[T4bbyCat]

Finishing up the year, taking stock, cleaning up. Alone for New Year this time, but then the people I've usually been with have all slept through it the last few years.

[hvert]

I may have found an office space to use for a while. Fingers crossed I get a yes today.

[Breaking Dawn]

I seem to be feeling a little bit better so far today, but feel sadness & anxiety. I'm trying to be optimistic.

[Buffy01]

I am feeling depressed today even though I promised mud to feel good today because of the new year day.

[Mountaindewed]

I was pretty down until I ate a package of European smarties. They helped with some depression I was having today about something. I don't eat candy much and I don't like have a weight issue or anything but sometimes when this one particular issue is really bothering me I need to eat either European Smarties or mint Aero candy bars to get some relief. But one tube or bar is enough to make me feel better and I don't hoard them or anything although I really do need to get more of the Smarties soon.

But I'm still very tired and I'm not sure it all has to do with just depression

[SprinkL3]

It's nearing the end of the day and I am too fatigued to do anything other than eat and sleep and come online here periodically. I just need a day of rest.

[Rose76]

Tired. I get plenty of rest. Don't know why I am so fatigued.

Today was a busy day for me. I cleaned in the morning. In the afternoon I got birthday wishes from my brother and friend from college. And my local friend and his wife came over to visit me briefly and gave me a gift. It was nice.

This has been a good day for me, however, I'm feeling like it might be marred a little bit. As of now, it's almost the end of the day and my sister hasn't called me. It's very unusual for my sister to not call me on my birthday. I wonder if something is up? In talking to her lately, she doesn't seem like she's in her right mind. She can't be so busy today to not be able to call me.

[Deilla]

I'm discovering things about myself that I need to change. I'm trying by pinning quotes and meditating on them.

[Breaking Dawn]

Originally Posted by will19

Today was a busy day for me. I cleaned in the morning. In the afternoon I got birthday wishes from my brother and friend from college. And my local friend and his wife came over to visit me briefly and gave me a gift. It was nice.

This has been a good day for me, however, I'm feeling like it might be marred a little bit. As of now, it's almost the end of the day and my sister hasn't called me. It's very unusual for my sister to not call me on my birthday. I wonder if something is up? In talking to her lately, she doesn't seem like she's in her right mind. She can't be so busy today to not be able to call me.

Happy Birthday, @will19!

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by will19

Today was a busy day for me. I cleaned in the morning. In the afternoon I got birthday wishes from my brother and friend from college. And my local friend and his wife came over to visit me briefly and gave me a gift. It was nice.

This has been a good day for me, however, I'm feeling like it might be marred a little bit. As of now, it's almost the end of the day and my sister hasn't called me. It's very unusual for my sister to not call me on my birthday. I wonder if something is up? In talking to her lately, she doesn't seem like she's in her right mind. She can't be so busy today to not be able to call me.

[3rd rock]

If I worked lots of overtime I could become completely out of debt within as little as two years. And then I could start putting away for my retirement.

[Deilla]

I am lonely this morning. I had to quit therapy so I no longer have a therapist I can talk to. I usually post in my online therapy room. I guess I will journal. It won't be the same but it will be better than nothing. I can pretend to write to God and trust that the Universe will listen to what I have to say.

[Breaking Dawn]

So far today I'm doing ok.

This day is just starting. It seems like every morning before breakfast, my thoughts race about the times ahead. It's a combination of anxiety and depression. I have a lot on my mind about the future, mostly about the possibility of having to move in a few months from now. I'm feeling lost and not looking forward to it, unless something potentially great could happen.

My sister finally called yesterday but it was at a time when I was preparing dinner. It was not a good time to call. I asked her why she didn't call me earlier. She said that she was busy. I don't understand how she could be so busy. Yesterday was a holiday, so no shopping or appointments. She said that she was busy with her kids. Her kids are grown adults! So we argued. Like I said earlier, I feel like I've been at odds with her and drifting apart. I'm putting down this problem in a nutshell. Perhaps I'll post more about her and things
sometime in the future on another forum here.

[Mountaindewed]

The whole candy bar thing happned again. Where I felt depressed until I ate a candy bar. But my mom is thinking its an actual physical issue and after switching to zero sugar soda last week my body is not getting enough actual sugar so once I eat the candy bar I do really do feel better physically. I'm not sure I totally believe that I think the candy bars are a bit of an emotional thing. But I guess they could be physical.

My dad who was a severe diabetic often would eat candy bars when his blood sugar dropped really low.

[SprinkL3]

This is me today - very fatigued, low energy, somewhat sleepy.

[T4bbyCat]

Final remnants of the holidays are evaporating as we speak. If only I were free and able to spend time how I want... but sadly, the drudgery begins anew. There's got to be a way to switch over to something that's actually exciting and worthwhile.

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by T4bbyCat

Final remnants of the holidays are evaporating as we speak. If only I were free and able to spend time how I want... but sadly, the drudgery begins anew. There's got to be a way to switch over to something that's actually exciting and worthwhile.

I try to see the new year as a new beginning for myself - a way to embark on a new journey. Perhaps spring cleaning early, or renewing our wardrobe and hair styles, or starting a new and healthier routine, or starting a new hobby, or rearranging furniture and redecorating, or all of the above or a combo of the above. I'm trying to do that every year, to make all of the festivities transition into a time for me. For those who live with families or roommates, it could be a new year for all of them, too. They could reinvent their living situation by creating new routines and a fresh and clean start, too.

There are many possibilities.

And soon, before we know it, there will be another spring-based holiday we can celebrate, not including Valentine's Day (which not everyone celebrates).

And then again, sometimes we have to invent our own personal holidays.

[Deilla]

I managed to get my therapist back. I worked it out. So I feel much better.

[Breaking Dawn]

Originally Posted by Deilla

I managed to get my therapist back. I worked it out. So I feel much better.

Good for you, @Deilla! And I'm happy to hear you're feeling better.

Originally Posted by SprinkL3

I try to see the new year as a new beginning for myself - a way to embark on a new journey. Perhaps spring cleaning early, or renewing our wardrobe and hair styles, or starting a new and healthier routine, or starting a new hobby, or rearranging furniture and redecorating, or all of the above or a combo of the above. I'm trying to do that every year, to make all of the festivities transition into a time for me. For those who live with families or roommates, it could be a new year for all of them, too. They could reinvent their living situation by creating new routines and a fresh and clean start, too.

There are many possibilities.

And soon, before we know it, there will be another spring-based holiday we can celebrate, not including Valentine's Day (which not everyone celebrates).

And then again, sometimes we have to invent our own personal holidays.

This is a time I feel like I have to make a major decision and I have to do it pretty soon. My lease at where I live will be up in June. There seems to be, in my mind, about a 100 options, so it's very dizzying. It's exciting but it's dreadful, too. So far, the new year has been pretty good. We'll see what the rest will bring.

It's funny that, last year, I retired and it was unexpected.

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by Deilla

I managed to get my therapist back. I worked it out. So I feel much better.

@Deilla - Congrats, and I'm so happy you got your therapist back. Yay!

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by will19

This is a time I feel like I have to make a major decision and I have to do it pretty soon. My lease at where I live will be up in June. There seems to be, in my mind, about a 100 options, so it's very dizzying. It's exciting but it's dreadful, too. So far, the new year has been pretty good. We'll see what the rest will bring.

It's funny that, last year, I retired and it was unexpected.

@will19 - I hope this year turns out great for all of us! Your early and unexpected retirement has a lot of transitional changes that come with it. Some get sad, some get happy/excited, and others have a combo of mixed feelings with that alone. When considering a major move after that - esp. as your lease ends - that's huge!

Do you plan on moving out of state? Do you have a good nest egg saved up for retirement?

You can make retirement fun, too! Set up a goals journal - I like that better than the famous "bucket list" people have borrowed from that movie. Goals means that you are accomplishing things that are measurable and attainable in the here-and-now, while also considering the hope of a future in "the beyond" (i.e., the afterlife). Our outlook toward the end doesn't have to be the end; it could be the beginning, but we can continue on with our ambitions and goals throughout disability (early retirement for many of us who just cannot return to work) and retirement (those like you who have put in a full lifetime of work, despite any medical or mental health issues). We can all find some meaning and purpose to life - with or without employment statuses, socioeconomic statuses, etc.

Perhaps you can write down your dreams and goals for moving, and why moving would be such an epic and inspirational change for you as you embark on your 2nd year of retirement as well as your new year 2022!

We'd love to hear about your new adventures!

It's Monday after New Years Day and today is the first time in decades that I didn't go to work on this day. It seemed like the first Monday following New Years Day was always the worst day of the year. It's because the holidays are over and people, being back to work, are depressed. And it always seemed very cold outside on that day. Today was just like that.

It felt like a weird kind of day today. It wasn't a bad day but something inside of me just didn't feel right. I didn't know what it was. When I got the mail this afternoon, I got a birthday gift from my sister. It was a nice gift, but I felt bad since our talk last Saturday didn't go well.