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Anyone in this position?

Anyone in this position?

Anyone who’s not in a good place this year, please talk to someone, anyone. I hope Christmas can bring you something good if only the tiniest thing and hope that 2026 is a better year for you all, with the peace of mind you are all searching for. Good luck to you all.
 
Atko_pne956 said:
Never felt this bad, I blooming hate Christmas ffs.
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I get weird looks and comments such as "yer miserable bastard" etc when I don't join in with the "Christmas Spirit" etc like Hugs, Shaking Hands, Wishing People Well. Usual nonsense shizzle. Always tell them, by way of reply that "I hate Christmas, I don't celebrate it".

I don't put up a Tree, Decorations, Cards, etc. Never have done. I don't celebrate Nov 5th either.

Not had a Christmas Dinner for what?, 20 years?

I give my Mum and Dad a Card, Money and visit for a quick 15 minute "Hello" but to myself, it is just another day.

Been up since 5am, finished off a shit bottle of £6-78 (ASDA) Aussie Shiraz that I won at work in a raffle. Spent £5 on Raffle Tickets so I guess I am £1-78 up! 😂

Only good thing about Christmas for myself is (1) C. Eve Night and C. Day Night off work (2) Boxing Day footy.

Zero presents bar some money off my parents. Lucky that I am not materialistic. 1030am and I haven't even opened the card. Usually do post 6pm when I can be bothered.

Bottom Line - Treat the day as YOU see fit, not what society tells you. You're in charge.

Stoke 1 PNE 2.
 
wld said:
The same to you jaybeegee.

Something came to me whilst watching The Good Life special the other night (but it’s The Daily Mirror). I think most of us have felt the pressure to have a certain kind of Christmas in the way Margo thought the only way to have Christmas was by someone bringing it in a van, presumably meant to be Harrods. A couple of years ago I was very ill and it had to be a very scaled down Christmas that I thought would be dreadful but it was one of the best I’ve had since my childhood decades ago.

I suppose what I mean is people should have the Christmas they want or they’ve been presented with, not look towards others and be envious or think about what they perceive to be a perfect Christmas.

I know it’s hard for a lot of people and it’s not always possible, it is for us this year because of bereavement. Hopefully everyone can enjoy the day they’re given s much as they can.
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Very sorry to hear about your bereavement wld…

Hopefully you and your family can celebrate Christmas in your own way .

I am sending you all my best wishes 💙
 
Atko_pne956 said:
Thanks for the kind comments all. Its a very challenging time with lots of pressure for many people. I'm keeping my chin up and walked the dog earlier for a bit of normality, looking forward to tomorrow's game for a bit more normality. The lighter nights will be rolling back in the new year so all positive.
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Good news Atko ….

Enjoy the game tomorrow , let’s hope we can get a decent result.

As far as light nights go , things are definitely on the up.
The shortest day is now behind us , roll on Spring 👍🏻
 
PolybiusPNE said:
I've just seen this thread and I understand and empathise with what you are going through. I completely understand the drinking to "dull my mind", and in particular the not wanting to get drunk. I'm in a similar position myself in the midst of divorce. I really hope that you find the support that you need and I'm rooting for you!
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Divorce is shit and this time of year brings it home especially if you had kids. Similar to other advice, if you want to talk about it post or PM but there will be others on here who have been through it. You will get out the other side, keep going.
 
superseed said:
You are absolutely not alone mate and l can sympathise totally with what youve outlined.

I was somewhere similar a few years back. l was in at the deep end in a new job, little to no support/training and run ragged and pulled in every direction...lots more l could add but won't bore you....basically total shite for about 2 years.

As a few others have already said, it clicked into place for me when l stopped taking everything on board and worrying about tasks and deadlines and learned to give less of a fuck about it all.

I just did what l could and clocked off at a reasonable time like every other fucker did! I learned to play the game better and covered my back if deadlines were not met etc.

Hope all goes well for you mate.
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I think this is something I'm going to take on board myself for next year. I've previously mentioned my own issues at work but I've come to realise some things just aren't getting worked up about. After realising a lot of people at the company I work for are absolute shits, I've just come to the conclusion 'fuck them'.
 
shabbagaz said:
I think this is something I'm going to take on board myself for next year. I've previously mentioned my own issues at work but I've come to realise some things just aren't getting worked up about. After realising a lot of people at the company I work for are absolute shits, I've just come to the conclusion 'fuck them'.
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You need to leave that place of work my friend. It isn't worth it.
 
Dannypne7 said:
You need to leave that place of work my friend. It isn't worth it.
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I must stress that I meant the wider company. The department I'm in, we're very tightly knit - we've gone through a lot together and they're the only reason I'm still there.

Still looking for opportunities but no luck yet (don't want to diverge this thread but the work issues thread tells the full story).
 
Shabbagaz, please don't feel that you are diverging this thread. It's not all about me, me, me. Let's use this as a thread for all of us and help each other as much as we can. Used to think talking was seen as being soft, but have been proved so very wrong.
Understand about your work. I was very close to my colleagues but have come to realise that they depended too much on me and I stupidly allowed that to continue putting me into the position where I'm at now although I should have told them I wasn't coping far earlier.
Jack Daniels & wld agree, the best Christmas I've had since childhood is the one during covid just the two of us and a nice afternoon walk.
Muzza, cheers, will ask the doctor about that medication this week.
Polibius, sorry to hear about your ongoing divorce, can imagine it is hard. Rant here if you want.
Atko how are you doing? Let us know.

Please anyone if you want to rant, talk or need help carry on posting here. As I've said it's not all about me, its for all of us.

Best of luck for 2026, let's hope it's be
 
You’re definitely not alone in this — a lot of people hit that breaking point after long-term stress at work, especially when responsibilities keep increasing without proper support.

The fact you’ve been honest with your partner and ex-boss is actually a really strong step. It sounds like things got overwhelming gradually rather than all at once, which makes it harder to notice until you’re already burned out.

Taking some time off with a fit note might actually be exactly what you need right now to reset a bit. Focus on stabilizing first (sleep, routine, cutting back on alcohol if you can), then think about next steps work-wise.

Plenty of people rebuild after situations like this — it doesn’t define you.
 
Okay, been a while so I've got an update if you're interested.
Firstly how are we all? Need to ask as I've finally learnt that talking is so very important and we have to show empathy.
I've currently got five charities helping me out for various purposes and am in training to become a peer mentor myself so I can use my experience to help others which is going well. Slowly getting a grip on the alcohol and being able to appreciate life again.
Thank you all who responded or liked, it really means a lot to me.
Really hope you are all okay and feel free to use this thread if you want a rant about anything - it really can help
 
jaybeegee said:
Okay, been a while so I've got an update if you're interested.
Firstly how are we all? Need to ask as I've finally learnt that talking is so very important and we have to show empathy.
I've currently got five charities helping me out for various purposes and am in training to become a peer mentor myself so I can use my experience to help others which is going well. Slowly getting a grip on the alcohol and being able to appreciate life again.
Thank you all who responded or liked, it really means a lot to me.
Really hope you are all okay and feel free to use this thread if you want a rant about anything - it really can help
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Good to hear, you keep going. Hope it just keeps getting better and better for you. Was wondering how you were was going to ask just now but you beat me to it!
 
jaybeegee said:
Okay, been a while so I've got an update if you're interested.
Firstly how are we all? Need to ask as I've finally learnt that talking is so very important and we have to show empathy.
I've currently got five charities helping me out for various purposes and am in training to become a peer mentor myself so I can use my experience to help others which is going well. Slowly getting a grip on the alcohol and being able to appreciate life again.
Thank you all who responded or liked, it really means a lot to me.
Really hope you are all okay and feel free to use this thread if you want a rant about anything - it really can help
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Great to hear that things are looking up JBG 👍🏻👍🏻
 
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