Spending the holidays alone is no fun...

 Since my mother passed away in '98 ,  for the most part, I have spent my B-Days & holidays alone.  It does get easier, but it doesn't get better. Perhaps, I was born to be a recluse, but nevertheless, I would prefer to have a social life.  As I am in my mid-life, and have been single for years, the urge to recreate & mix with others, is not as strong as it use to be. Don't get me wrong, when I was young, I was out there and loved to party and engage in activities.  Nowadays,  I love my privacy and do not think that I woudl be able to co-habitate with another, yet, the lonliness, at times, can be overwhelming and debilitating.  Living with depression is a neverending challenge, and one can only hope that, eventually,it will evolve into becoming less of an obstacle and more of an annoyance. So I say to you all, if you have someone in your life that desires to spend the holidays with you, consider yourself lucky; even if it's a dysfunctional relationship.

Old Hippy

thanks for posting, so many feel the way you do.

My suggestion would be to reach out to a support group for whatever your issues maybe, even if it is depression. There are groups for children of alcholics which is very supportive, especially during the holidays.

I understand how you feel about your birthday. I personally do not celebrate mine own. My husband is the only person who recognizes that day.

I wish you peace and strength to get through your isolation periods.
Stay strong.
Trina

i feel the same way around this time of year more than other times,this is my first time to write something but i keep telling myself this to will pass and tomorrow will be better and for the last 40yrs its gotten me thru really tuff spots

Thanks all for responding... My daughter came to visit yesterday, which has alleviated some of the isolation that I was feeling. Our relationship has improved somewhat , so I hope , that one day , in the future, we will spend the holidays together. For those of you who feel my pain, many blessings to you... For the past 4 years, I have been struggling to reach out, hopefully 2013 will be a breakthrough year for me and I wish the same for all of you! peace out....

Hi jojo177,

Welcome to the forum. I am glad that you joined us.

Try not to project that the holidays are going to be bad. They might not. I have gone through this too. I got on the proper medication and got therapy. I wouldn't answer the phone or the door. All I did was stay in bed. I did that for two years. I had fibromyalgia too though. So that is why I was sick so long.

It is good to take a break from life once in awhile, but we have to get back into the swing of things. If you can't interact with a social life, can you maybe take a short walk daily? It really helps to clear the mind and it helps you physically too. Talk to a doctor and see about getting on medication. And getting into therapy.

Learn to live in the now the best you can in your situation. This takes mindfulness. We are here for you and we can help you. Take care...

Hugs, Karen

Welcome Jo jo

I understand what you mean by clock watchers on therapist. I am 1pm on saturdays! But the truth is they do help. I can call my therapist and talk anytime I need to if it is real urgent. Most do not do that, so I am lucky.

They have a way of get the bad stuff out of us like a sauve.

Try mindful.org check out some of the articles and most books can be found at the library. Helps us live day by day.

I wish you peace and strength
Trina