FORUMS

Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

  • 47,612Members
  • 1,358,869Posts
  • 1,400,000Visitors
Something’s not right

Winter solstice

Winter solstice

Longest night of the year and the darkness and coldness have really hit. Things seem really bleak. I've been struggling for a long time and was pacing myself to this point but can't see beyond it. I'm safe but despairing. I'm trapped in a vortex of family dysfunction from earliest years and emotional pain, received and (mea culpa) inflicted. I can't help my closest sibling - all others are estranged - and I don't seem able to extricate myself from personal difficulties and dilemmas that at present ďefine me - I have no connections or other identity. I've lost faith in my mh team.

I guess the sun will rise tomorrow, and I'll keep taking one day at a time, but I can't envision a future, my future.

1445 replies

881 - 890 of 1,445

In response to: Winter solstice

Re: Winter solstice

Feeling a bit trapped @AuntGlow .Weighed down by problems, and my own ineptitude and indecision in dealing with them.

Learned yesterday of another health condition.

I feel simultaneously victim, persecutor and rescuer in a family drama and there seems no way out.

I'll try to refind my to-do lists and sketchy daily planners, to get back on track.

Hopefully I'll start moving forwards again soon.

In response to: Re: Winter solstice

Re: Winter solstice

Oh gosh, this sounds like a lot @Dimity. I would feel really overwhelmed too...

You're not inept at all, I can see how hard you try to manage so many things all the time. 🫶

I know you have strategies to turn to, but it sounds like you're needing some softness and compassion too? Is there a way you could turn to some self-nurturing right now? Or is there anything we can do for you at the moment? Let me know. 🥰

In response to: Re: Winter solstice

Re: Winter solstice

So sorry you've had another health condition diagnosed, @Dimity 😥

Also for your complex position in your family dynamics 😥

Sending hugs 🫂

In response to: Re: Winter solstice

Re: Winter solstice

Thanks @AuntGlow @NatureLover

Last night the cat sat on my lap for a while. A small thing but comforting.

I guess I haven't known how to nurture myself or others. That's a big failing.

I'm processing today's psychology session. It was a wakeup call, and she shouted at me to get her point across.

In response to: Re: Winter solstice

Re: Winter solstice

I'm shocked that your psychologist shouted at you, @Dimity . How did / do you feel about that?

In response to: Re: Winter solstice

Re: Winter solstice

Pets can be so comforting, can't they? @Dimity 🥰

In a way, your fur baby is teaching you what nurturing can be like - presence, closeness, comfort through safety?

You haven't failed at all. I believe you know how to nurture - I see you do it here. ☺️

Oh wow, that must have been quite overwhelming... I will be here on Sunday, if you'd like to talk more about it then? 💛

In response to: Re: Winter solstice

Re: Winter solstice

Thanks @AuntGlow . That's very reassuring.

@NatureLover being shouted at shook me. It did shift my thinking, which was what she wanted. I'd been pursuing a well-worn track. It was confronting and indicates I'm facing some very hard work.

I'm still discombobulated. My fragile routine has crumbled again and I'm not even eating properly. It had happened anyway, pre-dating the session. One of my assessments showed how much I'm struggling, and I haven't heard the results of the other one yet. I'll try to get my sleep back on track, and chip away at other things.

In response to: Re: Winter solstice

Re: Winter solstice

Being shouted at would shake me too, @Dimity 😥

I'm not sure of the wisdom of shouting at a fragile person 😣

Sorry you're having trouble eating. I hope your sleep improves too 🤞

In response to: Re: Winter solstice

Re: Winter solstice

@NatureLover I'm eating but not cooking proper meals, and probably eating the wrong things when I'm usually more careful.

The family dynamic has changed again and it's quite stressful. I don't know what to expect. Probably emotional outbursts and increased financial pressure.

I wonder if shouting seemed the only way to get through to me. I'm fearful of criticism and anger, perhaps isolating has been a way of avoiding it.

In response to: Re: Winter solstice

Re: Winter solstice

I'm fearful of criticism and anger towards me too, @Dimity . Not sure I'd take it too well if my psychologist shouted at me.

That might be good insight that isolating avoids criticism and anger. For me too, if I think about it.

I'm sorry your family are yet again putting massive pressure on you 😥

I'm glad to hear you're eating.

881 - 890 of 1,445