For myself it is a time for family, friends and socialising with minimum anxiety. I am a mum but my daughter is not here to share the magic with. I miss my grandma and grandad, one of the voices in my head is my grandma so hearing her and not been able to share Christmas time with her is difficult. At Christmas it's a social time of year parties and pub drinking is pretty much top of the agenda. I attend the festivities with caution and make sure I feel safe, ready, calm and my anxiety is at a stable level. People around you in such places often drink to access at Christmas time, they become louder and roudier. For me this is easily taken into my head as a confrontational and anxiety probing environment. I stay close to my family and husband so that I am not alone and vulnerable. You automatically paste on a smile and fight the battles inside.
Intense feelings and emotions come to the surface. It is easy to become depressed, lonely, anxious and the rest of the emotions that are personal to yourself. I will be looking at this festive time as a positive thing. I see my loved ones from my ' bubble' and spend time with them. My family has a knack of making you laugh until your body hurts. I will be sober for the first Boxing Day since I could drink due to tablets. It gives me a good laugh at the slightly tipsy people around me.
I am closing my blog today until 28th December as I have to put all my energy into Christmas to enjoy it without a mental health decline. It also means I can put my all into my family.
Make someone smile this Christmas, be kind and understanding. Remember how lucky you are.
I would like to wish all my lovely readers and followers a very merry Christmas full of health and happiness. Along with a massive thank you for your support. See you on the 28th !!!! 🌲🎄🍾