Post holiday depression

Anyone else get this?

Yes!! It’s a very normal occurrence! Especially when you think about the loved ones who are not here to share the special time of the year with you!

However, this too shall pass!! Praying for you!

Yes, I do.

I do, but it's mostly from being forced to spend time with my family (who I don't get along with). Now that I am back home I feel better.

Yes, it's like a sudden letdown after the holiday festivities and time off from work end, even if spent alone. You're hit with the realization that a new year is starting from scratch once again with nothing good to look forward to, for as long as all this lasts.

Yes, I do, and I don't know why. For the last decades of my life I have spent Christmases alone every year. It seems like it's going to be my destiny from now on.

I feel let down because I like seeing decorations that go up in December. I have been alone for a long time on Christmas, so I don't have any anticipation that it's going to be fabulous. But then I would think, "you never know". A Christmas "miracle" has never happened for me.

Also there's some days off from work and the pace slows down. People tend to be in better moods. Though this past week, it was much busier and stressful than I expected. The Monday following New Years Day is always the worst day to be at work. It means that it's back to 5-day work weeks and a good while before any time off. But I do get over it a week or less after New Years.

Hello Will19. So sorry to hear of your pain I too deal with holiday depression and have spent plenty of holidays (T'giving, Xmas, NYE/NYD, my birthday) completely alone. I'd like to offer you a few thoughts which have helped me.

Try not to tell yourself that it is your "destiny" to be alone on the holidays. Have you heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy? Research suggests that when people tell themselves that a negative thing will occur or continue to occur, it is more likely because the mind becomes skewed toward focusing on the negatives. I live with depression so I know how that goes and I know it's not easy to deal with but there are research-based strategies which help

Instead of telling yourself: "it is my destiny to be alone on the holidays" you could tell yourself "I'm going to live a life of intention. I don't enjoy being alone on the holidays so I'm going to try a new approach. And this new approach may require that my expectations are a bit different."

For example, have you tried volunteering on the holidays? That is a great way to connect with other people, to actually spend time with them and not be alone...it is a wonderful feeling to help another and can really help to relieve the darkness of depression. It may not fit with your ideal holiday (that's different for everyone) but I have a hunch that it could bring you much more peace and joy than waiting each year for something to spontaneously change on it's own. Does that make sense?

You mentioned that you have never experienced a "Christmas miracle." What if you decide to create your own Christmas miracle or a NYE miracle by doing something wonderful for yourself or volunteering or a random act of kindness for a stranger who may also be struggling with the holidays?

I have created several threads on the PC forums which are designed to help people when they have holiday depression or any day depression. I invite you to join any of these threads. You would be very welcome
Remembering compliments to feel better
Gratitude?
Share something nice that you did for someone
Something goofy to make you smile for a moment!
https://forums.psychcentral.com/depr...ay-season.html
Managing depression and anxiety without drugs
The Kindness of Strangers
Good News Network
Share some music that soothes or energizes you
For anyone feeling sad, frightened, weary, or hopeless

In the meantime, please know that I care about your loneliness and I wish you unconditional safe love, peace, and healing energy for 2019 and beyond! You deserve it Will19.

For everyone dealing with holiday depression or year-round depression, here's a great big, loving and safe

Feel free to join the positive threads I created (see links on my reply to Will19) for some comfort, connection, and hope. There is a chain of hearts honoring everyone having a difficult time over the holidays. I know it helps me to know that I'm not the only one...to help me stop telling myself that I'm "weird."

I wish you all peace and healing energy. You are not alone; we are all connected in the Universe. Here's to a bright future!

Yes, I do. Each year.

I warmly invite everyone to add your thoughts to this thread in order to reduce negative thinking about the new year and increase your sense of hope

https://forums.psychcentral.com/depr...ml#post6384435

I do because time with family is difficult. I’m always happy to get back into the normal routine again.