@ethMaintaining any boundaries with my Mum (or trying to make them healthy), has always been a constant struggle. So I can relate to boundary issues with family members (or anyone).
Yes, media barrage of constant negative views & only disasters (nothing uplifting or positive) - it too easily overwhelms (& triggers) me. I get the Sunday paper, yet have not watched TV news in Donkey's years...
Self-care - that's always a tricky Bug Bear, that is.
I've been urged to buy myself Christmas presents & Christmas (special) food.
That doesn't come easily or naturally (to buy myself special food or presents) - especially considering dire financials.
The sad fact is that if I don't buy myself special or christmassy food - there won't be any at all.
That's been the case for at least 9 years.
I've booked into a council community Christmas Day lunch (you have to book) - that gives me a bit of festive spirit (nice decorations), music & people to sit with & share the meal.
Somewhere nice to go, instead of being at home on my own (the only other usual option).
They're all strangers of course, never see each other again - usually really nice people.
I've been there before (for several Christmas lunches), when it was much closer to me (only short drive).
They moved it to 30Km away - which is part of why I never got there last year (everything went pear-shaped).
I virtually blacked out (collapsed), whilst attempting to drive there in extreme heat - then had an MRI scan of my brain, a week or so later (to see what wrong).
Scan never found a cause, yet it's never happened again - so hopefully okay.
Adge
