Christmas fatigue — Scope | Disability forum
Please read our updated community house rules and community guidelines.

Christmas fatigue

Zec Richardson
Zec Richardson Community member Posts: 154 Pioneering
Well Christmas is almost upon us and whilst I look forward to it, I also have a certain amount of dread as well!
Christmas day we are at my mum's for dinner, sitting at the table for a prolonged period raises my pain levels and causes the fatigue to set in!
Boxing day my wifes Mum and step dad and her Dad and wife are coming round, also my two daughters and my 2 year old grandson will be there and I just know I will get sensory overload with the noise and the different conversations at the same time.
Of course I will be viewed as anti social, I have explained too many times why I react like I do but still see peoples reactions to me, I'm not smiling or joining in and so I must be a modern day Scrooge!

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 740 Listener
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • Scroodge12
    Scroodge12 Community member Posts: 1 Listener
    It's a shame a bit more thought about your disability hasn't been talked through ..it's not two late ..I think instead of everyone coming to you all day ..maybe just change it to tea at say 6.. then they won't stay to long  and you just might get through it..you could have a nap in the afternoon in readiness for your company ..good luck ...
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    A great subject to discuss @Zec Richardson I think lots of disabled people struggle at Christmas for so many reasons.  Do you have coping strategies that work for you?
    Scope
    Senior online community officer
  • niceboots
    niceboots Scope Member Posts: 198 Pioneering
    Brilliant subject that not many people think about... I am 30 and have cp that mainly affects my legs (although my arms/hands are slightly affected) this time of year people are very focused on partying, which I'm not a massive fan of!!! Mainly because of other people's assumptions that because I don't drink (because of the Meds!) or join in with dancing much, that I'm not having a good time.... I'm not unsociable, I love going out for meals, or holding dinner parties at mine, or even cooking at other people's! I just get exhausted trying to balance work, socialising and going to watch football and something's got to give!! Another problem with Christmas is people (with all the best intentions) thinking it's sad that I spends Christmas night on my own... Trust me after the day of 'being merry' there's nothing nicer than curling up on the sofa with a good book or film with the dog... so I'm not totally on my own! 
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    I just try and be honest and clear with my friends. I tell them that I have fatigue and joint pain and so if I'm not joining in on drinking and dancing, that's ok! It doesn't mean that I'm not having fun.  I also explain that sometimes I will leave early, I don't need any drama or attention around this, or to be asked to stay on, if I say I need to go, I need to go and like you say @niceboots sometimes there is nothing better than being in your own home, snuggling down for some me time! 


    Scope
    Senior online community officer
  • niceboots
    niceboots Scope Member Posts: 198 Pioneering
    I'm lucky that my close friends completely get it (especially as a couple of them have relatives with cp) so when I say I've had enough they know why, and that I'm not being unsociable. I spend New Year's Eve with them and it's really laid back, we play games and just chill and people come and go as they please. 
    I can't be dealing with drama or attention! It's mainly people that don't know me that well that don't get it!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 740 Listener
    The user and all related content has been deleted.

Brightness