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

Unknown userMember

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

Hi there SANE Forums Community,

This fortnight we invite you to join in a discussion about strategies for coping during the holiday season. As we near the end of what has a been a particularly difficult year, many of us will will be looking forward to festive celebrations and rejoicing in farewelling 2021. There will also be many of us for whom the holiday season may be a particularly trying time, stirring up emotions such as loneliness and isolation, grief and sadness.

With many support services closed for the holidays, this makes accessing support tricky, which is why our next Topic Tuesday will be dedicated to a discussion on strategies for coping during the silly season. We'll be joined by a SANE counsellor who will be sharing their tips for coping with all the difficulties that may arise for members of the forums during this period.

We all bring our own experience with us to the holiday season, so we will look forward to hearing from the community about your experiences and strategies for coping with some of the obstacles during the Christmas and New Years period.

Join us in exploring strategies around:

  • Isolation
  • Navigating family tensions
  • Grief and bereavement
  • Service closures
  • Where to seek help

Please join the discussion here on Tuesday the 21st of December 2021 from 7:00pm-8:30pm AEDT to follow this conversation.

Want to know what time this event starts in your time zone? Check out the picture below:


Want to receive a reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below and we will tag you 30 minutes before the event starts.

New to the forums or want to get involved in this discussion? Check out the How To Guide for Topic Tuesdays.


124 replies

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

BPDSurvivorSenior Contributor

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

Thanks for those ideas @pisces_1 . During this holiday period, I'll be travelling interstate and I'm not looking forward to seeing some of my extended family members. It just brings a lot of anxiety. But because I haven't seen them in 3 years, I really need to sit with the unpleasantness.

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

LaniSenior Contributor

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

Great advice thank you

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

LaniSenior Contributor

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

Thank you so much for your understanding and kindness in this difficult time for me. I really appreciate it, thank you

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

Unknown userMember

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

@BPDSurvivor I can really understand that would bring up quite a bit of anxiety for you. It is quite the skill, this learning to sit with the unpleasentness, isn't it? Do you have any strategies you use for sitting with hard feelings like the ones you've described? I try to use breathing and grounding techniques in situations like this. It doesn't always work, but I can say it certainly never hurts to try!

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

cloudcoreSenior Contributor

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

@MDT meditation is a good one for managing loneliness for me too, but I always have to use a guided audio to keep my mind from wandering off. Do you use those?

I hear you on the lost time and youth as a result of covid too

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

LaniSenior Contributor

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

I journal a lot to mum. I also see white butterflies in my garden. 2 of them and I know one is mum and 1 is dad. They are there to let me know they are ok. And I some times talk to mum to and tell her I’m sorry.

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

Unknown userMember

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

And for our last question tonight …

Question 6: @pisces_1 what supports are available over the Christmas period?

Question for our community: What supports have you used in the past during the festive season that have been helpful for you?

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

Shaz51Senior Contributor

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

Hello @Former-Member @cloudcore , @pisces_1 , looks like I amm a bit late , sorry

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

pisces_1Contributor

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

@BPDSurvivor It is so hard to sit with unpleasant anxious feelings. I wonder whilst you sit with these feeling it might become clearer as to why you are feeling the feels. I also wonder maybe whilst you are with your family to try and live in the moment and remember you have the choice to :

  1. Put a limit on the time so you know that there is an end to the situation. This enables you to be in control of the timeframe.
  2. you have the choice to leave the event if needed

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

cloudcoreSenior Contributor

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

Hi @Shaz51 , that's okay! We have a few minutes left I'm wondering what this holiday season looks like for you?

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Aboriginal flag
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SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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