https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:20:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1114844 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 17:30:18 +0000 Refugee 1114844@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What really impacts me this time of year is the lack of fresh air and day light. &nbsp;When weather permits, my daily exercise includes a long walk outside. &nbsp;With the bitter cold, snow, ice, and the very short days it just isn't feasible or safe to go for walks where I live. &nbsp;On days like today, when it sunny out, I bundle up and just go stand outside for a few minutes and let the sun shine on my face. &nbsp;Today it is so bright I had to do it with my eyes closed and I'm sure I looked ridiculous standing there in front of my house with my eyes closed, but I don't care. &nbsp;This simple act really helps perk me up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1114701 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 12:32:05 +0000 Aquamarine 1114701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing, ladies. Living in the moment has always been a challenge for me, but it is a goal worth striving for. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1114638 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 07:47:24 +0000 Adelfa 1114638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for this reminder. I'm doing horrible on sleep--both amount and quality--and I know this won't work. My excuse is that the only time I seem to have for unpacking boxes is late. Need to make another plan!</p> <p>I'm very sorry for your loss. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1114466 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 02:40:02 +0000 Elly 1114466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not a big holiday person to begin with and this year is hard. I've been super busy with school and the job and traveling. Plus, my BF is working the complete opposite shift (I work weekday days, he works weekdays and weekends graves) and is at work before I get home and works and sleeps all weekend when I am home-- I haven't seen him for more than a couple hours since September. My parents are having a hard time communicating, which makes family life tense. I just celebrated the one year anniversary of my grandmother's passing December 9th, so last year at the holidays we had just lost her after caring for her during her battle with cancer. Since December, I've lost two other family members and three young friends. <br />Plus, the new job only gives me the day of off (without pay) so it will be hard to visit family. </p> <p>Not improving my grinch mood!</p> <p>That said, today my folks and I went and cut down a Christmas tree and laughed, so my tip is to live in the moment rather than trying to have things perfect. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1114254 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 22:02:43 +0000 deb 1114254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no advise. I just ate a box of Trader Joes Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches. Yes, all four. I should have read this first! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1114191 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 21:01:45 +0000 MsMary 1114191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aquamarine, I'm so sorry for your loss!</p> <p>Peri, I also decided some years ago that everything about the holidays, including the tree, is optional.&nbsp; Like you, I love it when I have it and I love not having to do it when I don't feel so moved.</p> <p>This year I started the season feeling a little pitiful because I left Mr. K in April and therefore also left my beloved home of 19 years for a small apartment.&nbsp; My son is in Japan with the Marine Corps and my parents are out of town and quite elderly.&nbsp; And my best friend seems to have taken a powder as well.&nbsp; I remembered those days of being a young mom when I felt overwhelmed at Christmas time and I would have given anything to have all that stress and hustle and bustle back!</p> <p>But guess what?&nbsp; I decided to jump into the season with both feet and it's working out really well!&nbsp; I bought myself a new Christmas tree and managed to retrieve most of my ornaments from the house (via hostage negotiations that would have made the CIA proud!), I have been going to parties and events non-stop for more than a week and have more planned all the way to New Year's Eve, I am doing the baking and the gifting, and I find myself more in the spirit than I have been in years.&nbsp; (Maybe because there's no Grinch on-site to bring me down!)&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>The lessons?&nbsp; Yes -- positive people!&nbsp; Yes - simplify and do only what you want to do!&nbsp; And I have been keeping up with my exercise and that always makes everything better.&nbsp; (I'm taking the Fifth on food and sleep, I'm afraid... )</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1114185 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 20:57:14 +0000 Caro in Oz 1114185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We have created our own simple rituals &amp; vary them depending on how much energy we have. I agree exercise, sleep&nbsp;&amp; eating well are most important. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1114183 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 20:55:32 +0000 Lyn D. 1114183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the reminder A!<br />My Yoga teacher said yesterday that although we might feel that we haven't the time for our practice right now, right now is when we need it the most!<br />I am trying&nbsp;not to overdo it at the moment too. It can be difficult as I have a seasonal casual job to add to the mix.<br />&nbsp;Also in Australia our children need new text books for 2014, and I like to sell the old as well. Last year I left this to the new year and it worked out fine.<br />A recent death in the family does create extra emotional strain, even down to the logistics of where and who with to celebrate.<br />I hope things work-out for you and your family! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1114051 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 18:31:15 +0000 Peri 1114051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't feel any need to put up a tree unless I really want one. Some people actually find that shocking! No Christmas tree?? Gasp!</p> <p>It's true, I love my tree when I have it. But, it is also a lot of work to put up, and worse to take down. I don't have kids, my husband doesn't really care, so it's my choice. If I feel too pushed..no decorating. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1113976 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 17:18:37 +0000 minimalist 1113976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great tips, Aquamarine. Sleep is the biggest challenge for me these days, exercise a close second. </p> <p>Simplifying is going well, as is comfortable clothing.</p> <p>A coping mechanism that's essential for me is being very selective about which people I spend time with. This means limiting some.contacts on the one hand, and making the effort to be present for life-affirming interaction on the other. Bf's ex and her wife are coming over today for another Homeland marathon, and I'm very much looking forward to their company. That's not holiday-specific per se, but it is related in that surrounding myself with comfortable, grounded, positive people who share my core values is key to making it through a difficult season.</p> <p>Sufficient solitude is also important, for me. </p> <p>I'm sorry for your loss, Aquamarine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1113931 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 16:22:37 +0000 amiable 1113931@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for this - it's exactly what I needed to read this morning. &nbsp;</p> <p>I think sleep has been my nemesis lately - I'm going to bed late and not sleeping well. &nbsp;I have been keeping up on exercising (this morning it was even outside in the frigid air because I needed space). &nbsp;And I'm becoming more and more aware that I need to be careful of my food (especial carb) intake.</p> <p>I'm definitely simplifying, and so far, it's a lifesaver. &nbsp;I think I'll buy some sleepytime tea today and make sleep a big priority. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1113902 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 15:41:35 +0000 Alexandra 1113902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those are all great ways to cope with any sort of stress. Sleep and exercise are super important to me so I've made them non-negotiable. Thank you for sharing. I hope this holiday season goes easily for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/coping-during-the-season#post-1113855 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 12:56:10 +0000 Aquamarine 1113855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It seems like a few of us are struggling emotionally this holiday season. I thought I would start a thread on how we can cope. </p> <p>A close family member has passed away and it's been a challenge to balance the commitments of the season with the need to mourn. From past experience, I have learned the following works for me:</p> <p>- Taking care of myself physically. That means trying to incorporate exercise into most days, preferably outdoors. This is challenging because we now have ice and snow everywhere. I have been known to randomly shovel snow around my home (moving piles around!) if I cannot get out onto the roads to walk safely.</p> <p>- Sleep! Early to bed for me works wonders and gives me strength to face the next day. It helps for me to have a light read before bed.</p> <p>- Food. I learned a long time ago that what I put in my mouth has a direct correlation to how I feel. It's especially challenging of course this time of year, but if 80% of my day consists of good choices I consider it a victory.</p> <p>- To keep this somewhat fashion-related, I need comfortable yet flattering clothes to help me feel as good as is possible. Nothing binding or fussy. The clothes must be a supporting player, not the star. If I can look in the mirror and feel presentable, It's another weapon in my arsenal to combat the blues. Prior to YLF, this was foreign to me. Thanks, Angie.</p> <p>-Simplify. If the cookies don't get baked or the cards don't get written, it's OK. The religious part of the season is most important to me, and while I can't be a downer for the kids' sake, so much of the holiday madness is self-imposed. Stripping it of the all the extras brings the ultimate joy to the forefront, and that gives me strength.</p> <p>Over to you. Please share your coping strategies if this is a tough season for you. </p>