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Anna223Casual Contributor
Hi people.
I am feeling so anxious and afraid of facing another Christmas without my children. I don’t know how to get through another year. Also nye, I isolate myself due to the stigma and emotional pain of missing my kids.
I feel so lonely and and also tired of it all. Its just unbearable. I need lots of support at this time and I don’t know how to find it.
Thanks
In response to: Facing Christmas and nye alone
BobPSenior Contributor
Hi, Forum Members, I have no children nor family to share Christmas with. It hurts being lonely during the festive season. My mum passed away when I was 14 and dad had shot through four years before. I stole 14 penny's (about 6 cents), sat down in a gutter and cried my eyes out, I was hopelessly lost. I prayed to God for help.
My kindly Grandparents took me in and gave me much needed comfort. Now, 76 years later, I often revisit Grandparents kindness and love.
I do modelling balloons for the kids at Christmas to cheer they up and to make them happy.
My Christmas solution,
BobP
In response to: Re: Facing Christmas and nye alone
Unknown userMember
Welcome @Anna223 and @BobP
Thank you or sharing a bit about yourselves and your experiences. Christmas can be a very tough time.
@Anna223 I'm sorry to hear that you don't know where to find support. Have you tried reaching out to any helplines around this time? SANE's drop in line is closed from Dec 24 to Jan 3, but Lifeline and the Samaritans remain open throughout the year:
Lifeline: 131 114
The Samaritans: 135 247
Also, there is a lot of support to be found here on the Forums - you are not alone in finding Christmas challenging.
@BobP that sounds like a great solution to connect with others through balloon models 🙂 It's great that you can still revisit that love from your grandparents.
You both might like to post in our "Introduce yourself here" thread. There is also "share a cuppa", where members can drop in to have a chat and "Good morning" where you can also connect socially.
Welcome once again @Anna223 and @BobP, please keep posting 🙂
In response to: Facing Christmas and nye alone
Judi9877Senior Contributor
Hi @Anna223 @BobP and welcome to the forums. It’s great to meet each of you! I’m a Community Guide here who has lived experience of mental illness and I also struggle a bit at Christmas time as well because of family issues, namely my father being non - existent in my life because of alcoholism and my mother having died 20 years ago. I’ve got my sister but she’s working and I’ve got my housemate around but I’ll be most likely having Christmas Day mostly to myself. My mother used to really make Christmas Day special for us with her Apple pie and Christmas food like ham, pork and salads but she’s been gone for so long- since I was 25 - d as I it’s harder now and I don’t have any children to give presents to either. I do know the Sane forums usually run a Christmas drop in area on the forums which I’ve been part of over the years with myself or other Community Guides and forum members taking part and just chatting online throughout the day so I’ll try and look the discussion posts up and get back to you about them so you can maybe drop in throughout the day if you choose to. I’ll tag @Shaz51 as they might have ideas as well along with @Former-Member @tyme @hanami @FloatingFeather @maddison @Former-Member @Peregrinefalcon @amber22 for some ideas.
Take care!
Judi9877☺️🌻
In response to: Re: Facing Christmas and nye alone
maddisonSenior Contributor
Hello @Judi9877 @Anna223 @Former-Member @BobP
@Judi9877 yes! We need a Christmas thread for everyone, I think? New members & old. Thankyou for tagging me. You are doing such a wonderful job supporting everyone. I have been keeping up with all your recent posts, even though I haven't interacted. Your efforts & positivity are really helping me to get motivated & back amongst the forums, that I love being a part of.
@Former-Member thankyou for the info about helplines that will be open over the holidays💜 & links.
@BobP @Anna223 hello 😊 my situation is similar to others spoken about here too. I will likely spend Christmas here at home. My friend who I live with might be here too - things are very strained between us recently. Previous years I have made the day special with decorations, presents & roast meal. This year there is little to celebrate & it is difficult & makes me sad.
This year I think I might be relieved when the silly season is finally over!
@Anna223 I hear you when you say you need lots of support. Well done in reaching out & voicing what you are going through.
These forums can be a little tricky to begin with - at least that is how I felt. Being new can feel uncertain? Everyone here is very nice! All of the links that @Former-Member mentioned are great places to look around & say hello & learn & chat with other members.
@Anna223 @BobP it might feel strange at first to join in conversations - the regular members are kind & welcoming. I think the Good Morning thread seems to be the one that people will catch up with each on a daily basis. There are many threads to chat with others.
Maybe this thread could be interesting to you?
I don't think you are alone😊💜 lots of people find Christmas a very difficult time of year.
@Anna223 I don't have children. Do you want to share more about why you are separated?
You can post here, or maybe if you feel more comfortable talking with other parents, there is The Virtual Village
maddison
In response to: Re: Facing Christmas and nye alone
Shaz51Senior Contributor
Christmas/New Year thread is here and ready @BobP , @Judi9877 , @maddison , @Anna223 , @Former-Member
In response to: Re: Facing Christmas and nye alone
PippijanetCasual Contributor
I am facing Christmas without my family. I so understand. I left my abusive marriage and my adult children do not want anything to do with me. I have grandchildren I am not allowed to meet. My ex will lie to be the victim. Christmas is difficult alone.
In response to: Re: Facing Christmas and nye alone
tymeModerator
Hey @Pippijanet ,
Im sorry to hear how tough things are. You are not alone in what you are feeling over Christmas. As 'joyous' as it can be for some, it is also a very difficult period for others.
During Christmas, the forums are available.
There is also an online Art group (not affiliated with SANE) if you are interested https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/holiday-hearts-a-peer-led-place-to-make-art-during-the-holidays-tickets-452813265667
However, if you do join this art group, it is important that your anonymity is not compromised. e.g. stating you are from the SANE forums, stating your username, etc.
You can read more about our anonymity guideline here: https://saneforums.org/t5/help/faqpage/title/anonymity
Wish you the best.
Once again, welcome to the forums and I looked forward to connecting with you further.
In response to: Re: Facing Christmas and nye alone
BobPSenior Contributor
My wife, after 8 years of marriage, is in an aged care facility and has dementia and incapacity, and sadly does not know who I am.
I wanted to celebrate Christmas with all the trimmings, but my new friend doesn't do Christmas because her religion doesn't recognize it. Consequently, I'll be out on a limb -
I can always go fishing. 🙂
Best wishes
BobP
In response to: Re: Facing Christmas and nye alone
BobPSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Facing Christmas and nye alone
PippijanetCasual Contributor
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
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.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
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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