A Singularly Lonely Christmas

scattyspice

LavenderBees what a great attitude you have, and what a lovely plan you have made. I'm going to nick some of your ideas!

LavenderBees

A Christmas stocking.....? Hmmmm.....hadn't thought....I have HUGE hiking socks to fill....::T

Will have a think....:)

Downsizing__for_sanity

Wow... You are a woman with a plan! Have a great break and I'm going to try to take a leaf out of your book myself. In the midst of all the present-unwrapping frenzy, and the cooking and kids TV, I'm going to make time for myself to do something just for me each day, whether that is a long soak in the bath or a walk on the beach round the corner. I know I'll be a much nicer person for it!

Thanks for the inspiration.

Ellie x
DFS

LavenderBees

It's lovely to know this thread is making a difference regardless of individual circumstances, and the ideas are so universal, aren't they, and mostly free (ish) :money:.

If anyone does use any of the ideas here, please do feed back and let us all know if you managed the "me" time, and what activities worked...that will help keep us all inspired going into dark January.

:T

Hollyberry

LB - What a fantabulous plan! :j

Looking forward to dropping in to say hi and hear your news. And wishing you lots of happy memories and positive thoughts over the holidays.

Eenymeeny

Absolutely brilliant! I'm so chuffed that such a positive outcome has been achieved for so many of us from your post. I've certainly been inspired. Thank you so much for posting your query originally.
It's one of those posts that should be brought to Martin's attention to help him realise what a fabulous community he has formed.
Wishing you, and everyone else, a fabulous Christmas and New year and if we get to to the Carnival I'll be watching out for, and certainly thinking of you. Please wear a pink carnation or an mse sticker!
(Pity about the allotment party, maybe you should start a new tradition?)
Love Eeny

Need2bthrifty

LavenderBees wrote: »

So....generally feeling much more positive, and am going to document my plan here, derived from so many of your suggestions, so I challenge myself to achieve it (this can be my 3rd significant achievement, NBT...my mission that I have chosen to accept ). LB xx

Nice plan LB, I’m glad to hear you are feeling more positive and hope you enjoy the holidays in a new way. As you say there is scope in the plan to be flexible, with opportunities to mix with people and have moments of quiet reflection.

Hogmany, as the bells go, is when I get very emotional, Auld Lang Syne always makes me cry – but generally after raising my glass and reviewing the year just gone I do set down some challenges/goals/hopes/wishes for the coming year – I’ve even been known to write these down put them in an envelope and pack it away with the Christmas decorations to be opened next Christmas, when I see how well or badly I have done .


N2BT, xx

parsniphead

LavenderBees

What a fab plan. You sound so much more positive.

Personally I detest New Year's Eve and all the nonsense that goes on with it (especially those flipping annoying fireworks. Why do folks feel the need to blow the wold up because one day passes into another). I would happily go to bed early as I find it such a sad time that at the time feel that it takes me further from the loved ones lost. But in the cold light of day, the next day I realise they are still in my heart and would give me a ghostly kick up the bum if they thought I was wallowing.

Plus I don't spend New Year's Day nursing a hangover.

Anyway the plan sounds fab and you are so fab for volunteering during this time. :T

LavenderBees

Need2bthrifty wrote: »

Nice plan LB, I’m glad to hear you are feeling more positive and hope you enjoy the holidays in a new way. As you say there is scope in the plan to be flexible, with opportunities to mix with people and have moments of quiet reflection.

Hogmany, as the bells go, is when I get very emotional, Auld Lang Syne always makes me cry – but generally after raising my glass and reviewing the year just gone I do set down some challenges/goals/hopes/wishes for the coming year – I’ve even been known to write these down put them in an envelope and pack it away with the Christmas decorations to be opened next Christmas, when I see how well or badly I have done .

N2BT, xx

Aye, well, the flexibility is kicking in straight away as there is a Newcastle Meetup for a walk and possibly a lunch on the Sat 21st, that I think I may make my inaugral meetup - always easier to chat to others whilst walking. And it suits me far better than nights in pubs.

And, of course, that means I can't do my housework that Saturday, such a shame! ...well, I'll fit it in on the evenings in the run up to the hols and I'll be able to hit the ground running on the Saturday.

I think I've remembered the name of the lady I want to invite for lunch or a walk...does Lyn ring a bell, anyone? :rotfl: Your guess really is as good as mine....But I think I'll pop a card through her door one evening this week instead of the Saturday and see if she gets in touch. That way, my plan stays intact, just on different days.

Honestly, I feel like I have the weight of the world's expectations on my shoulders now. I have to do what I said I would.. no blocking the world out by staying under my duvet for me! :rotfl:

LavenderBees

parsniphead wrote: »

LavenderBees

What a fab plan. You sound so much more positive.

Personally I detest New Year's Eve and all the nonsense that goes on with it (especially those flipping annoying fireworks. Why do folks feel the need to blow the wold up because one day passes into another). I would happily go to bed early as I find it such a sad time that at the time feel that it takes me further from the loved ones lost. But in the cold light of day, the next day I realise they are still in my heart and would give me a ghostly kick up the bum if they thought I was wallowing.

Plus I don't spend New Year's Day nursing a hangover.

Anyway the plan sounds fab and you are so fab for volunteering during this time. :T

Love your username! :T

I would generally agree about NYEve, indeed, I've always actively avoided it in the past, but I think (hope) this year, the activities I have planned will stop me getting morose. Especially the blowing up the world fireworks :rotfl:. The photos of the Newcastle carnival from last year look so fab - so colourful and so full of energy and good humour, that I really hope they will help keep me on the positive track that you all have set me off on. And my walking group mates, (even though I've barely seen them for years now) are good humoured and welcoming, so a bit of their company will do me good.

TBH, I very much doubt I will see the actual new year in with anyone, as I can already feel that awful anxious feeling of being with people when I feel emotional or feel the losses more. So, I may give that part of the evening a miss, but I'll have had a good time before that, I'm sure.