New Year’s Message From StartToTalk

New Year is often a time of happiness. It’s a time for new beginnings, for hope, starting over again. new year resolutions and looking forwards to adventures to come. This year may feel very different for a lot of us. There is so much sadness, anxiety, hurt, loss, exhaustion. loneliness. trauma and a sense of not feeling safe in the world. Many of us are grieving for people we have lost and don’t feel like celebrating. Others are grieving for things we have not been able to do this year as well as all the goals and dreams we weren’t able to fulfil. Others have lost their jobs and way of life and don’t know how to move forwards. Some of us have experienced friendship and relationship breakdown and are not sure who we are anymore.

If you’re struggling this new year, we just want you to know that it’s okay to not feel okay and happy, it’s a perfectly understandable reaction to everything which is happening and has happened this year. We’re also very aware that this time of year can bring back many memories for those who have been previously hurt by others, not felt accepted by others and not felt love and care from others. Many people have spent this holiday completely alone due to estrangement. If this has happened to you, we’re really sorry that you’ve had to live through this pain.

If you’re struggling, feeling worried, scared, anxious, alone or unsafe, please be gentle with yourself and try not to blame yourself, it isn’t your fault. Having feelings is a normal part of being human. Surround yourself with things which help you to feel comforted and soothed at this time. It might be your pet, your favourite music, positive quotations or photos of those you love. You might like to draw, colour, paint or connect with someone through social media. Listen to your feelings and ask yourself what you need at this time. Do you need time to rest? Do you need a ten minute break and a cuppa? Or do you need to watch something on telly which will bring a smile to your face?

Please take good care of yourselves everyone, you’re all in our thoughts at this time.

We hope that the new year brings some rays of hope and sunshine for all of us,

You’re not alone