ketteringram

just wondering how people are getting on. I know from personal experience that this time of year is the time we tend to hide our feelings for fear of ruining the run-up-to, and Christmas itself. I personally always feel a burden, or if not that, even lost and lonely around this time of year, and no matter what people say, I will always feel that way. I am now aware that this cannot be helped, but am also aware that I am not alone in feeling this way, which of course makes coping with it a little bit easier.
I had a decent "festive" period last year, I did lots of things, spent a lot of time with people I care about and my younger brother became a father in early December, which gave me some perspective. A good friend died on Christmas Eve which seemed both devastating and merciful, as he was very ill for a long time. This will be the first Christmas knowing for a fact he won't be around, which is saddening, but I find myself smiling at the moment cos every thought I have of him is a funny one and thankfully I don't picture him dying in a hospital bed. I reckon Christmas Eve might be a bit more emotional though, but I am no longer scared or embarrassed about being emotional, well not in private or amongst closest friends anyway! 
Why the waffle? Well the message is quite simple. It's okay to feel like crap. It's okay to have feelings. It's not okay to feel that you shouldn't bother anyone. It's not okay to keep it all in. If this time of year affects you like it does me, or even in any way, and you may not have that self-awareness that I have that kind of neutralises the misery and sadness a little bit, then please, just say something to someone, even if it just to vent, it will amaze you how much it helps you cope.
I know it's still a month away from the day, but we are already in Christmas mode around me! Please be well and remember, It's okay to not be okay. x

Bit wonky like but I don’t dare say owt

Does the current Mrs David know about her arrival? 

Does the current Mrs David know about her arrival? 

Does the current Mrs David know about her arrival? 

'Been' in there myself! At night time though. Amazing views. 

The Shard. 

I broke my s7 a few weeks ago so was looking at the likes of the huawei, s8 and Google pixel.
I'd have had the pixel out of any of those but couldn't justify £450. So looked at the Samsung a5 or the Motorola g5s, half the price and to be honest I have hardly notoced the difference going from the s7 to the a5 outside of the screen size and battery lasting much longer on the a5.

After 2 years of plus size phones just fancied a change, something I could use in one hand rather than 2. Take a hit on the smaller battery but then it doesn't have a large screen to power. Away from stats on a sales sheet do you notice an hour less battery in the real world? My house is littered with wireless pads now, just place it on for a quick boost.

... It's all the cake and biscuits you eat that does that. 

Was that taken when you got to Plymouth, or just  before you set off?? 

I guess no one does. As said, be open minded. Hope you don't have too long to wait, and that it goes well! 

And those ******** on a night flight that keep their overhead reading light on, when they're not reading. Should be just thrown out of the door. 

Kettles are like Androids, I'm dumbfounded people still use them. Hot water dispensers are the way to go, they pour out 250ml water each time, only boil what you need. 

Thanks for the messages all. I've got an appointment tomorrow AM with my doctor which will hopefully add a bit of clarity to things. I knew I was coming down with depression in around December time but left it until April to get the diagnosis. The sadness I could deal with but the intrusive thoughts and doubts about my relationship are something different altogether. I've felt absolutely empty all day today and just don't know how to get better.
I've got people around me to speak to and am seeing a counsellor but as of yet, nothing's really changed. I don't really know what depression feels like exactly but I think there might be a few more issues than just that unfortunately. I've got a girlfriend I love to bits who loves me and will be there for me, I just pray I don't end up forcing her away and ruining everything.

People taking pictures on iPads.
As someone with a passion for photography, a little piece of me dies everytime.

Modern poetry, God
I hate that
And having no milk.
 
There ya go, turned it into a haiku (I think). Proper culture that is.

It's not something that happens very often, but every time I need to write and post a letter, I seem to need to buy a new pack of envelopes. Every single time. 

It's not something that happens very often, but every time I need to write and post a letter, I seem to need to buy a new pack of envelopes. Every single time. 

Just checking in...been a lot better lately but for some reason tonight something flipped a switch and it all came flooding back. All the negativity and misery consumed me for a good half hour/hour and I did something I'm not proud of. I immediately regretted it - hence why I now find myself here.
Aside from that I actually found something that massively helped me lately and that was painting (art not decorating lol). I'm a keen artist and haven't picked up a brush in a couple of years but its fair to say that doing so saved me in many respects. It offered me an escape - somewhere I could totally forget about my troubles and focus on one thing only. Ironically the picture I decided to paint bears a lot of meaning to the causes of my depression but I really feel that it has provided a massive release for me. I have found the whole process of doing this hugely cathartic but honestly feel it has helped and that's where I realise it could help others too. 
I'm not saying that painting is the cure to everyone's problems - but I feel like doing something you truly love and can set your mind to (especially something you love, but haven't had the time to do) can really help lift you up a little. Maybe its writing a song or making music - whatever you find best or you really enjoy. My only advice would be to do that. For me it has helped me express my sadness, the painting feels like a physical embodiment/representation of my issues and that now I've flushed them out onto the canvas, I can maybe get rid of them in some way. Like I say - this may not be for everyone but doing something like this can really help. 
I hope you're all doing as well as possible, LboroRAM x

It annoys me...... When I go to open a door that opens towards me, and someone on the other side opens it at the same time, unknowingly smashing the handle into my hand. It's not that which annoys me as such. It's that I then always seem to apologise to the other person! 

It annoys me...... When I go to open a door that opens towards me, and someone on the other side opens it at the same time, unknowingly smashing the handle into my hand. It's not that which annoys me as such. It's that I then always seem to apologise to the other person! 

It annoys me...... When I go to open a door that opens towards me, and someone on the other side opens it at the same time, unknowingly smashing the handle into my hand. It's not that which annoys me as such. It's that I then always seem to apologise to the other person! 

@David 
Don't mock this, but I think you'd see a big improvement by going gluten free for a month. If it makes no difference, so be it. Life changer for my Mrs though!