Weekly Prompt #21: Are you feeling the weight of seasonal depression during the holidays?
Welcome back, group! I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week.
Last week we discussed: If you could do anything tomorrow, it would be________ (Complete the sentence) Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts for discussion. I enjoyed them. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you
This week's prompt: Are you feeling the weight of seasonal depression during the holidays?
Are the winter holidays a time of joy and celebration for you? Or do they bring about feelings of sadness and despair? Seasonal depression is a real and often debilitating condition that affects many individuals during the holiday season. If you or someone you know is struggling with seasonal depression, it's important to seek support and find ways to cope with these difficult emotions.
I wanted to start a discussion on if you could do anything tomorrow. Big or small, mini or tiny, or anything in between, everything counts. Share with us and I look forward to hearing and discussing with you all!
Also, please do give a shout-out to @ALeXaNdEr0712 (Teen) who were very thoughtful about this topic and shared it with me, so we can have a discussion on this to support each other!
Join us in the 24/7 Depression Support Group Chat!
I have some pretty bad luck when it comes to holidays. Something terrible always happens. For me, the holiday seasons definitely bring a sense of dread and heaviness with them. It's nice to feel like I'm not alone in it though.
@AlduinTheDovah I understand this holiday season brings up difficult feelings, dovah. It can be hard to feel a sense of dread around what's supposed to be a joyous time. You are right that feeling less alone can help. I'm glad you felt safe sharing here. What helps you take care of yourself during those heavy moments?
I don’t think I have seasonal depression but as summers rolls around (cuz I’m on the other side of the world) it brings back feeling and thoughts of what my last summer was which wasn’t the best it almost feel like nostalgia just exactly what I was feeling
@GwydionRowan It sounds like memories from last summer are bringing up difficult feelings. Reflecting on that time can be emotionally challenging. You do not seem to feel it's seasonal depression, yet the changing of the seasons is stirring something within. Simply knowing you are not alone in feeling nostalgia or finding this time of year reminiscent of past experiences can sometimes help. What aspects of last summer you find yourself reflecting on most?
@ASilentObserver it’s odd cause the feel is physical. Summer last year I was really overworking myself and no eatting right so now I feel skinny which I don’t think this really explains how I feel but it’s the best I can do
@GwydionRowan It sounds like you have been through a difficult time last summer with overworking and not eating well. Feeling skinny but with an underlying unease must be challenging. You deserve to feel comfortable in your body and at peace. We are all here with you in this to listen to and support you, Rowan. You are not alone <3
Yes, for me with seasonal. Not so much the holidays as I love the food and buying gifts for others, but the cold weather and snow as well as the crowds make it hard to get out or get much accomplished.
@akay06 I can understand how the cold weather and snow make it difficult to get out and accomplish tasks. The crowds during the holidays must also feel overwhelming at times. You're not alone in finding this time of year difficult. We are all here with you to listen to and to support. What feelings arise in you when facing these challenges of the season?
Hey ASO!
I do not. In fact, I would probably do well in somewhere like Seattle or Alaska as I prefer a dark rainy day to a sunny one.
I have bipolar disorder, so it doesn’t care what it looks like outside. I know this is a real struggle for some, however.
✨Thanks for starting this discussion!✨
@blitheSun94 Thank you for sharing about preferring rainy days and about living with bipolar disorder. It sounds like you have found an environment that suits you well. You are right that weather affects people differently. How do you typically cope during difficult times?
Thank you for your response!
✨self care
✨meditation
✨sleep
✨hydration
✨decompression isolation
✨cocooning with my heating pad and pets
✨distraction
✨therapy
✨medication
✨helping others
✨reading
✨writing
✨walking
✨swimming
to name a few.
I don't think I have serious seasonal depression. The only thing that bothers me is that many people seem to be having a lot more fun on the holidays than I. I think, "I wish they would invite me along."
@ASilentObserver
I probably will once thanksgiving and christmas roll around. I'm just depressed in general lately.
@purpleTree4652 It sounds like you have been feeling depressed lately. Having the holidays approach can sometimes make those feelings stronger. You are not alone in struggling with depression at times - many people do. What kinds of things have been weighing on you or what you've been experiencing?
@ASilentObserver
I honestly think it is partially a cortisol deficiency. When I wake up I am extremely depressed. It isn't until I take my meds and vitamins and drink tea that my mood is lifted. I am just a sad person in general. I am in grad school, and alone in life, so I have a lot to do. Chores, school work and work are all up to me. It seems like a heavy burden. I know that I have it better than many people. That is why I think it is my ptsd, clinical depression, and cortisol deficiency.
@purpleTree4652 you are dealing with a lot of challenges and responsibilities alone. Carrying that heavy burden each day must feel draining both mentally and physically. Though it seems you are very self-aware to recognize both your struggles and strengths. Maintaining hope despite life's hardships shows courage and resilience. You got this, purple and we are all in this together with you
@ASilentObserver
Thank you, ASO. (hugs)
Glad to see you on here. I hope that things are going fairly okay for you. You are right that mornings can be tough. @purpleTree4652
@bestVase7265
Hi, Vase,
It's nice to see you too.
I have covid.
--tree
@purpleTree4652 I am sorry to hear you've tested positive for COVID. You must be going through a lot. I am thinking of you and sending recovery beams!
@ASilentObserver
Thank you so much. 😷
So sorry to hear. I will be thinking about you. That is never pleasant, but do remind yourself that you aren't alone. You will get to the other side of this. @purpleTree4652
@ASilentObserver
holiday time use be good time but now feels not good anymore to much happens my family dont know will be with them or my mom want me there even ? other things make hard time just feels not so much ok idk not excited this year holidays 😭
@theboymoana I am sensing this holiday season is bringing up difficult feelings for you. It's understandable that family dynamics and past experiences could make this time of year challenging. Please know you are not alone in finding the holidays hard sometimes. We are all here with you.
I hate the holidays. Big get togethers where no on really gets to talk to anyone. Food food food. Sick and tired of it already. The whole planning to executing. Horrid. Hate it. Pretty much miserable all season long. Unless i have pumpkin pie.
@CATastrophizing It sounds like the holidays can be stressful times for you, with big gatherings and lots of planning. I can understand feeling overwhelmed by all the socializing and activities. What makes the holidays difficult for you in particular?
Just supposed to be a family time but everyone is so busy doing stuff to make it better which in turn gives less time to engage in conversations and stuff.
@ASilentObserver
October/Halloween is my favorite time of the year. For me it's Halloween, then New Years Day. Everything in between is just blackness.
@Fleetline It sounds like October and Halloween are times that bring you joy and light in an otherwise difficult period. What makes these seasons feel so meaningful for you? Please know you're not alone in finding strength and connection through celebrations.
@ASilentObserver - Thanksgiving and Christmas are designed for children and families. Not everyone has those as they get older. And those holidays become a spotlight on those who do not have children or families.
"Aren't you married?" "Don't you have kids?" which turns into "What kind of work do you do?"
They're trying to figure out why you aren't like them. Why you aren't 'happy' like them. Why aren't you 'normal'.
Holidays are just awkward and draining. I try to work, drink and sleep through the whole holiday.
I feel it strongly, and I always wonder about my purpose in life and if I disappeared, it would be more easier for my family, and I'm so failed that I can't start my MA thesis or think about my future. I think mummies are more useful than me.
@DinaElwy It sounds like you have been struggling with difficult feelings of failure and wondering about your purpose. Those kinds of thoughts can be really hard to cope with. What matters most to you in finding meaning or motivation?
@ASilentObserver I feel the day is repeating and it passes without doing anything and the worse is that I can't change anything.