[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.

[will19]

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!

[will19]

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.

[Deilla]

I'm having a good night. I'm cooking and I'm playing games. I'm going to ignore the drama.

[Rose76]

I am spending too much time in front of the TV. I think this is a new kind of depression I'm falling into. No sadness. Just way too much inactivity.

[downandlonely]

I'm quarantining because I have Covid. Physical symptoms are gone. I'm just pretty bored.

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by downandlonely

I'm quarantining because I have Covid. Physical symptoms are gone. I'm just pretty bored.

@downandlonely - we hope you get well soon!

[SprinkL3]

@Mountaindewed - we hope you get well soon, too! We're not sure if you're on this thread or not, but we lost track of the scrolling. Still, we wanted to wish you well.

[Buffy01]

I been feeling really down. I feel like i can't trust myself today. I kept myself busy.

[Rose76]

I haven't taken down my tree yet or any of my Christmas decorations. I'll start that on Friday.

I really miss Christmas when it's over. All that Christmas magic goes out of the air. That's already started. I try to keep observing the traditional "12 days of Christmas" - which traditionally ran through Jan 5. Then Jan 6 used to be the feast day of the 3 kings. That was the scedule, I think, for centuries. It all got changed. I'm out of sync with the world around me. I don't like change.

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by Buffy01

I been feeling really down. I feel like i can't trust myself today. I kept myself busy.

I am going to sleep soon, but I wanted to send you a hug and say that I hope you feel better soon. I am on my cell, so I do not know how to do the gif pictures yet. But I will after I get sleep.

I keep myself busy when I struggle with myself, too.

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by Rose76

I haven't taken down my tree yet or any of my Christmas decorations. I'll start that on Friday.

I really miss Christmas when it's over. All that Christmas magic goes out of the air. That's already started. I try to keep observing the traditional "12 days of Christmas" - which traditionally ran through Jan 5. Then Jan 6 used to be the feast day of the 3 kings. That was the scedule, I think, for centuries. It all got changed. I'm out of sync with the world around me. I don't like change.

I wish that Christmas returned! I like the idea of Christmas in January.

I wonder if that is what Epiphany is??

I do not like change either. And Christmas is too short.

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by Buffy01

I been feeling really down. I feel like i can't trust myself today. I kept myself busy.

@Buffy01 - I hope you feel better soon. (((safe hugs)))

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by SprinkL3

@Buffy01 - I hope you feel better soon. (((safe hugs)))

:sadhug:

I wish that I knew how to feel better. I start therapy this summer.

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by Buffy01

I wish that I knew how to feel better. I start therapy this summer.

Starting therapy is a good first step to feeling better. Self-care is another step. You can self-care by getting the rest you need, taking the meds you need, pacing yourself, setting boundaries, finding some of your favorite things to do in safe spaces and doing them, reaching out for social support from validating friends and family, etc.

For coping skills, that will take a trained therapist to help you figure out which ones will work best with what you're dealing with.

For medical or neurological issues, a psychiatrist will help you figure out what can assist with you feeling better.

I hope you feel better soon, but in the meantime, I hope you hang in there.

(((safe hugs)))

[3rd rock]

I am the worst writer ever.

[Breaking Dawn]

I've been having intervals of really difficult & then much easier experiences.

[Deilla]

I've been having problems with overeating. I got some foods that triggered me. I feel really bad.