Shelbycat03 I so know what you are talking about when you say it is hard to go out. There are days when I get all ready, take my shower, get dressed and am ready to leave and I just sit down because I just don't have the energy to go. It is frustrating because I do feel better when I go out but getting out the door is so hard. I can think of a thousand reasons why I should just wait another day.

Absolutely winter months are more difficult to manage depression. In addition to the holidays, memories, anniversaries, cold....we aren't outside as much and the sun doesnt shine as much and our bodies make vitamin D from our exposure to the sun. The lack of sinshine/vitamin D can cause depression symptoms that usually feel manageable to make us feel like we are unraveling. I have these periods of time that can be hours, days or weeks where I feel so hollow and dark inside. At times it feels like my sanity is slipping through my fingers. I find it a challenge because I know getting myself out of my house, out of my routine will shake things up or reboot my thought processes but I am an extreme homebody. I hate leaving home for any reason and I will find any excuse to not have to leave. It gets so bad that I cancel appointments....even DR appts....because I just cannot get myself to leave. It is a constant battle I wage within myself daily. When I do leave, my anxiety is high, the cold affects my pain level and my body pays the price for the next few days. I really dont know how to manage it. Drs just say, "just do it, go, get out" but when they dont have a mental problem associated with it, it is hard fot them to empathize with those of us who do. Spring, summer and fall are much easier for me to manage my depression because I will sit out on my porch steps in the sunshine for 20 minutes every day. I take a vitamin D supplement because my lab tests showed I was very deficient but the supplement hasn't made a great deal of difference for me. Winter is hard... and for many of us. I wish you all the best. 🍃Be Well🍃

@A MyFibroTeam Member. No need to apologize! There is alot I cant explain in a short post on here & every situation is not "cookie cutter" that everybody out there fits into. I was just making a point. Not all hoarding situations are as bad as you see on TV. It's still not a healthy environment to live in but as long as the animals are fed, watered, sheltered & receive regular medical care, our local health dept doesnt consider it a problem & the actual number of pets a person can own is different than what most people think is legal. Each state has different laws re this & it may be variable by county as well. Anyway, it's not a subject I really care to get into anymore because I'm not involved in any way. Also, I just want to make a note of this while it is on my mind: setting boundaries do not mean cutting people out of your life. It can be that extreme if that is what is needed but all situations are different as are people. The boundaries mean setting limits to protect yourself. Deciding what is enough & knowing when to walk away & breathe & let there be space between people when one feels it is necessary for their well being. I have cut alot of unhealthy & dangerous people out of my life over the years. My family falls into the "boundaries" category to where I had to learn my limits with them & they have to accept my decision but I dont have to stop being family with them. Many people dont understand that about setting boundaries; it is not a black or white issue; it is a rainbow of moderation that you learn over time what works for you.

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A MyFibro...

@A MyFibroTeam Member No plans, it's just too cold to venture out for me. It is 4° right now & with wind chill it is -15° There is nothing so important to be done that would require me going out in it, risking having car trouble, etc. Plus I dont live in town; I live rural so we "country folks" go get what we need before a winter weather system hits & then we hunker down. Even in good weather, I dont tend to do things socially due to agoraphobia / anxiety/panic attacks. I'm a homebody. I get done what has to be done and I get back home. I hope you have a sweet Valentine's day. ❤

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A MyFibro...

For some reason I really struggle with Thanksgiving and Christmas more the January. It is a relief to get through the holidays and back in my normal routine but winter is always a struggle because it is often gloomy and the weather changes a lot. This week is bad for me because I'm in surgery prep so off my pain meds. Everything hurts. It is a struggle just to use my hands much less the rest of my body.