11/12/24- Christmas Support Thread

ella

Hey Everyone, welcome to our very first Christmas Support Thread

Here are some things you might want to bring to the space:

Feelings: Share how you're feeling about Christmas.
Worries: Discuss any specific challenges you're going through (including but not limited to, neurodivergence, family dynamics, money struggles, worries around food at Christmas time, loneliness at Christmas etc.)
Hopes: Talk about what you're looking forward to this festive season.
Peer Support: If you're feeling up to it, we also invite you to come along and offer support to others.


This space will run from 6:30-8pm today.

Looking forward to chatting today, I hope you find this space helpful.

eylah

hey ella and everyone ❤️

ella

Hey @eylah, so nice to see you!

How are you doing today?

Maia

Hey everyone!

ella

Heey Maia!

eylah

hey im feeling very rubbish tbh bc its my birthday tmr and bc christmas is coming up and im going to be alone and have noone so im going to be very lonely and im just scared abt that rly how are you? ❤️

TheNightmare

Hey @Maia and @ella

ella

@eylah I'm really sorry to hear you feel to feel rubbish about your birthday tomorrow and you're not feeling good about Christmas either. It's tough when those times, meant to be filled with joy, bring up feelings of isolation instead. I know that you're not alone in feeling this way, and it's okay to feel scared and anxious about it.

Maybe we could chat more about what's making you feel this way?

eylah

hey @Maia didnt see you pop in! hey

ella

Hey @TheNightmare - how are you today?

eylah

@ella thankyou 🫶🏻 its bc normally ( previous years ) i used to spend christmas with my sister mum & dad but this year its just me in my own flat. bc mum passed away in september bc of dad being abusive social services moved me into my own place bc of him and for my safety and my sister is with her bf this year so i have noone to go to. which is making me sad bc i do like my own space but knowing ppl ( not everyone) are with family etc i have nobody and its just making me feel rly sad and lonely. ☹️❤️

TheNightmare

ella wrote: »

Hey @TheNightmare - how are you today?

@ella
Im not too bad thanks, you? Just trying to get into work and overwhelmed with it, it's been really stressful. My work programme are on about doing some volunteering just for some experiance just for a suggestion. Also I went out to get an Indian and got lost and kept going the wrong way and keep overthinking it. I know this is about Christmas but I keep overthinking it.

Maia

Hey Eylah,

I'm really sorry to hear that you're feeling this way I know birthdays and Christmas can be super hard, especially when you feel like you’ll be alone during those times I can totally hear why you might be feeling scared and lonely about that. I honestly wish I could say something to make it better but I know words probably aren't very helpful for you right now. For what it's worth, someone will always be around on The Mix and you're not going to be alone with these big feelings. Sending you lots of hugs

Have you thought about anything you could do for yourself on Christmas or your birthday, even if it’s just something small to take your mind off things? Maybe a little self-care, a distraction, or something that could bring you some comfort? Do you have a friend you could visit or chat with, or even a plan to treat yourself to something you enjoy? I haven't seen any of your lovely digital art for a while so maybe you could even do some of that if you feel like it?

You deserve to feel supported, especially during this tough time of year. Sending you so much strength right now & always

Maia

Hey @TheNightmare ! Great to have you join us

Rose113

Hi

eylah

sry @Maia @ella just got in and making dinner ill reply assp sry ❤️

Maia

Hey @Rose113 ! It's lovely to have you join us tonight That's a sad looking emoji Would you like to share what's happening for you right now?

TheNightmare

Maia wrote: »

Hey @TheNightmare ! Great to have you join us

@Maia thanks so much for inviting me and your reply before too you're such an amazing mod just like everyone is here.

Rose113

@Maia everything happening

Rose113

How did Maia heart her own post :O that’s cool

Maia

@Maia thanks so much for inviting me and your reply before too you're such an amazing mod just like everyone is here.

You're very welcome @TheNightmare . We are glad you could make it! I know the work search has been really tough on you so you deserve spaces like this where you can reach out for support with everything on your mind at this time of year.

Also I went out to get an Indian and got lost and kept going the wrong way and keep overthinking it. I know this is about Christmas but I keep overthinking it.

This sounds like it was stressful! I'm really bad with directions and often get lost so I know how overwhelming this can feel Would you like to share what you're over thinking about?

ella

@eylah I'm really hearing how resilient you've needed to be over this past year- you must be feeling really exhausted. There's no wonder you are feeling not so excited for your birthday or Christmas- I think that's really normal after everything you've been through

Perhaps you could celebrate your birthday in a way that feels special to you. It might be helpful to acknowledge the significance of this first birthday without your mum and allow yourself to feel your emotions. These first moments and events can be tough after someone close to you passes away, but it's important to feel them properly. I am so sorry you lost your mum, Eylah. I can hear how much of an important role she played in your life for you.

Would it be helpful to chat about a plan for tomorrow?

Maia

Rose113 wrote: »

@Maia everything happening

Life is lifing for you right now, huh? Would you like to share whats happening? I know you're dealing with a lot Rose and that must be especially hard at this time of year?

How did Maia heart her own post :O that’s cool

also hahahah. I didn't even notice

Rose113

@Maia also thank you for replying to my thread
Everything is just nasty and yucky at the moment it’s been a hard day too and Emma kept mentioning talking to mum but I wouldn’t let her

ella

Hey @Rose113 - so nice to see you this evening

I'm sorry things aren't feeling so good tonight.

Maybe we could chat more about what's making you feel so overwhelmed at the minute?

Rose113

Hey @ella

It’s just everything and Emma won’t let me drop out of college and she certainly won’t after today

kaii

Hello everyone!

Christmas doesn't really feel like Christmas this year to me - I felt the same way last year, maybe my feelings about it might change later on in the month, but that's how it feels to me at the moment.

I'm worried about failing my psych exams in January, I find this period especially difficult to get some revision done, I want to rest but at the same time I want to do well in my exams which means revising every day.

As for what I'm looking forward to, I'm excited to have delicious meals with family soon and to just be chilling at home playing on my piano and watching Christmas movies

I hope everyone's doing okay, and keep us updated on how you're feeling

TheNightmare

Maia wrote: »

@Maia thanks so much for inviting me and your reply before too you're such an amazing mod just like everyone is here.

You're very welcome @TheNightmare . We are glad you could make it! I know the work search has been really tough on you so you deserve spaces like this where you can reach out for support with everything on your mind at this time of year.

Also I went out to get an Indian and got lost and kept going the wrong way and keep overthinking it. I know this is about Christmas but I keep overthinking it.

This sounds like it was stressful! I'm really bad with directions and often get lost so I know how overwhelming this can feel Would you like to share what you're over thinking about?

@Maia I hope you're all good too. Im overwhelmed with my work situation too , it's been really stressful. Might be looking at volunteering placements just for some experiance. I dont like the words volunteering because it reminds me of the tears ill get when I dont get paid. Im very worried about my future I prefer to call them placements. I should be ok especially with a bit of experience do you think? Yh I was following apple maps I think and kept missing my exits I feel a bit silly for it. Also as this is about Christmas ill talk about my worries about at Christmas, we usually have a traditional dinner and spend time together, but I often go upstairs afterward. A few Christmases haven't gone well, with arguments and noise, like last year. We don’t celebrate as much anymore, just a tree and maybe a family get-together, which often doesn't go well. I find crowded situations overwhelming, so we might skip the get-together this year to avoid the usual drama. I don’t mind, actually, as it’s less frustrating. One Christmas was especially tough due to a friendship fall-out and family issues. While we've had some good Christmases, I just wanted to mention that it's not always as positive or exciting, and many can relate.

eylah

im back ❤️ i would love to make for a plan tmr bc i can just tell irs not gonna be gd i wanna go ice skating but idk ☹️

AnonymousToe

I go home from uni this weekend and i dont know how to feel. I’m looking forward to being taken care of but i dont know how I’m going to cope with the hoard after being away from it for nearly 3 months. I also have a ridiculous amount of work to do over Christmas. It’s definitely not gonna be the best time but I’m just looking forward to being able to relax and not having to mask every minute of every day.

independent_

heyyy defo not typing with one hand because i'm eating chocolate... a chocolate bomb actually, baso a chocolate egg with marshmallow in... i bloody hate marshmallows but someone bought me them for my birthday.