Mood Swings and Mistletoe — Christmas, Counselling and Coping Strategies

After vowing to take baby steps last week, I started my week well. I went for a morning walk and spent the day working in the sanctuary. I ended the day in a good mood and was feeling motivated.

I wondered if it was my cycle, the small changes I have made or a combination of the two. All I knew was I wanted to feel like this again tomorrow, so I would do the same.

When Thursday came around, I decided to give myself a break from the morning walk. I had been working late, my sleep had been up and down, and when I opened the blinds, the thick frost covering the ground affirmed my decision.

I’m not sure whether that decision was the catalyst for my mood taking a slow downward slide, but it took a dip from there. After another late finish at 8 pm, I indulged in a glass of wine. I’d worked hard. I deserved to put my feet up and relax for the evening.

The following day, I woke up ridiculously early. With work on my mind, I took my laptop downstairs and worked from 4 am until 8 am. I had lunch plans that day, and I didn’t want to be thinking about work while I was there.

Lunch was lovely, and after being in all week, it was nice to have a few glasses of wine and socialise with my friends. When I got home, I had a little doze, attempting to catch up on the lost sleep. Later on, when it came to dinner, I mindlessly poured myself a glass of red. It should have come as no surprise to me when I felt…