Anyone else struggle around Christmas time?

[KayleighMeek]

So does anyone physically and emotionally?

I always get so overwhelmed at Christmas that I stuggle with my mental health and because of this it upsets my stomach.
I love Christmas but its just to much for me to deal with sometimes, I won't go into the details.
I don't really talk to anyone or open up so its a good thing for me to be able to post here and get some of it off my chest.

If anyone has any coping strategies it would be good to hear them.
Thanks all x

 

[Jennifer]

If you had to spend time with my family then you'd be stressed out too. If I were around normal people, I don't think it would be so bad. I might actually enjoy it.

 

[kh216]

I agree with you. Right now my stomach is bothering me from all the Christmas stress. My family expects me to have Christmas dinner at my house even though my house is too small. I begged my company to get Christmas Eve off but they absolutely refused because I do not have seniority. Work has been busy and stressful lately. I am doing a training class on Saturday mornings for a volunteer activity. I signed up for it back on September but the trainer waited until the end of November and December to run the classes. Next week is the last class and I wanted to get out of it but it is turning out to be the most important week of the class. My daughter is taking her time coming home from college because she would rather be partying than helping me. At least my husband and son are helping.

I am also upset about the poor families in Connecticut who lost their loved ones in that horrible school shooting. What kind of Christmas are they going to have? My heart goes out to them.

 

[KayleighMeek]

It is awful seeing the news about all those poor children and teachers, I dont understand how people can be so cruel. It gave me goose bumps all over and made me feel sick it's just horrible.

 

[funnybunny]

Those poor little kiddies

Yes, I struggle around Christmas. Especially on the day because I'm expected to eat potato and sugary desert. **sigh**

 

[GutlessWonder86]

My heart goes out to those families who've lost a loved one in the shooting. I was sad to hear about the little ones who've died as well.

I have reduced my stress by staying home this year with hubby and my hound. I'm not going to my parents home as they never come here or call. They always expect me to do it all but I've decided to take care of myself for once and put MY FAMILY FIRST.

I've been dealing with 2 DVTS, a small clot on the brain, very bad migraines that are being treated with Botox injections every 12 weeks, and I was in a car accident last week which shook me up quite a bit and had me in tears. I'm fine now. Just thankful the seatbelt and side air bag worked.

My hematologist wants me to stay off my feet for as much as possible until March but she realizes that I have to take Bailey Grace outside, feed my husband, and do housework so she's allowed me 3 hours a day to do what I have to do.

I'm very blessed to have a wonderful husband, MIL, grandmother-in-law, his siblings, and friends who always call to check up on me or stop by. They don't expect me to wear myself out as they want me to get better. :kiss:

 

[funnybunny]

sorry to hear about your struggles GuttlessWonder. I hope you have a nice Christmas.
That goes to everyone here. Stay positive, and don't let Christmas stress you out.

If you can't go out shopping or get stressed deciding what to buy like me (I'm totally allergic to shopping centers haha), try online shopping.

 

[UnXmas]

I hate Christmas. I find the nostalgia hard to handle - Christmas was always a great time when I was a child and had a happy life. Now my life is much more difficult, and the reminders of "when I was normal and happy" that come with Christmas make me sad.

I also dislike how there's an expectation to be happy. I find that when there are things fundamentally wrong, things like Christmas presents and nice food aren't going to make you feel better. It's only when everything in your life is already ok that you can take pleasure in more superficial things. Pretending I'm cheeful because someone just handed me a present to open makes me feel awkward and fake.

I just try to avoid as much of the celebrations as I can.

 

[scottsma]

I've seen your UNXMAS avatar around the forum,and I did wonder about it.This time of year is anything but a happy time for countless people.My hubby and I haven't "done" xmas for 12yrs,since our son emigrated.Don't buy presents,or special food or drink,don't have a tree or decs up.I send a few cards to friends and family I don't see often,but that is my only concession.We go for a hike on xmas morning with the dog,have a pic-nic and come home to an easy lunch and uncluttered home.I do get sad,thinking of happy Xmas's past,but there are children in this world,Britain included,who don't even know it's xmas.We're not miserable scrooges,quite the opposite,but how can any-one justify the stress and expence for ONE day ???

 

[UnXmas]

I've seen your UNXMAS avatar around the forum,and I did wonder about it.This time of year is anything but a happy time for countless people.My hubby and I haven't "done" xmas for 12yrs,since our son emigrated.Don't buy presents,or special food or drink,don't have a tree or decs up.I send a few cards to friends and family I don't see often,but that is my only concession.We go for a hike on xmas morning with the dog,have a pic-nic and come home to an easy lunch and uncluttered home.I do get sad,thinking of happy Xmas's past,but there are children in this world,Britain included,who don't even know it's xmas.We're not miserable scrooges,quite the opposite,but how can any-one justify the stress and expence for ONE day ???

Snow is one thing I do like, so I chose a snowflake avatar. I do prefer the cold weather, and winter is my favourite season in that respect.

I think it's great that you engage in minimal celebrations if that's what you want to do - your Christmas day sounds very peaceful. There's no point in holding big feasts and festivities if you don't enjoy them.

 

[Susan2]

Lots of "normal" people (the ones without Crohn's, that is :wink find Christmas to be a very difficult time for various reasons.

I have Christmas with my sister. That's all the family I have nearby and, although I am invited to go to friends, my sister prefers it to be just us (and the two dogs). We have a simple lunch - different every year. This time it's my sister's turn to choose and she has requested fish and some sort of lemony dessert (I do the cooking). One of the nicest Christmases that we have had was taking a picnic to Melbourne Zoo - it opens every Christmas Day, but none of the food outlets are open, so it is full of families, large and small, picnicing in the grounds.

I always miss my husband terribly at times like this.(He died in 1988.)

 

[scottsma]

I have just read in the daily newspaper,that some people are going into £700 of debt to celebrate Christmas.These are people on low income and struggling to pay heating and other bills.How silly is that? They spend a fortune on food and alcohol,then say,"we wouldn't bother if it wasn't for the kids" The country's in recession,but that's ok.Buy now and worry later,and there will be plenty of that on Boxing Day.