For those of us who find it tricky and exhausting to sit upright, write, breathe, sleep, and have conversations, the arrival of Christmas can feel like the poisoned cherry on top of a dog-poo Sundae.
Obligations and temptations to overdo it ( then crash or flare-up),are abundant, as are the things that we know we are going to miss ( miss the food, miss wearing the sparkly clothes, miss the going out, miss the socialising...miss 'being well' essentially.)
The advice I have pinned on my noticeboard ( see above), came to me via a sewing kit I purchased, (of which more in a future blog.) The kit was part of a mental wellness charity initiative to help those of us who live with mental illness to be able to self-manage. This little list of ideas, has formed a safety net when I feel as if I'm free-falling through a crappy day. I will be using it extensively throughout the festive season!
'...But isn't Christmas supposed to be about thinking about OTHERS, not yourself?'
As a Christian elephant, I say a big 'YESS!!!!' and 'YES AGAIN!!!!', but the reality is, that if you do not look after yourself, then the cupboard will be bare and you will have nothing to share or give. In my experience, being kind to yourself has the effect of that kindness rubbing off on other people.
Being already flared-up at the time of writing, I have no idea what the next days and weeks will contain- that notice reminds me that there are little nuggets of goodness, and even on the darkest day, it is always worth looking for the Light, and taking (even the smallest step in) that direction.
THE CHRONIC ELEPHANT WISHES ALL OF YOU THE BEST POSSIBLE CHRISTMAS, AND HOLIDAYS!
Thank you for reading and sharing The Chronic Elephant Blog, and supporting the Blog during 2018.
SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!
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