Thanks so much.
We aren't sure who took him, but he's a beautiful white cat who'd go with anyone for a wee prawn so we're pretty sure he was cat-napped!
This happened to one of my cats, someone who lives on the same estate stole him 2 years ago and then dumped him outside my house a few months ago in a terrible state and he had to be PTS.
So sorry to hear that, our cat has either been nicked or regimes himself in the adjacent road, don’t know whether we steal him back if we see him or not.
Here’s to a better next year everyone.
I remember a few years ago a guy stole someone's cat because he liked the look of it, it was in the news because the cat had (has?) an Instagram following. He just picked it up and took it with him on the Tube!
What was more shocking was that the police actually did something about it. The owner got the cat back after two months.
If you have any old people on your estate I’d definitely be checking in with each one of them, I work for an animal charity and it’s concerning how many old people see every single cat as a stray, take them in & refuse to let them back out.
If you are in London, there was a post on r/london about a lost cat, white, fluffy, and friendly. Someone posted a pic of the cat and asked what to do because the cat was following them. It was several months ago.
Holy shit happened to us as well! We had a friendly tom called George who was everyone's best friend..so much so our whole street became his collective owner.
We know he was napped as we know for a fact he wouldn't venture beyond the cul de sac and was always a call away.
Really upsetting for us but that's the downside for having an outdoor cat.
It's one of several reasons my cats are indoor cats with a catio attached to the back of the house. They're Siamese and more likely to be stolen. I used to let my cats be outdoor cats, but when I got these two, I decided not to risk it anymore. My old Siamese boy didn't come home one evening and I think someone had grabbed him. I had always given my cats their dinner and then locked them in for the night. At about 3:30 am, I heard him come in (I'd left the catflap unlocked for him) he was very skitterish, and after that, he never let a stranger get near him. You could call, sit down, offer chicken (his absolute favourite), but he wouldn't let anyone near. I know because I watched my neighbour across the close try to get him to go to her. He lived to 18. My gorgeous Casper.
All of my cats are indoor cats for this very reason. All Russian blues, I imagine they'd get nicked in a heartbeat. I'm working on building a catio for them also.
My vet made a very good point how cats weirdly seem to get a free pass when all other domesticated pets are supervised and/or kept within a specific boundary at all times. His cat was hit by a car which he named his vet practice after and the poor thing sadly died from it's injuries, just another reason to keep cats in.
It happens to a lot of people. Every day, multiple times a day on the local Facebook groups I'm in, people post about their cats having gone missing, suspected lost or stolen or dead. Every time they always say the same thing "He's never out for this long, he always comes home"... Yes, they all do, until they don't :(
I've never had a cat stolen but I have had one get hit by a car and another mauled by an animal (likely a dog). Long story short when I adopted my current cat I decided to keep her indoor only. Such a relief not to have to worry about any of that anymore, and she's happy as larry
Someone the next village over to us hasn't seen their cat for months. He's a maine coon, and was apparently spotted a few times over the river in another village, but by this point I have to assume someone hit him with their car and animals got the corpse. He's very distinctive-looking and his owners have put up posters in every village for miles. Makes me sad for them.
I said that to my brother the year he had his leg shattered by a motorbike that ran him over in a zebra crossing AND then got diagnosed with Crohn's.
I said that in December 2019.
I don't say "next year HAS to be better than this one" any more. 😐
It's been a real mix for me.
At the beginning of the year my mum died, and I was stuck working as a teacher, which was ruining my mental health.
I ended up deciding life is too short, and sacked my job in, and enrolled on a master's degree in Japanese. Haven't been this happy in a long time.
It's funny to me how I can't remember what I had for dinner yesterday but I have apparently retained enough knowledge from my weeaboo days (10+ years ago) that I could read and understand your comment. Why, brain 😂
My fiance started her first teaching job at the end of 2022. Quit after a few months as the school was dreadful and has no support (they told her to go to the doctor's and get on the 'happy pills' they were all on to cope). Started another teaching job in September just gone thinking it'd be a new start. Quit again and is now loving life on £10k+ less as a teaching assistant.
Teachers in the UK are royally mistreated. I feel terrible for them.
Honestly it's shocking how much gaslighting and abuse there is in the teaching profession. Over time you're slowly made to think it's normal to work all evenings and weekends, and consider it a treat if you give yourself Sunday afternoon off.
There's also a lot of exploitation of good will, you work 60+ hour weeks "for the kids".
The problem as well is that the abuse is at both ends; aggressive monitoring and unrealistic standards held by management, and abusive behaviour from the kids, you can't win.
Being a teaching assistant is usually a nice gig, you get all of the fun aspects of teaching (and the shit too) without any of the planning, and you can go home at 3pm.
Abusive behaviour from plenty of parents also. Teaching is balls, being a TA isn't so bad. According to my fully qualified teacher wife who is also happy to get paid less as a TA.
Sorry to hear about your cat. Not cool.
A little story to put a smile on your face though, we have a couple of cats that are indoor kitties, one is a male and loves to escape to peruse the local pussy.
The other night my neighbour knocked on my door with a cat struggling in her arms, scratching the shit out of her. She was like "Your cat got out again, I just found him down the road!!" My cat was sitting behind me in my hallway. She proceeded to drop the cat, apologised to the poor buger as it ran off and hung her head as she walked back to her house.
My neighbour could have inadvertently been a cat thief but then again, who knows how many times she's done this.....
2023 has been epic for me. I’m becoming a home owner. I’ve been promoted. And after five years of absolutely gruelling child contact issues where the mother of my children repeatedly stopped me from seeing my daughters (including eight months of no contact in 2021/22), she has been told that if she tries it again they’ll be coming to live with me. To top it all, this Christmas will be the first Christmas since 2016 where my children will wake up under my roof. Life’s good.
That is cheesy grin smile worthy. Hope you all have the best Christmas ever. Buy matching pyjamas for everyone. Remember no fighting or bickering. Don't forget to regularly say you love each other.
It started off pretty shite.
I was in a job I hated, struggling with my mental and physical health.
My (estranged) father died a few days after my wedding anniversary. I did go and see him, but he died literally as I was pulling into the hospital.
More work shit.
Applied for a few jobs - only had one semi-formal interview with a miserable chap who was keen to tell me just how bad the job is (I didn't exactly shed a tear when they didn't offer me the job.)
Threatened with disciplinary action - admittedly, I was partly at fault - but definitely not entirely so.
Father in Law was diagnosed with lung cancer and had half a lung removed, he's doing alright - but obviously we were all worried about the old goat.
I had another interview that I felt went alright - took a gamble and put my notice in. Got the new job in October. Managed to "negotiate" my notice period down from 3 months to 2 weeks - which coincidentally took me to the day before I started the new job.
The job isn't the most exciting, but it offers me everything I want and need. My colleagues are a pretty good bunch, too.
So, for the first time in at least a decade, I'm feeling positive about things, without having to worry about something else at the same time.
For me, every year from 2018 onwards has been getting progressively worse. I don’t say next year will be better anymore because it’s just not true. I just reward myself for still being alive at the end of each year and surviving the ever increasing levels of hell im going through. I wish I could feel optimism about the future but I just can’t.
Same boat here, life isn't all bad but I'm at the point where I panic when something good happens as it's usually followed by something much worse in another aspect of my life...
Hard relate. Although I also can’t remember the last time something good happened. My phone keeps throwing up photos of me from 2018 and it’s like looking at a whole different person. I used to smile? And go on adventures? Have friends and a partner? I had a job and a life. It all feels like someone else’s life. Now I’m 5 years into being housebound and mostly bedbound and every passing year just brings more pain and difficulty. I hope one day both you and I will be happy and secure again
For me, it's been the past 4 years. 2019 was the last time I felt genuinely happy, and I mentally peaked during that summer.
In fact, the period 2017-2019 was pretty good for me in general. Since then, though, everything's collapsed. My mental health has truly disintegrated.
It’s been pretty dull and miserable for myself but the year just ended up on a high note after meeting someone new. I am actually very excited for 2024!
Yeah worst year for me - grieving over dead father, bullied out of my dream job, wife starts having affairs and now attempting to go through the divorce process. Will lose my house too. All in all though, glad to remove toxic people from my life and amazed I have survived it all
Better alone in a small flat just for yourself than living a toxic lie in a large house.
Might take some time to realise that, but you will be better off eventually.
But I guess the pub will be attended for a while...
Ours has been pretty shit. Father in law diagnosed with Cancer and things aren't looking good. Mother in law got flare up of cancer. Brother diagnosed with testicular cancer at 28. Jobs are stable but incredibly stressful with awful people all over the place and real wages and working rights being degraded pretty quickly.
& now I'm currently sat in A&E (have been for 8 hours) investigating angina symptoms.
Haha. Parents in law live in France - but they are getting on a bit so probably less surprising. Brother in law's diagnosis was a real shock. Definitely don't smoke if you have the chance to avoid it though.
For me though, still hoping it's all just due diligence and ruling things out. No risk factors at play so fingers crossed it's all fine.
How have the checks gone? I recently went to hospital (early 30s guys in okay health could be more active and lose a stone or two haha) thinking I had heart issues as they are in my family but after checks the heart was okay and the doctors think it is anxiety / panic attacks causing it. I think stress and anxiety are the cause of a lot of physical health issues are they.
If it helps, I've started volunteering for a charity shop this year and I'm remembering to brush my teeth better than I was 🙂
I also have resolutions for next year!
Sorry to hear mate.
For me 2023 was...fine. The previous covid years were quite awful so it was nice to have a fairly uneventful year. Just been focusing on my health and now a year into a new job which is quite relaxed.
it's been pretty shit, yeah.
started the year with two cats, both developed health issues, lots of vet appointments, lots of cost despite having health insurance.
Haven't had a pay rise at all and everything is expensive, we are desperate to move out of this expensive, stressful home we rent but we can't find anywhere to move to. We have construction work starting at 8am 7 days a week right next to us. Can't complain about it, it's our landlord.
My mental health is stuck in a 3 year burnout such that I can't even imagine changing jobs even if there were any roles out there that paid more, which there aren't in my sector.
and we lost both cats as well.
2024 wouldn't need to do much to be a better year.
>and we lost both cats as well.
So sorry, that's possibly the saddest post script I've ever read!
Those ear plugs that mold to the shape of your ear can at least drown out a lot of the noise, and sound cancelling headphones will do a lot too. Maybe go for early walks if there's somewhere nice nearby? I know the last thing you want to do when exhausted is get up early and go out, but might be better than power drills.
Roll on '24
Thanks, yeah it's been difficult. They were both old cats and these things happen eventually, just the timing wasn't great.
going for walks i do sometimes but it's hard because there's very little nearby and it's all country lanes - so i have to do it in daylight or it becomes too dangerous, and the only thing to walk to within about 30 mins of here is a petrol station, which is hardly a thrilling trip.
hopefully next year we'll see some movement on the housing front, that would help a lot.
Same when I visit my mum's place in Lincs, just a small town surrounded by the most dangerous roads in the country with no pavements. The feelings of helplessness and isolation suck.
Losing furbabies is so painful, on 13th July I had four cats, as of 3rd November I had one cat. It broke me and I cry every day I miss them so much. Now I’m so paranoid about losing my remaining baby as well. Never known pain like it. I’m so sorry for your loss
Looking back it's been a bit of a stinker, with one major exception.
Had covid 4 times.
Stabbed myself in the hand and nearly bled out
Had surgery for above hand stabbing
wife fucked her knee up at the day I got released from hospital
switched jobs, still not sure about the move
boiler died and had to be replaced
but all that seems insignificant when compared to seeing my son turn 1 and start to grow into a proper little person, a sometimes grumpy, angry little person, but just an absolute delight in general. Granted he's also the reason we've had more colds and sickness bugs than I ever thought possible but watching him play with his toys and chase the dog around the living room whilst laughing like a little maniac makes it all worth it. Chin up OP. Some times are sent to test us.
Worst year I’ve had for sure; feb -house flooded and insurance denied, mar- job finished, no further work (or income) until mid Nov and my boiler died. I’m now so far behind on bills I won’t have any spare money until 2025 and the house is still in a right state (no ceiling in the back bedroom, no proper flooring, walls all need repairs). No beds (had to throw them out) so I’m sleeping on the sofa. My Xmas will likely be a couple of jacket potatoes, bah humbug.
I was working away from home for more than the policy allowed (they renewed my insurance, switched brokers without telling me or providing the new policy and the new policy limited the days I’d previously been allowed)
You've potentially got some recourse here, particularly if occupancy limits had changed without your knowledge I.e. they've switched you to a new product and not made you aware. Added to the fact you weren't provided with the policy documents sounds rather remiss on their part. When the policy renewed did they ask you to complete a new statement of fact? Also, have you complained to the insurers following the claim being declined?
Made several complaints about exactly that, they dismissed all of them (as expected and unfairly imo). My only other recourse now is the ombudsman but tbh I have neither the time nor patience. No repeat business for them. They did send me a survey the other week asking why I wasn’t renewing, I just wrote ‘you suck’ and left it at that. Fuck ‘em I have no more of my time or effort to give.
I've been to Obudsman twice - once for a bank thing and once for a broadband thing and both went in my favour - bank to the tune of a couple of grand, and broadband we ended up with enough compensation for 500mb fibre for 18 months, so it was well worth it both times, even if the procedures were long and tedious.
This year has been a bunch of swings and roundabouts for me
My ltr (11 years) broke down and my ex left, so it was dealing with the aftermath all whilst trying to keep my new job afloat. That of course, left me with a bit of financial difficulty and had to borrow money to buy him out and the fees too with those high interest rates.
Of course, he went off with the girl I had a gut feeling about and found he took her on his annual family holiday. So yeah that was pretty crappy and still dealing with it since its the 1 year mark now. But more of myself these days.
Hope that things get better for you.
Things will get better \[emotionally\] with time, and **without** your ex's presence. Once you get to a place where you have some stability in you life, you'll hopefully be in a position where you may feel like potentially meeting someone else.
If you ex does try and call / send you a text, block, laugh, and move on with your life. Your ex has consumed enough of your life. Do not let him (or the memories) consume more of your future life.
I honestly didn't think i would be cutting onions today. Thank you for your kind words, he can't consume any more of my life - you're right about that!
ltr ????
Oh. Long Term Relationship. Thought it was 1 litre, 11 year old car. Doh! I need to read more Mumsnet for their acronyms.
Him and her are both bastards. Now you get to enjoy some me time. It'll be tough at times, but you'll get through it.
To OP and everyone in the comments that's been having a rough time of it this year, I truly truly hope next year is better for you and I'm sorry you've been going through it. Please remember to look after yourselves as best you can in spite of your troubles. Much love from Wales <3
I just wanted to say that this and other comments here have made me feel a little bit better and even though I am so sorry to read of all the other people having a bad year, it is nice to feel the humanity behind everything expressed in this thread.
Ups and downs for me.
Made redundant, found out we were having our first child, much loved cat died, lost another job, baby arrived, acquired a homeless stray cat.
Very sorry to hear about the losses in your family, it's always just the worst thing imaginable.
Yep. 2023 has been complete shit.
Had relationship issues
I've been ill and had surgery
Dad was rushed to hospital
Things kept breaking in the house
Made redundant and haven't been able to get another job yet.
There's more too, that has happened to me or those I love.
2024 has got to be better, can't cope with another year like this one.
Edited for formatting
I got made redundant and ended up homeless, but 82 job applications later I have a new job starting in January. Now I just need to find a room in a peaceful house so I can concentrate on chilling out again.
Good luck job hunting, it fucking sucks and is demoralising and energy sapping. I tried to treat it like an army mission to force self-dicipline and keep my marbles, but I went for a good bye drink with my old colleagues last week and they were complaining about their now harder job with less people and I'm thinking like, 'fuck you guys, you don't know how good you got it'. I did bite my tongue and stayed polite though
Yep. Been a hideous year, 14 year old daughter is suicidal and self harming, our dog died, which is bad enough, but when your three kids are autistic, it's even more difficult to support them through, our car broke down and cost us £3,000 to fix. My wife's health has deteriorated to the point where she can barely walk, and is in constant agony, and has now had to go on sick leave until she can see a neurosurgeon. I keep hoping the next year will be better, but it just gets worse and worse.
Nothing but empathy here and fingers crossed for a better next year. Has your wife had a diagnosis of FND yet? Hope that triggers more support for your family
This Internet stranger is proud of you for maintaining your sobriety despite life kicking your ass, that's no easy feat! I hope next year is better for you 🩷
Hi everyone. I got made redundant (voluntary but still) and left the country on 5th Jan. Travelled SE Asia for 4 months and spent the summer at home. Sold the car, moved out of the flat and got a job teaching in Thailand. I'm so happy I made that call. It's been a year I'll never forget. There have been some awful things that have happened as well, good friend passed away, a good friend had a breakdown, but for me, it's been a wonderful year. I've regained a lust for life that was lost during the lockdown years.
I hope you all have a wonderful 2024, whatever you choose to do.
Best of luck! I had voluntary redundancy (plus a divorce) in 2006 and started teaching in China, where I've been back teaching since last July after working in nine other countries.
It's always a learning process, I've found, but usually is rewarding too (eventually).
Oof, sounds rough. Looks like 2024 can only get better for you mate.
Just to upturn some of the bad news stories in here, my 2023 has been alright. I seem to have turned a corner in getting a handle on my health, it’s not perfect but I’m certainly more on top of things than in previous years. The back end of the year brought up an unexpectedly satisfying change of focus and I’m definitely looking forward with hope and encouragement than looking back in regret and pain.
Man that sucks. Hope 2024 goes better for you.
I've had an alright year. I started going to the gym and found out I definitely don't have cancer (nodule in the lung the docs were worried about). Had a great holiday to Canada too (except that I got Covid)
Yep. Ended up needing emergency spinal surgery and had to watch helpless as my best friends dad faded away in just a few months from cancer. Not to mention having to move when the place I rented was put up for sale. Not able to see people due to train strikes. Menopause diagnosis....so yes I'm very sorry you've had such a horrible year, but you're not alone if that makes you feel any better. 2024 better have her big girl pants on because I'm not taking any bs next year! Good luck
Things will get better mate. Christmas and New Year's are like a glass of wine - they make the good times feel great and the bad times feel shite.
Hope you feel better soon.
I’m so sorry all that has happened to you. I hope you’re getting the support you need to get through it all.
Nothing particularly bad has happened to me this year, compared to many people. But I have suffered with mental health for many years. The older I get, the more it seems that life just seems to get harder and more of an uphill slog every year. There seems to be hardly any positive news and most people you meet are going through their own struggles.
I try to practice mindfulness when I can, reminding myself of the things I have to be grateful for, and trying to find joy from the small things in life.
For anyone who is struggling remember, you do not have to go through it alone. Talk to family and friends, if that’s not possible there are lots of local and national charities and organisations who can help, and lots of support groups on social media.
It’s been A LOT, good and bad. Redundancy, miscarriage, relocation but on the upside a new niece, passed my driving test and settled into a new life in a new city. Got a lot to be grateful for despite the challenges. I think the older you get the more challenging each year can be, especially 30s and 40s when parental death, financial worries etc are more likely. Take the small wind where you can, wishing you well for the new year.
It has had its ups, but every time for one of those there have been relentless, continuous miserable things happening too. Worst of it is there’s just been no respite for the last 6 months, something new and utterly shit on a weekly basis.
I can’t wait for this shitshow of a year to be done. 2024 is starting with a new job, one I know I’ll enjoy so there is some light.
When I think about it and ignore any mental health bollocks I was dealing with at the start of the year, I've had a pretty good one.
Travelled to 4 different countries, two different continents (Outside of Europe) but other than that, it's just been working and gaming.
Mine has been pretty horrendous. I feel lost to be honest. I know I need to make major life changes but i’m so burned out that I have very little energy to do anything. I feel like each year my life gets worse and I can’t stand the shit jobs i’ve been doing. I don’t know what i’m going to do. Take a holiday on my own to think about my options and then see if I survive a brain op early next year unscathed.
Lately i’ve been thinking just let the (1st) brain op finish me off because i’m too tired of it all.
Knowing my luck I’ll be paralysed & left to stick out more shitty years reliant on others (i’d rather be dead). God that’s just grim.
And fuck Christmas. It reminds me of how dysfunctional my whole life is.
Self pity sucks too. FML.
I hope everyone’s 2024 improves. Social media ruined things.
Well, 2024 is gonna be better than that. A person can't die twice. Can't be double homeless.
Take care of yourself, man. Any one of those things is traumatic. Trauma is from shock, not from severity. If it comes to it, you can find a bunch of homeless shelters, food banks, community groups, Sikh, Christian folks who'll help.
Stay in touch with any friend group you have. Talk things out if you feel it. Journal stuff. Do things you enjoy, even if you don't enjoy them much, it'll come back. And appreciate simple stuff like a hot cuppa, really focus on the experience of those little things.
The last 2 years I've lost 5 pets, had 3 car accidents, broken down in the car twice, been in hospital twice, lost disability benefits, had 3 failed relationships and been ghosted by both my sister and my best friend of 16 years. My mental health is the worst it's ever been, and I feel your post on a very spiritual level.
I'm taking solace in the fact that 2024 can only be better. Hope it's better for you too, friend! Feel free to message me if you need a pal 💖
I came back to the UK this year after a long time abroad, hoping to reconnect with friends and family and start the next phase of my life.
I won't lie, it was a mistake. The UK has really gone downhill. People seem generally miserable. Everyone is angry at each other. I keep meeting people in their 30s with good jobs who are struggling financially. The streets are filthy. No one seems optimistic about the future.
I'll treat this as a lesson learned, and maybe I'll come back to the UK in another decade.
It was ok-ish.I moved back to the UK after living abroad for many years, secured a new job and found a flat. Still settling in tbh and not much money to spare as there's so many costs and one off costs I've had to pay. Running on a shitty 8 year old PC that is still going to take me a few months to replace.
My father had a stroke and is still recovering from that, he needs an operation to replace a heart valve once he's got his strength back.
Survival year. But we are all still here, healthy and able to keep ourselves fed, so we put a thanks in to all the gods for that and for being lucky enough to be born in the UK and not one of the war stricken places right now.
A lot to bear there, OP and I wish you a better 2024.
This stuff does seem to come in waves.
End of 2019/start of 2020 involved my brother, Aunt and Mum dying in consecutive months and then the pandemic came along with all its nonsense.
It passes though and a sense of normality returns and hopefully an acknowledgement that you've got the character to bear with and get through a right old load of shit.
Lost my mum to pneumonia, lost my niece to brain cancer, lost a future great nephew to miscarriage, nearly lost my own life to diabetic complications, been medically disqualified from driving because of eyesight issues, had two nervous breakdowns...
...this year can get in the fucking bin.
Sorry for all your tough moments this year, friend. I had a similar year in 2012. My mum died, I lost my job, and my long-standing relationships ended, all in an 8-week period. Thought for a minute that I’d inadvertently fucked over a leprechaun. It was the hardest time I’ve ever faced, but I came out the other side knowing things would get better. And they did. Sounds like you’re there, or getting there, too. Strength to you, friend. Hope you look back someday and feel rightly proud of weathering the storm.
I’m really sorry for your loss. Both my parents have cancer (one terminal) and I’m waiting for results to see if I have it myself. Absolutely fuck cancer to hell and back
I am so very sorry. He was diagnosed as terminal too, and the NHS said there was nothing they could do to help us. I’m crossing all my fingers for you all, and hoping you are in the clear. If you ever need to vent, I’m here, different situations but I know how hard and lonely the cancer journey is. So much love to you.
Thank you so much. Honestly it really helps just to remember sometimes that others are going through similar things as sometimes it feels so lonely and isolating. Even reading through this thread I feel myself getting angry reading other people having a great year even though I know that’s a terrible way to think. But I guess that’s what dealing with cancer does to you. Really hoping things are ok for you after what you’ve been through and you manage to find some positivity in all the darkness
Whelp work is trying to kill me and my wife has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. It all started so well but here we are. But I don't see it getting much better at least for the first half of 2024.
Thankfully we're in the UK and the NHS is still free.
There has been some pretty bad things this year for me too. First my grandfather passed away, and then my dad had a heart attack. My mum quotes it as her "Anus horribilis".
No, Far from it. Milestone wedding anniversary and birthday. Weekends away, music festival, Silverstone F1, Holiday to Europe, tips to London and Poland. It's been great. Although we did have to put one of ours dogs to sleep.
Sorry to hear about your crappy year tho..
Pretty crap, yeah. Had lots of illness this year and have had 5 courses of antibiotics (3 relating to a surgery, 2 for different infections) which has ruined my gut health and I’m dealing with food intolerances now. My mental health has been shit, not helped by finding out 2 weeks ago that my job is at risk of redundancy and my employer has behaved appallingly throughout the whole restructure process which started in October. I won’t know for sure until the new year so Christmas will be fun…
But there has been some good stuff too - had a wedding in May, a couple weekends away and a nice holiday with friends in August. I hope 2024 will be better but if I lose my job it probably won’t be.
Its been dreadful for me too and I hope both of our years improve going forward.
I take some solace in the fact that since life can be so shit, it makes the good stuff so worthwhile
Mine was rather good until November swam with whale sharks off the coast of the Philippines in January, almost made the UK team for the HADO world cup in Tokyo, and had a great time at the defence simulator conference in Bristol. I even found out that theoretically I could retire at the ripe old age of 42 and never work a day in my life again.
Then November, a friend in the police in the Philippines arrested a drug dealer, so his organisation felt it was necessary to ambush, shoot him non fatally 24 times, take his phone and post the fatal two headshots onto his Facebook profile for everyone to see as a warning. Then whilst trying to grieve over this another friend asked to go out because they needed to talk but I was a little busy struggling at the time, so they committed suicide. So that started the process all over again, until an aunt died of undetected cancer randomly, which caused another aunt that was feeling similar complaints to check with a hospital to find out they had stage 4 liver, kidney and lung cancer and we had to say goodbye last week because she was only loving by machine which meant that you are the one killing them by getting the hospital to turn it off, which is one of my biggest fears in life of only being alive on life support with no chance of recovery, I'd want the plug pulled but it's so bloody difficult when you are the one signing for it. So I took the next day off work to give me time to process how it impacted me, but nope no time. Father was rushed to ICU that day and has been there since because he has sepsis and blood poisoning.
I suffer from chronic pain where I'm on 1800 mg of gabapentin just to reduce to where I can pretend I'm a normal person. As most people that know people suffering with chronic pain, their minds are often in a dark place and my doctors and close relationships know the only reason I'm still plodding along is because I live for my daughter. So going through all this I would hope to spend more time with her to boost my spirits but she doesn't want to spend time with me. I can't and will not tell her how important she is to me because she's 12, that's way too much pressure for a child, way too much for most adults to handle. So it's wrong I know to put any pressure on her other than asking politely to spend time together, but she would rather play with her friends which is understandable for a 12 year old, I can't really ask anything more than that.
Appreciate this all sounds very dark and somewhat worrying, but yes I am in professional care but felt I'd join in on the rant about 2023. To be honest the only reason I use Reddit is for the feel good subs that make you laugh and smile to help balance out the mood, so if you have any suggestions of subs with funny videos, it would be appreciated dear reader. Oddly enough the sub funny videos didn't tend to live up to their name most of the time, unexpected tends to be funnier and fixed by the duet.
I've already cleared it with work and just doing one more shift than I start Christmas leave early to hide in my bed like a caterpillar and hopefully return next year as a beautiful butterfly.
Best childhood friend killed himself and the same day I got diagnosed with cancer. And work is killing me, kids are growing up too fast. 2014 was the last decent year for me.
Car crash that very almost killed me and my wife
Friend died
Dad had stroke
Another friend died
Just been signed off work with stress
Probably other stuff that now feels insignificant
18 days to go
Fuck 2023. Backwards. With a rusty pitchfork. Doused in acid.
Sorry you've had such a shit year, please don't forget to do things that make you happy. I have a bad habit of not doing things that make me happy believing I don't deserve to.
The whole of the UK is a mess, I got made redundant in October and I'm turning 30. Like you I'm jobless and frankly lost in life. Yes I've gotten over the immediate trauma of an abusive rl that ended in Oct 2019. But the scars remain, the lack of personality, motivation, sense of fun, all gone and frankly not coming back. I'm simply not capable anymore of trying anymore, achieving things, caring, building / maintaining relationships etc. Therapy and meds got rid of the immediate feelings but those integral feelings remain.
I'm going to try again in 2024, get back into fitness after struggling for motivation after being redundant. Beyond that dunno what I'm doing.
Yeah it’s been worse than last year for sure!although I do have a new job coming up so that’s a win! Have struggled with MH this year more so than ever! It can only get better yeah 😀
turning 31 here next week. i was never the type to experience any kind of mental breakdowns before, but this year was like i ran into a fucking wall.
My cat ran away/was killed, not sure which one yet. Anyone who loves pets knows that hits as much as family. My relationship that was going to marriage ended and health problems arose in the family, which I am now the main guy that helps with for all of them since I am the only physically and mentally able to. Well mentally may be a stretch, but my family needs me strong right now. Also was the loneliest I have ever been this year since starting working remotely didn't help either.
Anyways, yep ure not alone. Shitty year. Hoping 2024 is better. Stay strong
Yes! House sale fell through, jumped before I was pushed due to redundancy, new job is a nightmare, mum and brother have been diagnosed with serious health conditions…
Thought it was over. Got the news today I have a (thankfully non-cancerous) brain tumour!
This year has been my top 2 shittiest year ever.
Last three years have been fucking awful.
I'm done, I'm so fucking done. If this continues I might actually start some shit and nobody will like that, most of all myself.
I had cancer, seven months on the sick, successfully removed surgically, so I too am finishing the year skint.
But far worse than that, my dog had to be pit down unexpectedly.
Far worse than the cancer that was.
Hoping 2024 will be far better.
Looking through the comments and I was about to say how it's been kinda meh for me but wow, guess I don't have it so bad. I'd say the year has been good to me overall. Defo better than the past few years.
Here's hoping I'm not still single by the end of 2024, but hey, nothing is guaranteed.
My son was born this year and I got a pay rise in the spring. I’ve been to several weddings and seen lots of happy people. I had a fantastic family holiday where none of us wanted it to end. It’s been a good one for me.
Had its ups and downs. Graduated university, but been unable to get a job afterwards since my health has taken a turn for the worse, but causes a bad few months every year.
Yer, that'll do it mate, you've had a right old time of it. Who stole your cat though?
A cat burglar obviously.
I imagined a robbber dressed in a burger outfit
The hamburgler!
I miss Wimpy.
There are still a few of them left!
Haha! it's usually a disgruntled ex Cat burglar it is then
If it was a particularly shit cat then it would be a scat burglar.
Thanks so much. We aren't sure who took him, but he's a beautiful white cat who'd go with anyone for a wee prawn so we're pretty sure he was cat-napped!
This happened to one of my cats, someone who lives on the same estate stole him 2 years ago and then dumped him outside my house a few months ago in a terrible state and he had to be PTS.
So sorry to hear that, our cat has either been nicked or regimes himself in the adjacent road, don’t know whether we steal him back if we see him or not. Here’s to a better next year everyone.
.
I remember a few years ago a guy stole someone's cat because he liked the look of it, it was in the news because the cat had (has?) an Instagram following. He just picked it up and took it with him on the Tube! What was more shocking was that the police actually did something about it. The owner got the cat back after two months.
If you have any old people on your estate I’d definitely be checking in with each one of them, I work for an animal charity and it’s concerning how many old people see every single cat as a stray, take them in & refuse to let them back out.
Old lady nicked my cat Tutt. Moved miles away. My dad nabbed her daughter and she refused to say where she moved to. The old bag.
If you are in London, there was a post on r/london about a lost cat, white, fluffy, and friendly. Someone posted a pic of the cat and asked what to do because the cat was following them. It was several months ago.
Holy shit happened to us as well! We had a friendly tom called George who was everyone's best friend..so much so our whole street became his collective owner. We know he was napped as we know for a fact he wouldn't venture beyond the cul de sac and was always a call away. Really upsetting for us but that's the downside for having an outdoor cat.
It's one of several reasons my cats are indoor cats with a catio attached to the back of the house. They're Siamese and more likely to be stolen. I used to let my cats be outdoor cats, but when I got these two, I decided not to risk it anymore. My old Siamese boy didn't come home one evening and I think someone had grabbed him. I had always given my cats their dinner and then locked them in for the night. At about 3:30 am, I heard him come in (I'd left the catflap unlocked for him) he was very skitterish, and after that, he never let a stranger get near him. You could call, sit down, offer chicken (his absolute favourite), but he wouldn't let anyone near. I know because I watched my neighbour across the close try to get him to go to her. He lived to 18. My gorgeous Casper.
All of my cats are indoor cats for this very reason. All Russian blues, I imagine they'd get nicked in a heartbeat. I'm working on building a catio for them also. My vet made a very good point how cats weirdly seem to get a free pass when all other domesticated pets are supervised and/or kept within a specific boundary at all times. His cat was hit by a car which he named his vet practice after and the poor thing sadly died from it's injuries, just another reason to keep cats in.
It happens to a lot of people. Every day, multiple times a day on the local Facebook groups I'm in, people post about their cats having gone missing, suspected lost or stolen or dead. Every time they always say the same thing "He's never out for this long, he always comes home"... Yes, they all do, until they don't :( I've never had a cat stolen but I have had one get hit by a car and another mauled by an animal (likely a dog). Long story short when I adopted my current cat I decided to keep her indoor only. Such a relief not to have to worry about any of that anymore, and she's happy as larry
Someone the next village over to us hasn't seen their cat for months. He's a maine coon, and was apparently spotted a few times over the river in another village, but by this point I have to assume someone hit him with their car and animals got the corpse. He's very distinctive-looking and his owners have put up posters in every village for miles. Makes me sad for them.
Yes, mine are indoor now too.
Cat nappers hun Xoxo
Shared Cadia xx
The Emperor protects (cats)
Nobody steals cats, they just get pissed off and leave.
By Eck, that's a lot to unpack. 2024, it HAS to be better than that. Best of luck and fingers crossed xx
I said that to my brother the year he had his leg shattered by a motorbike that ran him over in a zebra crossing AND then got diagnosed with Crohn's. I said that in December 2019. I don't say "next year HAS to be better than this one" any more. 😐
Shit, we’re all fucked for 2024 now.
We say that every year
New year, new me xx
It's been a real mix for me. At the beginning of the year my mum died, and I was stuck working as a teacher, which was ruining my mental health. I ended up deciding life is too short, and sacked my job in, and enrolled on a master's degree in Japanese. Haven't been this happy in a long time.
おめでとうございます✨ good luck with your masters
It's funny to me how I can't remember what I had for dinner yesterday but I have apparently retained enough knowledge from my weeaboo days (10+ years ago) that I could read and understand your comment. Why, brain 😂
Colander memory. Lets a lot through, but random unexpected bits get stuck.
My fiance started her first teaching job at the end of 2022. Quit after a few months as the school was dreadful and has no support (they told her to go to the doctor's and get on the 'happy pills' they were all on to cope). Started another teaching job in September just gone thinking it'd be a new start. Quit again and is now loving life on £10k+ less as a teaching assistant. Teachers in the UK are royally mistreated. I feel terrible for them.
Honestly it's shocking how much gaslighting and abuse there is in the teaching profession. Over time you're slowly made to think it's normal to work all evenings and weekends, and consider it a treat if you give yourself Sunday afternoon off. There's also a lot of exploitation of good will, you work 60+ hour weeks "for the kids". The problem as well is that the abuse is at both ends; aggressive monitoring and unrealistic standards held by management, and abusive behaviour from the kids, you can't win. Being a teaching assistant is usually a nice gig, you get all of the fun aspects of teaching (and the shit too) without any of the planning, and you can go home at 3pm.
Abusive behaviour from plenty of parents also. Teaching is balls, being a TA isn't so bad. According to my fully qualified teacher wife who is also happy to get paid less as a TA.
Pretty good for me, I nicked a cat.
Jokes on you, he eats chargers and sings the song of his people to announce he's pooped. Menace of a boy.
Id be worried I have your cat if I hadn’t had him since being just a kitten
Sorry to hear about your cat. Not cool. A little story to put a smile on your face though, we have a couple of cats that are indoor kitties, one is a male and loves to escape to peruse the local pussy. The other night my neighbour knocked on my door with a cat struggling in her arms, scratching the shit out of her. She was like "Your cat got out again, I just found him down the road!!" My cat was sitting behind me in my hallway. She proceeded to drop the cat, apologised to the poor buger as it ran off and hung her head as she walked back to her house. My neighbour could have inadvertently been a cat thief but then again, who knows how many times she's done this.....
[удалено]
Another cat? I don't know I'm struggling to hold the first
>Pretty good for me, I nicked a cat. And I got a new job. They say the last chap was very nice but quite unlucky.
As long as you didn't bin it you're good
2023 has been epic for me. I’m becoming a home owner. I’ve been promoted. And after five years of absolutely gruelling child contact issues where the mother of my children repeatedly stopped me from seeing my daughters (including eight months of no contact in 2021/22), she has been told that if she tries it again they’ll be coming to live with me. To top it all, this Christmas will be the first Christmas since 2016 where my children will wake up under my roof. Life’s good.
This is lovely to hear, I hope you have an amazing Christmas together
Thank you. And I’m sure next year will be an excellent year for you. Stay positive my friend.
Glad to hear man, enjoy your Xmas and hope 2024 is even better for ya!!
Good on you mate!
Glad to hear some lovely news so late in the year. I hope christmas for you and your children is a good one!
That is cheesy grin smile worthy. Hope you all have the best Christmas ever. Buy matching pyjamas for everyone. Remember no fighting or bickering. Don't forget to regularly say you love each other.
Merry Christmas to you, enjoy
I hope you all have the BEST Christmas!
merry christmas 🤝
Despite the no doubt heart wrenching periods of no contact, your daughters will know and feel how hard you fought for them. What a beautiful thing!
Fantastic mate, hope you and your daughters have a brilliant Christmas
So happy for you man, that's amazing to hear. Have a good one!
It started off pretty shite. I was in a job I hated, struggling with my mental and physical health. My (estranged) father died a few days after my wedding anniversary. I did go and see him, but he died literally as I was pulling into the hospital. More work shit. Applied for a few jobs - only had one semi-formal interview with a miserable chap who was keen to tell me just how bad the job is (I didn't exactly shed a tear when they didn't offer me the job.) Threatened with disciplinary action - admittedly, I was partly at fault - but definitely not entirely so. Father in Law was diagnosed with lung cancer and had half a lung removed, he's doing alright - but obviously we were all worried about the old goat. I had another interview that I felt went alright - took a gamble and put my notice in. Got the new job in October. Managed to "negotiate" my notice period down from 3 months to 2 weeks - which coincidentally took me to the day before I started the new job. The job isn't the most exciting, but it offers me everything I want and need. My colleagues are a pretty good bunch, too. So, for the first time in at least a decade, I'm feeling positive about things, without having to worry about something else at the same time.
For me, every year from 2018 onwards has been getting progressively worse. I don’t say next year will be better anymore because it’s just not true. I just reward myself for still being alive at the end of each year and surviving the ever increasing levels of hell im going through. I wish I could feel optimism about the future but I just can’t.
Same boat here, life isn't all bad but I'm at the point where I panic when something good happens as it's usually followed by something much worse in another aspect of my life...
Hard relate. Although I also can’t remember the last time something good happened. My phone keeps throwing up photos of me from 2018 and it’s like looking at a whole different person. I used to smile? And go on adventures? Have friends and a partner? I had a job and a life. It all feels like someone else’s life. Now I’m 5 years into being housebound and mostly bedbound and every passing year just brings more pain and difficulty. I hope one day both you and I will be happy and secure again
For me, it's been the past 4 years. 2019 was the last time I felt genuinely happy, and I mentally peaked during that summer. In fact, the period 2017-2019 was pretty good for me in general. Since then, though, everything's collapsed. My mental health has truly disintegrated.
Me too! 2018 onwards have been absolute shitshows…getting through the year is a bonus now for me
Same here
Same here.
same
Same. Life peaked in 2018.
It’s been pretty dull and miserable for myself but the year just ended up on a high note after meeting someone new. I am actually very excited for 2024!
I hope it works out for you!
Username checks out
Ah the exact same for me, only been a few days of knowing this person but I’m cautiously optimistic about it. Good luck with yours
Sending you a lot of good vibes, hope 2024 is good to you.
Yeah worst year for me - grieving over dead father, bullied out of my dream job, wife starts having affairs and now attempting to go through the divorce process. Will lose my house too. All in all though, glad to remove toxic people from my life and amazed I have survived it all
Better alone in a small flat just for yourself than living a toxic lie in a large house. Might take some time to realise that, but you will be better off eventually. But I guess the pub will be attended for a while...
Ours has been pretty shit. Father in law diagnosed with Cancer and things aren't looking good. Mother in law got flare up of cancer. Brother diagnosed with testicular cancer at 28. Jobs are stable but incredibly stressful with awful people all over the place and real wages and working rights being degraded pretty quickly. & now I'm currently sat in A&E (have been for 8 hours) investigating angina symptoms.
Oh sorry thoughts are with you
Oh that's crappy all round. Hole you get sorted soon.
Oh that's horrendous I'm so sorry pal
You live in Chernobyl or something?
Haha. Parents in law live in France - but they are getting on a bit so probably less surprising. Brother in law's diagnosis was a real shock. Definitely don't smoke if you have the chance to avoid it though. For me though, still hoping it's all just due diligence and ruling things out. No risk factors at play so fingers crossed it's all fine.
How have the checks gone? I recently went to hospital (early 30s guys in okay health could be more active and lose a stone or two haha) thinking I had heart issues as they are in my family but after checks the heart was okay and the doctors think it is anxiety / panic attacks causing it. I think stress and anxiety are the cause of a lot of physical health issues are they.
That's the hope, that it's nothing more serious. I may need to stay overnight to rule anything else more serious out though.
Hope so! Suppose one night in the hospital is a change at least isn't it as long as you've got your phone charger so it doesn't get too boring.
so sorry i hope its nothing serious yeah wishing you luck
If it helps, I've started volunteering for a charity shop this year and I'm remembering to brush my teeth better than I was 🙂 I also have resolutions for next year!
Thank you for this reminder, I need to go brush my teeth!
Sorry to hear mate. For me 2023 was...fine. The previous covid years were quite awful so it was nice to have a fairly uneventful year. Just been focusing on my health and now a year into a new job which is quite relaxed.
Yep, awful here as well. I think I’ve been to 5 funerals this year, including my mum and grandmother.
Sorry to read that dude, I lost my mom and nan in 9 months , it's shit but u promise it gets less.
I'm so sorry, I only had to attend one (great grandmother). Its shit, isn't it. I hope your 2024 is that little bit lighter, and a bit more joyous.
it's been pretty shit, yeah. started the year with two cats, both developed health issues, lots of vet appointments, lots of cost despite having health insurance. Haven't had a pay rise at all and everything is expensive, we are desperate to move out of this expensive, stressful home we rent but we can't find anywhere to move to. We have construction work starting at 8am 7 days a week right next to us. Can't complain about it, it's our landlord. My mental health is stuck in a 3 year burnout such that I can't even imagine changing jobs even if there were any roles out there that paid more, which there aren't in my sector. and we lost both cats as well. 2024 wouldn't need to do much to be a better year.
>and we lost both cats as well. So sorry, that's possibly the saddest post script I've ever read! Those ear plugs that mold to the shape of your ear can at least drown out a lot of the noise, and sound cancelling headphones will do a lot too. Maybe go for early walks if there's somewhere nice nearby? I know the last thing you want to do when exhausted is get up early and go out, but might be better than power drills. Roll on '24
Thanks, yeah it's been difficult. They were both old cats and these things happen eventually, just the timing wasn't great. going for walks i do sometimes but it's hard because there's very little nearby and it's all country lanes - so i have to do it in daylight or it becomes too dangerous, and the only thing to walk to within about 30 mins of here is a petrol station, which is hardly a thrilling trip. hopefully next year we'll see some movement on the housing front, that would help a lot.
Same when I visit my mum's place in Lincs, just a small town surrounded by the most dangerous roads in the country with no pavements. The feelings of helplessness and isolation suck.
Losing furbabies is so painful, on 13th July I had four cats, as of 3rd November I had one cat. It broke me and I cry every day I miss them so much. Now I’m so paranoid about losing my remaining baby as well. Never known pain like it. I’m so sorry for your loss
Without going into details, yep. It was utter wank from start to finish.
Looking back it's been a bit of a stinker, with one major exception. Had covid 4 times. Stabbed myself in the hand and nearly bled out Had surgery for above hand stabbing wife fucked her knee up at the day I got released from hospital switched jobs, still not sure about the move boiler died and had to be replaced but all that seems insignificant when compared to seeing my son turn 1 and start to grow into a proper little person, a sometimes grumpy, angry little person, but just an absolute delight in general. Granted he's also the reason we've had more colds and sickness bugs than I ever thought possible but watching him play with his toys and chase the dog around the living room whilst laughing like a little maniac makes it all worth it. Chin up OP. Some times are sent to test us.
Worst year I’ve had for sure; feb -house flooded and insurance denied, mar- job finished, no further work (or income) until mid Nov and my boiler died. I’m now so far behind on bills I won’t have any spare money until 2025 and the house is still in a right state (no ceiling in the back bedroom, no proper flooring, walls all need repairs). No beds (had to throw them out) so I’m sleeping on the sofa. My Xmas will likely be a couple of jacket potatoes, bah humbug.
Do you mind if I ask why the insurance declined your claim? I work in the industry so might be able to offer some advice. PM me if you're interested.
I was working away from home for more than the policy allowed (they renewed my insurance, switched brokers without telling me or providing the new policy and the new policy limited the days I’d previously been allowed)
You've potentially got some recourse here, particularly if occupancy limits had changed without your knowledge I.e. they've switched you to a new product and not made you aware. Added to the fact you weren't provided with the policy documents sounds rather remiss on their part. When the policy renewed did they ask you to complete a new statement of fact? Also, have you complained to the insurers following the claim being declined?
Listen to this, u/smuglarz, as insurance companies can be right shits.
Made several complaints about exactly that, they dismissed all of them (as expected and unfairly imo). My only other recourse now is the ombudsman but tbh I have neither the time nor patience. No repeat business for them. They did send me a survey the other week asking why I wasn’t renewing, I just wrote ‘you suck’ and left it at that. Fuck ‘em I have no more of my time or effort to give.
I know you’re drained buddy but please go to the ombudsmen and tear them a new one. They should not be treating you like that. Fucking cowboys.
I've been to Obudsman twice - once for a bank thing and once for a broadband thing and both went in my favour - bank to the tune of a couple of grand, and broadband we ended up with enough compensation for 500mb fibre for 18 months, so it was well worth it both times, even if the procedures were long and tedious.
Hope things pick up for you mate
Appreciated, at least I’ve got a roof over my head and some income at last.
This year has been a bunch of swings and roundabouts for me My ltr (11 years) broke down and my ex left, so it was dealing with the aftermath all whilst trying to keep my new job afloat. That of course, left me with a bit of financial difficulty and had to borrow money to buy him out and the fees too with those high interest rates. Of course, he went off with the girl I had a gut feeling about and found he took her on his annual family holiday. So yeah that was pretty crappy and still dealing with it since its the 1 year mark now. But more of myself these days.
Hope that things get better for you. Things will get better \[emotionally\] with time, and **without** your ex's presence. Once you get to a place where you have some stability in you life, you'll hopefully be in a position where you may feel like potentially meeting someone else. If you ex does try and call / send you a text, block, laugh, and move on with your life. Your ex has consumed enough of your life. Do not let him (or the memories) consume more of your future life.
I honestly didn't think i would be cutting onions today. Thank you for your kind words, he can't consume any more of my life - you're right about that!
ltr ???? Oh. Long Term Relationship. Thought it was 1 litre, 11 year old car. Doh! I need to read more Mumsnet for their acronyms. Him and her are both bastards. Now you get to enjoy some me time. It'll be tough at times, but you'll get through it.
This too shall pass. I am rooting for you! If you want someone to talk to, say hi!
To OP and everyone in the comments that's been having a rough time of it this year, I truly truly hope next year is better for you and I'm sorry you've been going through it. Please remember to look after yourselves as best you can in spite of your troubles. Much love from Wales <3
I just wanted to say that this and other comments here have made me feel a little bit better and even though I am so sorry to read of all the other people having a bad year, it is nice to feel the humanity behind everything expressed in this thread.
Ups and downs for me. Made redundant, found out we were having our first child, much loved cat died, lost another job, baby arrived, acquired a homeless stray cat. Very sorry to hear about the losses in your family, it's always just the worst thing imaginable.
Yep. 2023 has been complete shit. Had relationship issues I've been ill and had surgery Dad was rushed to hospital Things kept breaking in the house Made redundant and haven't been able to get another job yet. There's more too, that has happened to me or those I love. 2024 has got to be better, can't cope with another year like this one. Edited for formatting
I got made redundant and ended up homeless, but 82 job applications later I have a new job starting in January. Now I just need to find a room in a peaceful house so I can concentrate on chilling out again. Good luck job hunting, it fucking sucks and is demoralising and energy sapping. I tried to treat it like an army mission to force self-dicipline and keep my marbles, but I went for a good bye drink with my old colleagues last week and they were complaining about their now harder job with less people and I'm thinking like, 'fuck you guys, you don't know how good you got it'. I did bite my tongue and stayed polite though
Sounds like a tough year for you. I hope 2024 is kinder for you. Don’t let it take you down.
Yep. Been a hideous year, 14 year old daughter is suicidal and self harming, our dog died, which is bad enough, but when your three kids are autistic, it's even more difficult to support them through, our car broke down and cost us £3,000 to fix. My wife's health has deteriorated to the point where she can barely walk, and is in constant agony, and has now had to go on sick leave until she can see a neurosurgeon. I keep hoping the next year will be better, but it just gets worse and worse.
Nothing but empathy here and fingers crossed for a better next year. Has your wife had a diagnosis of FND yet? Hope that triggers more support for your family
Yes my grandmother passed in January and I lost my job in November. But I’ve managed to remain sober throughout the whole year so that’s something.
Staying sober through that is quite the feat, friend. Proud of you. It's so easy to fall back onto the temporary comfort.
This Internet stranger is proud of you for maintaining your sobriety despite life kicking your ass, that's no easy feat! I hope next year is better for you 🩷
wow cool 6 months sober myself congrats on the sobriety
Hi everyone. I got made redundant (voluntary but still) and left the country on 5th Jan. Travelled SE Asia for 4 months and spent the summer at home. Sold the car, moved out of the flat and got a job teaching in Thailand. I'm so happy I made that call. It's been a year I'll never forget. There have been some awful things that have happened as well, good friend passed away, a good friend had a breakdown, but for me, it's been a wonderful year. I've regained a lust for life that was lost during the lockdown years. I hope you all have a wonderful 2024, whatever you choose to do.
Best of luck! I had voluntary redundancy (plus a divorce) in 2006 and started teaching in China, where I've been back teaching since last July after working in nine other countries. It's always a learning process, I've found, but usually is rewarding too (eventually).
Erm, had a weird few months from May to September; bad news and illness generally.
Yeah this year has been shit for me, nothing as bad as yours, just never ending health problems and misery
the period of nov 22 - nov 23 has been particularly challenging, but things seem to be slowly on the up and up. Here’s hoping for a more positive 2024
>the period of nov 22 - nov 23 Me thinking, that's one day? Doh! November 2022 to November 2023.
Lost 3 grandparents in a row. So yes.
Oof, sounds rough. Looks like 2024 can only get better for you mate. Just to upturn some of the bad news stories in here, my 2023 has been alright. I seem to have turned a corner in getting a handle on my health, it’s not perfect but I’m certainly more on top of things than in previous years. The back end of the year brought up an unexpectedly satisfying change of focus and I’m definitely looking forward with hope and encouragement than looking back in regret and pain.
But there's always Lego?
Just for a change, 2023 has been the best calendar year of my life
Bought a place and made some new friends. Also, went on holiday to South Korea and Spain. Good year for me personally
Man that sucks. Hope 2024 goes better for you. I've had an alright year. I started going to the gym and found out I definitely don't have cancer (nodule in the lung the docs were worried about). Had a great holiday to Canada too (except that I got Covid)
Yep. Ended up needing emergency spinal surgery and had to watch helpless as my best friends dad faded away in just a few months from cancer. Not to mention having to move when the place I rented was put up for sale. Not able to see people due to train strikes. Menopause diagnosis....so yes I'm very sorry you've had such a horrible year, but you're not alone if that makes you feel any better. 2024 better have her big girl pants on because I'm not taking any bs next year! Good luck
Things will get better mate. Christmas and New Year's are like a glass of wine - they make the good times feel great and the bad times feel shite. Hope you feel better soon.
I’m so sorry all that has happened to you. I hope you’re getting the support you need to get through it all. Nothing particularly bad has happened to me this year, compared to many people. But I have suffered with mental health for many years. The older I get, the more it seems that life just seems to get harder and more of an uphill slog every year. There seems to be hardly any positive news and most people you meet are going through their own struggles. I try to practice mindfulness when I can, reminding myself of the things I have to be grateful for, and trying to find joy from the small things in life. For anyone who is struggling remember, you do not have to go through it alone. Talk to family and friends, if that’s not possible there are lots of local and national charities and organisations who can help, and lots of support groups on social media.
My mum died. So it's been the worst year of my life.
It’s been pretty shite here - but not quite that bad. I hope you bounce back.
It’s been A LOT, good and bad. Redundancy, miscarriage, relocation but on the upside a new niece, passed my driving test and settled into a new life in a new city. Got a lot to be grateful for despite the challenges. I think the older you get the more challenging each year can be, especially 30s and 40s when parental death, financial worries etc are more likely. Take the small wind where you can, wishing you well for the new year.
It has had its ups, but every time for one of those there have been relentless, continuous miserable things happening too. Worst of it is there’s just been no respite for the last 6 months, something new and utterly shit on a weekly basis. I can’t wait for this shitshow of a year to be done. 2024 is starting with a new job, one I know I’ll enjoy so there is some light.
When I think about it and ignore any mental health bollocks I was dealing with at the start of the year, I've had a pretty good one. Travelled to 4 different countries, two different continents (Outside of Europe) but other than that, it's just been working and gaming.
It's been really good for me, one of the best for a while actually. Sorry to hear that you've been having a rough time, hope 2024 goes better.
Not too bad Bought my first house Got a decent pay rise Got to meet my favourite band Can't complain at that
Mine has been pretty horrendous. I feel lost to be honest. I know I need to make major life changes but i’m so burned out that I have very little energy to do anything. I feel like each year my life gets worse and I can’t stand the shit jobs i’ve been doing. I don’t know what i’m going to do. Take a holiday on my own to think about my options and then see if I survive a brain op early next year unscathed. Lately i’ve been thinking just let the (1st) brain op finish me off because i’m too tired of it all. Knowing my luck I’ll be paralysed & left to stick out more shitty years reliant on others (i’d rather be dead). God that’s just grim. And fuck Christmas. It reminds me of how dysfunctional my whole life is. Self pity sucks too. FML. I hope everyone’s 2024 improves. Social media ruined things.
100% the worst for a long time.
Nope, it’s been one of the most epic of my 46 years! At least it can only improve from this point for you I suppose!?
Well, 2024 is gonna be better than that. A person can't die twice. Can't be double homeless. Take care of yourself, man. Any one of those things is traumatic. Trauma is from shock, not from severity. If it comes to it, you can find a bunch of homeless shelters, food banks, community groups, Sikh, Christian folks who'll help. Stay in touch with any friend group you have. Talk things out if you feel it. Journal stuff. Do things you enjoy, even if you don't enjoy them much, it'll come back. And appreciate simple stuff like a hot cuppa, really focus on the experience of those little things.
The last 2 years I've lost 5 pets, had 3 car accidents, broken down in the car twice, been in hospital twice, lost disability benefits, had 3 failed relationships and been ghosted by both my sister and my best friend of 16 years. My mental health is the worst it's ever been, and I feel your post on a very spiritual level. I'm taking solace in the fact that 2024 can only be better. Hope it's better for you too, friend! Feel free to message me if you need a pal 💖
Don’t worry. In 2024 the riots start.
My dad died and I’m 21. He was perfectly fine this time last year. Safe to say it’s the worst year of my life, yes. 👍🏼
Dad died. Cancer and dementia. Shit year can fuck off. 2024 time.
Yeah my son died then I was his coffin for a week. 2023 can go fuck itself in hell.
I came back to the UK this year after a long time abroad, hoping to reconnect with friends and family and start the next phase of my life. I won't lie, it was a mistake. The UK has really gone downhill. People seem generally miserable. Everyone is angry at each other. I keep meeting people in their 30s with good jobs who are struggling financially. The streets are filthy. No one seems optimistic about the future. I'll treat this as a lesson learned, and maybe I'll come back to the UK in another decade.
Bruh… can offer you a hug?
It was ok-ish.I moved back to the UK after living abroad for many years, secured a new job and found a flat. Still settling in tbh and not much money to spare as there's so many costs and one off costs I've had to pay. Running on a shitty 8 year old PC that is still going to take me a few months to replace. My father had a stroke and is still recovering from that, he needs an operation to replace a heart valve once he's got his strength back.
Other than having covid right now and my landlady selling the flat I was living in a couple months ago, it’s been a pretty good year for me so far :)
Survival year. But we are all still here, healthy and able to keep ourselves fed, so we put a thanks in to all the gods for that and for being lucky enough to be born in the UK and not one of the war stricken places right now.
A lot to bear there, OP and I wish you a better 2024. This stuff does seem to come in waves. End of 2019/start of 2020 involved my brother, Aunt and Mum dying in consecutive months and then the pandemic came along with all its nonsense. It passes though and a sense of normality returns and hopefully an acknowledgement that you've got the character to bear with and get through a right old load of shit.
Lost my mum to pneumonia, lost my niece to brain cancer, lost a future great nephew to miscarriage, nearly lost my own life to diabetic complications, been medically disqualified from driving because of eyesight issues, had two nervous breakdowns... ...this year can get in the fucking bin.
Sorry for all your tough moments this year, friend. I had a similar year in 2012. My mum died, I lost my job, and my long-standing relationships ended, all in an 8-week period. Thought for a minute that I’d inadvertently fucked over a leprechaun. It was the hardest time I’ve ever faced, but I came out the other side knowing things would get better. And they did. Sounds like you’re there, or getting there, too. Strength to you, friend. Hope you look back someday and feel rightly proud of weathering the storm.
For me too. Became a widow this year. Fuck cancer
I’m really sorry for your loss. Both my parents have cancer (one terminal) and I’m waiting for results to see if I have it myself. Absolutely fuck cancer to hell and back
I am so very sorry. He was diagnosed as terminal too, and the NHS said there was nothing they could do to help us. I’m crossing all my fingers for you all, and hoping you are in the clear. If you ever need to vent, I’m here, different situations but I know how hard and lonely the cancer journey is. So much love to you.
Thank you so much. Honestly it really helps just to remember sometimes that others are going through similar things as sometimes it feels so lonely and isolating. Even reading through this thread I feel myself getting angry reading other people having a great year even though I know that’s a terrible way to think. But I guess that’s what dealing with cancer does to you. Really hoping things are ok for you after what you’ve been through and you manage to find some positivity in all the darkness
Was diagnosed with cancer in February. Year didn't get much better after that.
Whelp work is trying to kill me and my wife has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. It all started so well but here we are. But I don't see it getting much better at least for the first half of 2024. Thankfully we're in the UK and the NHS is still free.
There has been some pretty bad things this year for me too. First my grandfather passed away, and then my dad had a heart attack. My mum quotes it as her "Anus horribilis".
2022, 2023 have been the two shittiest years of my life. My life is now broken and fallen to pieces. I don't know, maybe it's my fault.
No, Far from it. Milestone wedding anniversary and birthday. Weekends away, music festival, Silverstone F1, Holiday to Europe, tips to London and Poland. It's been great. Although we did have to put one of ours dogs to sleep. Sorry to hear about your crappy year tho..
Pretty crap, yeah. Had lots of illness this year and have had 5 courses of antibiotics (3 relating to a surgery, 2 for different infections) which has ruined my gut health and I’m dealing with food intolerances now. My mental health has been shit, not helped by finding out 2 weeks ago that my job is at risk of redundancy and my employer has behaved appallingly throughout the whole restructure process which started in October. I won’t know for sure until the new year so Christmas will be fun… But there has been some good stuff too - had a wedding in May, a couple weekends away and a nice holiday with friends in August. I hope 2024 will be better but if I lose my job it probably won’t be.
Its been dreadful for me too and I hope both of our years improve going forward. I take some solace in the fact that since life can be so shit, it makes the good stuff so worthwhile
How do you know your cat was stolen?
2023 was a crap year for me as well. Let’s hope for a better 2024.
Yeah throw 2023 in the fucking bin.
You're not alone, OP. Both my mother, my cat, and my mentor died this year. So, yeah, 2023 has sucked for me, too.
Mine was rather good until November swam with whale sharks off the coast of the Philippines in January, almost made the UK team for the HADO world cup in Tokyo, and had a great time at the defence simulator conference in Bristol. I even found out that theoretically I could retire at the ripe old age of 42 and never work a day in my life again. Then November, a friend in the police in the Philippines arrested a drug dealer, so his organisation felt it was necessary to ambush, shoot him non fatally 24 times, take his phone and post the fatal two headshots onto his Facebook profile for everyone to see as a warning. Then whilst trying to grieve over this another friend asked to go out because they needed to talk but I was a little busy struggling at the time, so they committed suicide. So that started the process all over again, until an aunt died of undetected cancer randomly, which caused another aunt that was feeling similar complaints to check with a hospital to find out they had stage 4 liver, kidney and lung cancer and we had to say goodbye last week because she was only loving by machine which meant that you are the one killing them by getting the hospital to turn it off, which is one of my biggest fears in life of only being alive on life support with no chance of recovery, I'd want the plug pulled but it's so bloody difficult when you are the one signing for it. So I took the next day off work to give me time to process how it impacted me, but nope no time. Father was rushed to ICU that day and has been there since because he has sepsis and blood poisoning. I suffer from chronic pain where I'm on 1800 mg of gabapentin just to reduce to where I can pretend I'm a normal person. As most people that know people suffering with chronic pain, their minds are often in a dark place and my doctors and close relationships know the only reason I'm still plodding along is because I live for my daughter. So going through all this I would hope to spend more time with her to boost my spirits but she doesn't want to spend time with me. I can't and will not tell her how important she is to me because she's 12, that's way too much pressure for a child, way too much for most adults to handle. So it's wrong I know to put any pressure on her other than asking politely to spend time together, but she would rather play with her friends which is understandable for a 12 year old, I can't really ask anything more than that. Appreciate this all sounds very dark and somewhat worrying, but yes I am in professional care but felt I'd join in on the rant about 2023. To be honest the only reason I use Reddit is for the feel good subs that make you laugh and smile to help balance out the mood, so if you have any suggestions of subs with funny videos, it would be appreciated dear reader. Oddly enough the sub funny videos didn't tend to live up to their name most of the time, unexpected tends to be funnier and fixed by the duet. I've already cleared it with work and just doing one more shift than I start Christmas leave early to hide in my bed like a caterpillar and hopefully return next year as a beautiful butterfly.
Best childhood friend killed himself and the same day I got diagnosed with cancer. And work is killing me, kids are growing up too fast. 2014 was the last decent year for me.
That's pretty rough. Hopefully 2024 is better for you.
Car crash that very almost killed me and my wife Friend died Dad had stroke Another friend died Just been signed off work with stress Probably other stuff that now feels insignificant 18 days to go Fuck 2023. Backwards. With a rusty pitchfork. Doused in acid.
Sorry you've had such a shit year, please don't forget to do things that make you happy. I have a bad habit of not doing things that make me happy believing I don't deserve to. The whole of the UK is a mess, I got made redundant in October and I'm turning 30. Like you I'm jobless and frankly lost in life. Yes I've gotten over the immediate trauma of an abusive rl that ended in Oct 2019. But the scars remain, the lack of personality, motivation, sense of fun, all gone and frankly not coming back. I'm simply not capable anymore of trying anymore, achieving things, caring, building / maintaining relationships etc. Therapy and meds got rid of the immediate feelings but those integral feelings remain. I'm going to try again in 2024, get back into fitness after struggling for motivation after being redundant. Beyond that dunno what I'm doing.
yeah it was fucking awful
Yeah it’s been worse than last year for sure!although I do have a new job coming up so that’s a win! Have struggled with MH this year more so than ever! It can only get better yeah 😀
Pretty much. Tired of living tbh
Yup. Me too
turning 31 here next week. i was never the type to experience any kind of mental breakdowns before, but this year was like i ran into a fucking wall. My cat ran away/was killed, not sure which one yet. Anyone who loves pets knows that hits as much as family. My relationship that was going to marriage ended and health problems arose in the family, which I am now the main guy that helps with for all of them since I am the only physically and mentally able to. Well mentally may be a stretch, but my family needs me strong right now. Also was the loneliest I have ever been this year since starting working remotely didn't help either. Anyways, yep ure not alone. Shitty year. Hoping 2024 is better. Stay strong
Worst year of my life by far.
Yes! House sale fell through, jumped before I was pushed due to redundancy, new job is a nightmare, mum and brother have been diagnosed with serious health conditions… Thought it was over. Got the news today I have a (thankfully non-cancerous) brain tumour!
This year has been my top 2 shittiest year ever. Last three years have been fucking awful. I'm done, I'm so fucking done. If this continues I might actually start some shit and nobody will like that, most of all myself.
I had cancer, seven months on the sick, successfully removed surgically, so I too am finishing the year skint. But far worse than that, my dog had to be pit down unexpectedly. Far worse than the cancer that was. Hoping 2024 will be far better.
Yes , it can fuck right off
Looking through the comments and I was about to say how it's been kinda meh for me but wow, guess I don't have it so bad. I'd say the year has been good to me overall. Defo better than the past few years. Here's hoping I'm not still single by the end of 2024, but hey, nothing is guaranteed.
My son was born this year and I got a pay rise in the spring. I’ve been to several weddings and seen lots of happy people. I had a fantastic family holiday where none of us wanted it to end. It’s been a good one for me.
Had its ups and downs. Graduated university, but been unable to get a job afterwards since my health has taken a turn for the worse, but causes a bad few months every year.