Pulling yourself together.

Dear Nelliemoser
You say you've got into a despairing mess with negative feelings for months.
I think you need to talk to your doctor because you sound depressed.
I second Cornergran's advice to contact family and friends . Sharing your feelings will help. Keeping a gratitude diary is a good idea too.
Doing a mindfulness course is a good idea but perhaps better postponed until you are feeling better.
You can always find some sunshine abroad if you want a holiday.

Am really surprised that this thread has been picked up again but this cold weather really makes me feel low.
I do find there are small things that mean I start to get some control back.
Even washing my hair and putting some makeup on. Tidying up the kitchen etc.
Where do other people start?

Lots of good advice here for you nellie - so just want to send and good wishes.

The winter drags on so, and I hope very much that when a little warmth seeps through th4e damp it will help you to take all these very sensible steps. x

Bluebelle and others, thanks for the support. I don't think I am depressed as such. I can still enjoy things.
I find myself dwelling too much on things and perhaps making too much of set backs.

I get very angry with myself when things go wrong. I have always been prone to mislaying things and that makes me angry.
I do feel rather isolated my good friend for years emigrated and I do not now have any one who I can really talk to. I know people but they do not fill the confidante role.
My OH has Aspergers and is really not good at empathy at all.
I am still quite a shy person, some would be surprised by that. I am working on it.

If you are prone to negative thoughts and self blame nellie, then have a look at CBT approaches, not for everyone but CBT can help get thoughts back under control. Yes, Mindfulness might also be useful.

This winter seems to be lasting for years, it’s even harder with no one to talk to with honesty. I know that one, it’s a lonely old place. Take care. Let us know how you are?

Hope you soon feel very much better loopyloo and I think you need to be very kind to yourself. When DH was also unable to do stuff in the house I organised a cleaning company to come round and talk to me with a view to getting the house organised and back on an even keel. They have been terrific and did so much in a very short time because they were well and it is their job. It was nowhere near as expensive as I thought it might be and they estimated how much it would be to get everything which I wanted done before I agreed to anything. I now have them regularly to keep everything as I want it and it has made me feel so much happier with my home. I suggest that this might be the very thing for you too.

That will teach me to look at dates as I didn't realise it was an old thread and no longer about the op. Well I hope Loopyloo is well and on top of things now and that Nellie will soon be sorted. I know as much as I need to about alternative religions so that is me outa here!

Synonymous, I had flu and then shingles and was wiped out for weeks, during which time the house cracked under the weight of the dirt, which somehow my husband failed to notice at all.
A local cleaning firm came round, assessed it, and charged £150 to clean.... everything. Skirting boards washed, furniture pulled out, bathroom wall-tiles squeegeed, insides of window cleaned, kitchen cupboards emptied and wiped down. The only thing they didn't do was the ovens, which are extra.
Best £150 I've ever spent.

Get a cleaner

I have been away for a few days and I have not done anything much on the program I was using.

I now have a dreadful cold and just want to curl up in bed.

Tell yourself to only spend 10 minutes a day straightening up. Or every time I stand up pick up only 1 out of place thing and put it back. Next thing I know it is already looking better and I haven't exhausted myself doing what I don't feel like doing. Be kind to yourself and find some joy each day. Soon you will be on the mend.