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The holidays are over, what now?

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Posted 1/2/2011 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everybody,

As I stated in the subject line, the holidays are over, what now? 

I know a lot of us get depressed at this time of year.  You can use this thread to talk about how you are feeling if you would like to.  Or to post anything.  I myself, am going to take this year, one day at a time.  That is my philosophy on life.  And to live in the moment.  I have already noticed that my mind isn't always on what I am doing.  So I am going to practice more mindfulness from now on.  Wish me luck with this.  And share how you feel now that things have slowed down.

Hugs, Karen

Posted 1/2/2011 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Karen for this thread. I too want to practice mindfulness. Being bipolar, it's a tall order.

We just took all our Christmas tree and holiday decorations down :( I like that the house looks cleaner, but I will miss the tree tonight.

Personally, these next few months are the hardest for me. I always crash through the holidays and it seems the depression just lasts until the green gass and sun returns.

I am continuing to use my mood light (sitting with it now). It seems to help so I am glad for that. I have been cycling like crazy with my moods. I was feeling pretty great just a few minutes ago, and now have started feeling down and tired. So I turned the light on :)

Anyway, I wish you the best for 2011 and I will share my failure or sucesses with the mindfulness challenge!!

Hugs,
Mogs
Posted 1/2/2011 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Karen,  great thread.

This time of year is always rough for me and I know what triggers it but each year I get stuck in the sad feelings.

I am going to try to spend as much time with my granddaughter who is home from college.  Also I am going to get out of the house and just do something even if it is going to the libray or visiting my MIL.

I will not set any New Year's resolutions as they set me up for failure so I will just keep moving forward one day at a time.

I wish you peace,

Kitt

Posted 1/2/2011 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
I think that one day at a time is best too Kitt. That is the only way that I can handle it. One moment for the most part.

Mogs,

I didn't know if you have said anything about taking vitamin D. But that really helps with the mood this time of the year. Some people take about 3000 iu a day. Some take more, some less. I take about 1 or 2,000 iu a day when I remember to. That is my problem with supplements. I forget to take them.

I hope that you both have a great evening.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/3/2011 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I got "snowed in" if you know what I mean with the 8" snowstorm we had on Christmas night. The highways were cleared within 24 hours, but I live on a hill and there was no one to clean the driveways. The children had a wonderful time sledding down my drive, turning the snow into ice which remained frozen until Friday. I didn't go out on New Year's Day because everything was closed. So today was my first visit to the grocery store since Christmas Eve. I'm great, however!

I plan to get some business matters adjusted tomorrow and then expect to be in the hospital in mid January for an out-patient cataract removal. Not looking forward to that, but expect it to improve my vision  as close to 20/20 as possible. (Could I blame all my spelling errors on that, please?)
Then, a second operation on the other eye in February is scheduled.

I really am looking forward to this New Year. Karen is exactly right about taking one day at a time. For me, it's the only way to really live.
By the way, Karen, are you getting along with your no-smoking efforts?
I had some cherries today, which broke my sugar reduction efforts,
but haven't had any sugar, per se.

Stkitt,

This article on humor, laughter, and wit has turned out to be the most
expansive effort I've made in any writing. I think I'm going to limit
it maybe to one page at various intervals. I've never seen so much material published on that topic.

Jamiee came back with some powerful posts in the last two days. I'm delighted to see him right back up there full steam ahead. Great, Jamiee!

I will be posting intermittently before and after surgery. They tell me
I'm going to be a good candidate with very little chance of anything happening. The most difficult part will be the time between the operation on each eye while the other eye is trying to compensate for new vision in the new lens eye. Just so long as I'm not cross-eyed when the surgeons are finished!

Take good care of yourselves.

It's Genetic
Posted 1/3/2011 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
You will be so happy that you had the procedure done. I have cataracts starting, but the doctor said that they grow slow so I don't have anything to deal with as of yet. But I just know that you are going to be so happy, especially when you get the second one done. I will be thinking about you. Please do keep us posted as to what is going on.

Take care,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/3/2011 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Karen-

So nice to hear from you. Haven't been visiting here much as it isn't my main forte here on Healing Well but the holidays are tough on me as I have lost my father and my brother during the holiday season 9 years and 1 year respectively, the kids are grown so no Santa magic and lots of the same old same old problems in life...
I was glad that the old year closed out- but not feeling particularly upbeat with the new year thus far. Trying to look for positives....

I wish everyone my best
Posted 1/3/2011 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
guys, toooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!! peace out, jamie
Posted 1/3/2011 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
Best of luck to you IG
Posted 1/3/2011 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hope everything goes well IG.

One thing i have been working on with my therapist that i think is sort of included in the "live one day at a time" idea is having small things to look forward to throughout the day. It may be having your morning coffee, then lunch and a walk before dinner or whatever, give yourself something to look foward to throughout the day. I feel like this helps me when i don't have something "big" to look foward to. Also its only about 1 month until i get to start my hot pepper seeds for the summer planting so i am getting excited about that :).
Posted 1/3/2011 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Awty, and Geosojda, and Karen; I'll be fine.

It's Genetic
Posted 1/3/2011 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
IG,

Wishing you the best outcome with your cataract removal. One at a time is a good thing.

My in-laws decided last summer to have cataract surgery together  on the same day.  They forgot to mention it to the children. My MIL is 85 and My FIL is 89  turn We worked it out  and my hubby and I went and spent the night with them.  They were having a terrible time with the eye drops and dealing with the eye patches as they each had one surgical eye. 

Moral of story, if you need help just call on me...................LOL  I'll be there !

Thinking of you ! 

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 1/3/2011 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what is happening this year. My parents wont have me back home anymore, so I'm scared I'll be homeless. I'm crashing at my friends all the time. It's not good but at least they care. I've got exams this year and i dont want to fail them and being 16 means I cant get a home for myself. I'm too young. So if I cant get into a hostel, then I'll have to take the streets again. There is one other suggestion, to go to citizens advice bureau and seek immediate help. Hopefully I can get somewhere to stay for free if I can. Failing that, turn to my grandma for a bit again if she will have me.

But I'm going to make the most of it. I've just got to be strong somehow. I think I underestimated 2011. I thought it would be ok and now I've been disowned by my parents totally but I'm used to it and I'm really independent and wont give in, so my hopes are to pass my GCSEs and get those A*s :-) and get into college and go into university. That's my optimistic hopes and I will achieve them!

many hugs, arielle.
Posted 1/3/2011 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
whitebutterfly,

I am sorry to hear you parents have kicked you out.  In the UK you can legally leave home with your parents' consent, so if they kick you out you have their consent.  I am wondering what happened so quickly that they have kicked you out ?  I think making a child leave home is a bit rough. 

I was also flabbergasted at your drinking laws in the UK.  The legal age to purchase alcohol in the UK is 18.

16-17 year olds can consume an alcoholic drink (beer, cider, glass of wine)  with a table meal if bought by an adult (18+).

5-17 year olds can legally drink alcohol in private premises. ( not a licensed premises) 

Under 5 years cannot be givien alcohol at all. 

I don't have much advise for you as your parents appear to be following the law.  I am glad to see you plan to finish school.  Good Luck.

Kitt


Posted 1/3/2011 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, the laws are so different there. I didn't know any of this. I always thought it was 21 everywhere. We use to be 18. I remember when it changed back to 21.

Whitebutterfly,

I am sorry that your parents have kicked you out. I hope that you find a place to stay soon. How long have you been at your friend's house?

Best wishes to you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/4/2011 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi kitt, I'm glad to be kicked out. They neglected me, bullied me, beat me up, starved me, put me on drugs etc. I don't know them as my parents. I dont know them at all. I don't drink. Dad is an alcoholic and I do not wish to follow him. As for mum, well when I'm gone, I hope she regrets everything she has done to me. They kicked me out for being with my friend they hate. I've been told that I'm not their daughter anymore and because I'm in full time education still, by law they cannot kick me out of the house because I am not earning and they have my child benefits. I hate them anyway. They've lost me. It made me cry when I found out but why should I be crying? I'm free from abuse. They've let me go. I'm free!!!!!

Karen, yeah. UK alcohol laws are stupid. What Kitt says is true. No wonder so many kids binge drink in the UK. I daren't drink alcohol loads. I only think of my dad and I panic. I only drink when there's a good enough occasion to drink at and that's hardly ever. I love life with my girlies, doing modelling and having fun, shopping and looking after my horse and my grandma. I dont need alcohol to make things better. Yes, I haven't been an angel. Grandma saved me from drugs because of mum and dad but I dont do it now. I get by with help from my mates, modelling with my girlfriends and my close mate who I love with my heart.

I've been staying at my mate's house for a few weeks but I cant stay for much longer. His mum cant keep having me. I should be able to live with grandma but I'm scared mum will try and get me back because she needs something to beat up basically, so I might go into hostels and use my pocket money I have hidden ( given to me from grandma over the years for helping her out) from mum and dad. My friend told me to stay away from hostels because they are dangerous but I dont know where else to go. I have no one else to turn to.

I'll get there though. I'm strong :-) Having bipolar doesn't stop me from living life to the maximum.

Thank you both for being there for me. It means a lot to me. And to know that you are all trying your hardest to be well too, wow....you inspire me lots and lots. Thank you.

many hugs, arielle.
Posted 1/4/2011 8:05 AM (GMT 0)
SENDING HEALING PRAYERS YOUR WAY WHITE-BUTTERFLY.
WITH COMPASSION, JAMIE.
Posted 1/4/2011 10:03 AM (GMT 0)

Whitebutterfly,

I left home when I was 16 too, and though it was extremely difficult, I made it.  I worked, paid all my bills and did what I had always done, that was to continue to bring up me.

Stay strong, it will be tough, but you can do it too

Posted 1/4/2011 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
But awty, I cant pay for bills, get a council house and be at school still. I have no money either, just my pocket money. I'll fail all my exams if I even try. And I've recently only turned 16. I'm an independent girl, yes, I've had to be because of my parents but I'm nowhere near prepared to just get my own house and give up everything else in my life. I'm too young. I want to make a life for myself and go to university I've got a citizens advice bureau appointment next mondey. I'm trying stay with my mate until then. I'll declare myself homeless. They'll have to do something. They cant leave me on the streets. I cant have that again. I will have to see if I can get fostered until I'm 18 or something if I can. I need my education more than anything. Without that, I cant look up to something worthwhile living for. I want to be a Vet. Its what I've dreamed of most of my life because of looking after animals lots. I'm proud of you for being independent yourself. You must be a very strong person :-) I wish I was like that too.

This is getting more harder the more I think about it. I wish it was simple. Can it be? I spent all night last night and today crying and feeling really down. I might have to go back to the doctors again and ask for more therapy. It was wrong of me to stop it just because I felt better with my bipolar. I'll do it today whilst I can. :-)

many hugs, arielle.
Posted 1/4/2011 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
wow WB, i don't think i have ever met a more mature 16 year old. It seems you have lived more life than someone twice your age and still have fortitude to push on and work towards your dreams. I am humbled. And you are absolutly correct about your schooling, it will make your future so bright, its worth working towards.

I hope everything goes well with your appointment on monday, we are a very strong person. you are in my prayers...:)
Posted 1/4/2011 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Geo so very much. Thats so kind of you to reply what you did.

Yeah lots of people think I am more mature for my age. I am glad in a way. I get situations dealt with better when I am ready to tackle them and I know what I want too, so I am pushing for everything I can.

many many warm hugs to you, arielle.
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