting natural light helps me. It has been raining so much that I can't get out without being soaked.

I am still trying to go to the gym and my classes but it is hard as I am so tired all the time. I sleep 8 hours and I am still tired. If I don't exercise I feel worse so resting doesn't help.

I take Vitamin D I have done for years, not sure it helps with moods but definitely helps with keeping viruses at bay which is one less thing to have to deal with.
But that sounds rough, winter is very isolating at the best of times and not being able to see anyone is not good.
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Seeing all the Christmas stuff in the stores already, no idea why, but this year is giving me the rage.
Maybe it's an age thing, but I'm finding myself getting more and more annoyed at the commercialisation of everything.

And then it gets cold, rain and then ice. It's just crap

It's making me cross too, it will be in the shops in August soon. Thankfully I haven't heard a Xmas song, yet

 

[RaveChampion]

Christmas gives me the creeps. Always has since I was about 12 and realised how overblown and overhyped it all was.
That was in the 80's when Christmas celebrating was far more laid back. Now it's ridiculous.
I'm not a grinch and buy presents and cards and stuff and socialise but I think I'm allergic to it.
It's jinxed also for me in many ways-someone/me gets ill/some domestic disaster happens/a pet dies etc. I'm happy when it's passed me by unscathed tbh.
I've voluntarily spent christmas on my own quite a few times. I intend to do it this year. Then of course you put the telly on and it's all "you shouldn't be alone at Christmas". Don't tell me what to do or how I should be feeling thanks.
I totally get it if you're religious, have children under 12 or a scattered family joining up together but it's a definite no from me.
I've no problem with new year. That one makes sense to me.

 

[yogiessexdubs]

Christmas gives me the creeps. Always has since I was about 12 and realised how overblown and overhyped it all was.
That was in the 80's when Christmas celebrating was far more laid back. Now it's ridiculous.
I'm not a grinch and buy presents and cards and stuff and socialise but I think I'm allergic to it.
It's jinxed also for me in many ways-someone/me gets ill/some domestic disaster happens/a pet dies etc. I'm happy when it's passed me by unscathed tbh.
I've voluntarily spent christmas on my own quite a few times. I intend to do it this year. Then of course you put the telly on and it's all "you shouldn't be alone at Christmas". Don't tell me what to do or how I should be feeling thanks.
I totally get it if you're religious, have children under 12 or a scattered family joining up together but it's a definite no from me.
I've no problem with new year. That one makes sense to me.

I’m also spending it alone, it’s one day .. & I quite like the idea of hibernating for the day.