I'm a bereavement counsellor and your words really resonate with me and I like your message of self care and self protection very much. You're a smart woman Lizzie (outside and in) I wish you peace and comfort xxx

I absolutely love your little speech about the falsehoods and trying times of Christmas. The rates of attempted and completed suicides rise dramatically during the holiday season, and it’s partly because of the reasons that you’ve given. If someone is lonely, and doesn’t have friends and family around them, seeing happy people wax on about how amazing Christmas is is incredibly isolating, and can make people feel like they’re failing. It seems impossible to me that these KZfaqrs have 25+ perfect amazing days full of nothing but Christmas joy. That’s not to say that their content isn’t good, but it’s just unrealistic.

Thank you for this, Lizzy. I find Christmas time to be a lonely time: you see people with close friends and family, having traditions and looking forward to them all year long. It can feel lonely when you don't have that. It's not the same as bereavement, but there's a sort of sorrow in realizing that one doesn't have what seemingly everyone else has. So thank you for addressing this topic xx

Thank you. The comments make me simultaneously sad and comforted that we're all in this together. Even though I don't have a family of my own or a partner to share the holidays with, I still have my parents and sister with her kids to spend Christmas with. I get through that fine and it is lovely. What really seems to get me is New Year's Eve. That moment where they count down the seconds, release the fireworks and I see people cheering for a happy new year, I can't help but feel incredibly sad and alone and like I am not making most of the time given to me. My heart sinks every time, even surrounded by friends and family. It's the same feeling that overcomes me at night, staring at the ceiling unable to sleep.

Totally agree with you, sickly sweet and quite childish. Grown women acting like Santa might pop down the chimney ffs. And yes, if there is a loss it’s terribly hard. Great vlog , thank you.

Thanks for this Lizzie. I appreciated it when you discussed this last year and do so all the more this year as sadly I have lost two very close and dear family members recently. It’s tough and no, I have absolutely no inclination to be forcefully happy or celebratory at all this year and probably for several years to come. Sometimes we forget that grief touches ALL of us eventually and though you will laugh and be happy again, nothing will ever replace that person you lost and the fact that your life has changed forever. I’m sorry you have already learned these hard life lessons at such a young age, but the upside of loss is understanding and compassion which you clearly have in spades. Sending you lots of love ❤️

Hallelujah,...thanks Lizzie for your intelligent empathetic video. Definitely one of your very best. I find Christmas is just a reminder of all that I have lost. Worse still are all those well intentioned people who enquire after the event if you had a “good one.” So no Christmas paraphernalia in my flat but me hiding in the cupboard waiting for it all to be over. You are a joy to watch and a treat on Sunday’s mornings with my porridge. Keep up your excellent content in 2018. 💕💕👌

I work in retail, for me part of Christmas means overtime working, working while I'm sick, dealing with unreasonable customers, having to clean up at the store till midnight, and also getting up for early opening hour in the winter😂

Thankyou for talking about this Lizzy! Its refreshing on a youtube that is so full of expensive advent calendars and festive hauls, when in reality I and many others are not finding it the season of joy for various reasons. Really, really refreshing x

Can so see how much you are growing Lizzy - personally and your work and maturity, Growth is tough and you have very high highs and low lows. Best wishes for this time of year - your not alone in having a tough time so thank you for sharing. X

As someone who struggled with infertility, I wholeheartedly agree with your message. Christmas is indeed a reflective time, which comes with both positive and negative life events. Thank you for the reminder that this 'joyful' season may indeed by harder for others.

The holidays have been difficult for me since losing my dad. I very much appreciate your views about this. Thank you so much for talking about it and advocating for self-care. Merry Christmas to you and your mom and loved ones.

As always, thank you so much for being honest. I would never be one to knock how people cope some people enjoy the candy and bubblegum super cheerful holiday vlogs cause it's an escape for them and that's totally fine but not everyone has to feel super happy during the holiday season. It's a bittersweet time of year for me like many other people and it is comforting to see happy families and people just being safe and having fun but it's even more comforting to know that I'm not alone in my more somber moods. I give the people who display the height of holiday cheeryness the benefit of the doubt we may never know what's actually going on in their lives and if that's how they get through it then that's fine. I agree with doing what you have to to make this time of year bearable no one can fault you for that. The vlog was great just like all of them are great cause it was real.

I am so happy that more people have started to talk about not feeling happy and positive all the time around Christmas and having down days. I always used to get excited for christmas but in recent years the pressure to have an amazing day and the build up has always lead to disappointment for me. I went through a tough break up this year and not having someone special to share the Christmas period with also makes this time of year much harder and more lonely. Thank you for always being so honest and open with your audience, its so nice to know that there are others struggling with this time of year too and its completely normal. xx

I love how you touch on the difficulties the holidays bring to people. It's very much hidden in society and that's wrong. It should be discussed. Thank you.

Love your honesty regarding Christmas Lizzy. it’s going to be my first one with out my husband David as he died of myelofibrosis (form of blood cancer) in June.I have watched your vlogs since losing David and you have really helped my journey.Sending my love to all the people in a similar situation.x

I loved this vlog- I appreciate how honest and real it is! You are so relatable and that's why your channel and blog is my favourite! Perfect mix of real life and inspiring content and fashion! Sending lots of love your way and hope you and your mum have a lovely Christmas

Loved the talk about christmas! I enjoy your vlogs no matter what mood you are in because as you said it is just a reflection and shows that not everything is sunshine and paradise :)

Omg thank you Lizzy! I was so confused about how I was feeling and you've honestly hit the nail on the head. I enjoy the build up to Christmas and New year's but then when the day is here i feel sad and down but I never know why! Honestly you're my favourite vlogger ❤

Hi Lizzy, I appreciate your honesty on this subject as well. I lost my oldest son (17) at the time to an automobile accident 13 yrs ago and my holidays, birthdays, have never been the same. I call it "bittersweet". You are in a fight with your heart and mind to be happy, yet your screaming inside because of a loved one or two that is not there celebrating with you!!!! Pain of loss is never overcome, we just learn to deal with it the best way we can. Much love during a very difficult time. ❤

I so, so agree and appreciate your point about the 'sickly-sweetness' of Christmas content, it's something I'd been thinking a lot about too. This time of year can be tough for many people, it's so refreshing to get a sense of awareness and empathy, seeing as that is what this time of year is about traditionally. Love your stuff and hope you have a lovely Christmas & New Year. x

Thank you so much for touching upon the fact that Christmas is such a hard time for people, and I remember you saying this last year too. For this to be acknowledged by someone I look up to, and is also so real about this time of year, makes me feel okay in myself that I also get down about it. Everyone expects you to be so happy and joyful, but for me it’s a time of reflecting on the family members I’ve lost who made Christmas for me as a child. Wishing you all the best, and take care x

Hi Lizzy, Your words about how hard Christmas can be were so welcome to me last year after I had lost my dad a few months before. I’m so glad you’re addressing this again and know there will be others out there now that will appreciate it. xxx

Hi Litzy. I just wanted to thank you for this vlog. I found it very healing, comforting, and relatable. You apologize for your vlogs but I just love the authenticity. Love seeing snippets of your life too. Have a wonderful visit with your mom!

I'm so sorry about your knee, Lizzy. I hope you feel better soon, sending lots of love your way. Appreciated the candid and honest chat about Christmas being a difficult time, as well. Thank you!

I wanted to thank you for being so open, real and sincere. Your words touched my heart and I share your sentiments. It is very discouraging watching others with seemingly perfect lives when mine is out of sorts. I appreciate that you show the blemishes and calamities and not so perfect days. It only makes me respect you more. I hope your knee is healed and that you continue to thrive. Merry Christmas!

Oh Lizzy this is just so wonderful and so real. I find myself continually grateful for your commitment to honesty and thoughtfulness in your vlogs.

Thank you Lizzy for always being so real and honest in every video! Very few youtubers are open about self care, mental health or having hard/off days and your chat today about self care and self protection around the holidays really resonates with me. I've notice over the last few years, this time of year can be very mentally draining, and I'm always convinced I'm the only one having hard days during this very "festive and happy" time of year. Thank you for opening up and talking about not feeling happy and positive all the time around Christmas and having down days. You are so relatable and that's why your channel and blog is my favourite! Wishing you and your mum a wonderful Christmas ☺️💖🎄

Your talk really touched me Lizzie, I've lost two family members in the past month and really not feeling Christmas at all. Haven't been watching any vlogs except yours, so I'm with you on that one! Thanks for being so real and letting us all know we're not alone in feeling this way ❤

Lizzy, thank you so much for this video. Your openness and honesty are the reasons why time and time again I come back and watch your videos. Everything you said is so very true, Christmas has become a time where you feel like you have to be happy and the whole vlogmas thing overexposes that to an unhealthy degree, so that when your life does not meet those expectations you feel almost guilty for not being happy (which is utterly ridiculous!). I really respect you for this, and totally relate on a personal level. I really appreciate how genuine you are. Thank you x

Thank you for being so honest Lizzy, it's so refreshing. I have to say sometimes when you watch people on youtube and only see lives portrayed in ways that bear no resemblance to your own it can feel quite alienating, especially at this time of year when everyone seems to be busy doing Christmassy things and opening extravagant advent calendars. So thank you for being real and showing that not everything is easy; you do it with such grace! x

You are a brave woman Lizzie. You're candor is heart felt. For many your term bittersweet is perfect and I would think resonates with many. Thank you for normalizing what is real life feeling for so many of us. Wishing you a good visit with you mom continued success in the new year. You are appreciated.

As always, you are a breath of fresh air. Thank you for being candid, real, and supremely honest.

Lizzy, thank you so much for your words about grief and the holidays. Your videos are the only ones I've watched during this time, and I knew there was a reason why. I've lost my Dad and cousin (who was like my sister)- both to cancer, and an uncle to suicide. It's really hard watching others frolic around and talk about Christmas like it's the happiest time for everyone. You don't want to put a damper on things, so you just feel alone in your feelings. Thank you for not making me feel alone. :)

Lizzie I've had the same feeling this year. It never occurred to me that this is a time of year that reminds many of loss and painful memories, until I experienced it for myself. Thanks for bringing a voice to that so well xx

Agree with you on the other side of Christmas. I recently lost my grandmother last December 12 and let me tell you organizing her wake and funeral while everyone’s gearing up for the holidays was tough as hell. Not to mention the nightmare it was for family members to travel to attend the wake while airports were going crazy with the travel rush. Needless to say, we can’t celebrate Christmas now without associating it with the loss of our beloved grandmother. 🙁🙁🙁 But thanks so much in shedding light on another side of the holiday season that often gets swept under the rug. More power to your channel!

This is actually one of my favourite vlogs of yours. I can't tell you how refreshing it is that you're not shoving a merry little Christmas down your viewers throats. Keep being you and doing your thing Lizzie, it is very welcomed. xo

my mum died 24 years ago on the18th of December, her funeral was one day before Christmas...which has never been the same for me since then, i still love Christmas, but i can´t feel the same about it, as before! Merry Christmas, Lizzy 🎄and thanks for your inspirations

Hi Lizzy, I'm not someone who usually comments but I just wanted to say thank you for your heart to heart about how hard it can be in the christmas time if you're grieving. I'm personally grieving myself, and your words really hit home. It was really nice to know that it was not just me, but that someone else acknowledges the feeling as well. I'm so glad that I found your youtube channel this year, you are definitely one of a kind and i love your authenticity and your genuineness. lots of love. p.s. I currently live in Denmark but I am also from/have lived in London. Your vlogs are especially great to watch when I'm missing my other home! x

This is why I love you Lizzy, I love that you don’t hold back on your opinions when they’re important to you. I lost my mum this November and, as I already work in retail so it’s been ‘Christmas’ since September, I’m steering completely clear of all Vlogmas. Thank you for speaking on this, as usual this vlog was amazing. 😌

Honestly I've grown so much into liking your vlogs just the way they are. No Christmasy expectactions, you do you, people watch you for your personality and creativity! You're wonderful xxx

I loved your honesty - it felt like you were saying exactly how I felt. Love your vlogs & your attitude.

I"m so glad you've talked about this, I love Christmas and have really felt disappointed in myself for not feeling really happy and looking forward to it this year. Everyone around me seems happy and like you mentioned, I felt the pressure to become all happy and go lucky on KZfaq when in reality I was far from it, was totally unsure of how to approach content at this time of year. Sending you all the love and thanks for making me feel not so alone in how I feel xx

I love watching your vlogs always but especially when I'm reminded just how down to earth and gracious you are. The holidays are not my favorite for many reasons so it's nice to hear another person say it's ok to not be filled with gum drops and candy canes for the holidays. Enjoy your time with your mom and can't wait to see what 2018 will have for you! Thanks for taking us on your journey.

Your vlogs are a breath of fresh air. One of your best. Thank you X

Thank you so much for this vlog Lizzy. You’re always so real and honest, no matter what is going on in your life. Christmas can be very hard for lots of people, myself included, and it’s nice to know that we can all take some small comfort in knowing we’re not alone. Don’t ever apologise for being you and being real, that’s what we love the most about you! You make the best content on KZfaq as a result 💕💕

you are not alone, and i’m so relieved that you pointed out the folly in being overly-festive! i’m fortunate to not have gone through any major loss at the moment but i am going through change, and the combination of that with being far from my family this holiday season hasn’t sat well with me since near summertime. now that we’re a couple days out i’m actually looking forward to having the day done and moving forward with whatever life brings next, yknow? good luck to you this season xx

Your face drinking that coffee was just EVERYTHING. Love you Lizzie, you are a gem, and I agree 100% with Christmas, I really struggle at this time of year, but force myself into it for my son, then cry at night when he is sleeping! :( Just catching up with your vlogs, and as always you are a pleasure

I really respect you Lizzy, I respect how honest you are, and how real and honest your content is. It Is so refreshing in a time where so many people use click bate.

You're literally the only vlogger I watch and the thoughtful things you said in this video reminded me why. Thanks Lizzy x

Lizzy, thank you so much for talking about this. It sometimes feels so lonely when you don’t feel happy around this time of year. I lost my dad a few years ago and also my best friend in Grenfell this year and it’s especially hard to deal with at Christmas. The more people talk about it, the better xx

Cannot appreciate more what you said about Christmas. Processing pain can be such a hard thing especially around this time of year. I was glad to hear you mention it in such a graceful way. Also, I have a similar problem with my left knee. My kneecap popped out on several occasions and it is never fun! I could feel your pain just watching your swollen knee😭

thank you for speaking about this. The last couple years I've been struggling with depression and it makes the holidays tough. This year it was a little better but it was still difficult. It's a time when everyone seems so joyful, and it's further isolating really.

So true Lizzy. Great to see a post like this. I know people who have lost loved ones close to Christmas and really struggle to be cheery for those around them. It's a good time to be around family and loved ones, but as you are and know that you have supportive people around you. I loved Instagram and watching KZfaq and it wouldn't be hard to think that everyone is having the best December and Christmas ever and comfortably spending thousands on presents. Haha.

Very refreshing to hear these comments so thanks for being honest and addressing this, something I can relate to very well right now. We love you Lizzie!

Oh Lizzy, I loved the honesty in this vlog. I'm currently having a really tough time - my mental health is awful, and since Christmas is such a 'happy' time of year it's almost like I feel like I'm not allowed to be sad or down. Look after yourself lovely lady - you do whatever you need to do! xxx

Hi Lizzie, I appreciate your honesty about how you feel this time of year. Since entering adulthood I have found Christmas difficult to enjoy. This year we had our house broken into and were robbed, but putting that aside something always seems to go wrong this time of year. I think the expectations are just too high and it leaves me feeling down. I hope to feel more positive soon and I hope you do too x

Lizzy, I think we all appreciate your realness and that really connects your audience to you. In an era where YT has turned so much into a business (understandable) and KZfaqrs focus more on what they think the audience wants is really refreshing to watch someone so real and genuine as you. Been following since the begging. Keep it up, girl! 😀

Thank you for addressing this issue Lizzy, as much as we all want the magical christmas experience, it can also be an unbearably sad reminder of change and loss. I’m new to your channel this year, but I love your mature and honest point of view. Thanks again.

I loved your statement. Very well put and oh so relevant. Thank you for caring. Loved the vlog as a whole. Lots of love.

Thanks for your comments on Christmas Lizzy, I really don’t love Christmas, this year I’m going to be in the hospital with my mum who’s getting cancer treatment and it’s never been a great holiday for me anyway. People keep asking me what I’m doing for Christmas expecting me to be all excited and cheerful and they’re always so disappointed when I say I’m not doing much and I don’t love it and try to change the subject. I even got called the grinch recently! So thank you for voicing your opinion on it, as a content creator it could be considered an important time of year for you in terms of sales and purchases etc etc so I think it’s super cool and honest of you not to totally buy into it. But I love New Years! I always think it’s such a great time to reflect and get motivated for the coming year. I also think 2018 is going to be a great year! And good luck with your knees, I too have crappy knees and I totally feel your pain! Much love from Australia, really love your videos and who you are as a person, can tell you’re a great chick xxx

Don't be sorry, your honesty is totally refreshing and way more genuine than the sugar sweet that is everywhere else. I don't always comment but I consistently love your content, so creative and unique. Keep doing you cos it's pretty damned fine!!!

I wish we had more language to talk about loss and grief collectively, as it has been pushed to the background. Thank you so much for being open here, and definitely get in all the self care and rest that you can!

It is so fresh listening To you saying that xmas as amazing as it might be its also the hardest part of the year. Love your honesty. Keep up.

Looooved this vlog because of the speech at the beggining! It's refreshing to see someone on youtube being so real and honest xxx

Christmas is a weird time, my dad died when I was 21, and I'm now estranged from my family. It is a bittersweet time of year and I do get down. But I have a lovely husband, a wonderful son and good friends so I also do get excited ( esp for my son) and do enjoy plenty about this time of year. But as a working mum of a school age son it is so MUCH WORK and so much juggling, I'm overwhelmed and exhausted and having minor panic attacks. But it will be worth it because I want to make good memories for my son. All a very long winded way of saying, yes I get where you are coming from. Happy Christmas to you and your mum! X

Hope you're ok Lizzy!! I am in a very similar situation to you and am finding Christmas extremely hard this year. I am usually in such high-spirits from November 1st but there is something about Christmas nostalgia that is bringing me downnnnnnn. Just get pissed with your friends and family and look forward to a fresh start in January! Merry Christmas xxxxx

Hahaha that part where you told your mum to skip because you're showing us her present is so cute! My mum was sitting behind me while I was watching the video so I shared that moment with her and we both found it so lovely and sweet!!

I love your vlogs and instagram posts in general anyway but especially loved this one because of your vlogmas discussion, but also the fact you also have knee dislocation problems! I feel your pain and the cold weather always makes me cringe as I also am so conscious of falling over this time of year !

Thank you for addressing the Christmas issue, I feel the same way. I recently quit my job for various reasons and for a while I have to manage on a tight budget. Needless to say that when you don't feel like spending your money over pricey decorations, a multitude of gifts, a seasonal shopping spree, a whole lot of food you are not being very "Christmassy" and the holiday season feels strange and gloomy. Continue to speak your truth, girl !

Honestly the best vlog I've seen in a while. Thank you Lizzy for always keepin it real xxx

Loved your talk about christmas. I always feel sad this time of year, but without any real reason. Most of my family dislike the holiday, but my mum really likes it, so I try every year to get into it for her, otherwise the rest of my family would probably try to cancel it. So I like the christmassy vlogmas (to try and get into the "christmas" feeling), and the more real, reflective vlogmas. Also, I've been writing a thesis this year over the christmas period and it has seriously helped me, because all days I'll be writing and can't focus on feeling low, but then in the evening I find I want to do something else to get the focus away from the paper.

Hello Lizzie. Hearts are muscles, and the sad you are feeling right now will make it stronger. Even if it hurts to exercise it in this way. You goodness and your integrity shine through even when you are upset. Happy Christmas. It will get better. Take care.

incredibly happy to hear someone talk about this, i was feeling like i'm the only one who gets very emotional around christmas- in a sad kind of way. my parents are divorcing this coming january (i'm 22 and living in a different country), and christmas this year will not feel the same. even though my family will be getting together, possibly for the last time, it doesn't feel right and feels like the moments of my childhood are fleeting. on top of that, my family is know to be very closed up and non-communicative, so things that people keep bottled up during the year always come out around christmas... anyway, i'm looking forward to seeing everyone, but christmas for me is a very mixed-emotional time. so thank you lizzy for talking about it!

I so appreciate your initial talk! All social media platforms give a false illusion of how the holidays should be for everyone and it's not a realistic standard to uphold. Although I'm not personally negatively affected by it, I have friends who are and your phase of "sickly sweet" is its best description. Thank you for always being honest and striving to put out real content Lizzy!

Lizzy please don't apologise! You are not failing, you are doing really well to turn out content during a time of year that means you relive your grief on a daily basis. Your wellbeing is FAR more important than this website. Taking mental health days are necessary and should be encouraged in the work place. If you worked in an office, your manager would probably know this is a difficult time for you just as we know on your platform. If people aren't nice about it then they are small minded.

Lizzy your vlogs are some of the most genuine and entertaining ones on the internet and you need to stop apologising for the content you put up. I personally look forward to your vlogs every week and think they are great, especially when youre just at home, doing mundane things (partly because I think your apartment is absolutely gorgeous and love to see it in the background). please dont be sorry for being real and true. i hope you can allow yourself to stick to doing what YOU need to do and not get caught up in expectations. you are talented and beautiful and inspiring and we love your work.

thank you for sharing your feelings on this difficult time of year and being honest. i hope you can still enjoy your time with your mother and good friends

Thank you SO much for calling out Christmas. I find it very tough every year and the more everyone else heralds it, the worse I feel.

Thank you for keeping it real!! Happy holidays to you and your (lovely) mom. xx from LA

Love this video Lizzy! Always good to remember that you don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not no matter what time of the year it is. I appreciate you sticking to your guns and keeping your content the way you like it! Also those cords are fabbbbb!

I love your vlogs, and this one too. I feel like the older I get, the less I enjoy Christmas and find it increasingly stressful. Glad to hear I'm not the only one not really feeling this time of year. Nonetheless, wishing you and your Mum a peaceful Christmas time

hi there - new subscriber here! tbh i totally think you should do some photos with crutches! i bet viewers with disabilities or chronic injuries/pain would feel like it was something they could connect with. and i bet you'd look great regardless. happy holidays and love from toronto xo

Great stuff Lizzie / just love your vlogs xx you are wise and mature beyond your years and I enjoy your authenticity xxx December is just enough month. Keep trucking ! Xxx lots of hugs xxx

I love this vlog in particular Lizzy, you shouldn't apologise or feel like it's not been a good one, it's been my favourite vlog of yours. I love your vlogs (and also Lindsey's too) in particular because I find them to be so honest. I know you maybe don't want to vlog when you're feeling low and sharing it on the internet, but I wanted to say don't ever feel like it's not a good one because you're having a tougher than average week. I really enjoy when you're very honest. My feelings when watching vlogs in general is that everything is so light and saccharinely sweet, like people's lives are filled only with great and light stuff. In comparison it actually makes me feel more alienated and awful about my own life that I have ups and downs and it's not like what I see on KZfaq at all. I start to feel like I haven't got it as together as others, or maybe that's what my life should also be like too. Showing your vulnerability and your less than happy moments as well as the good is very honest and refreshing. It makes me feel like I see a 'real' life like I see my own and there's a connection and kind of sharing there that feels very human. It also helps me to deal with moments of mine when I also feel less than good, I find you to be a positive figure and in turn I also learn from you new ways of coping with my emotions and how to be kind to myself when I'm not feeling well.

So true and so eloquently put. You’re definitely a breath of fresh air. X

Loved this vlog. So true about the "Christmas spirit" obession everywhere. This is my second Christmas since my mum passed away last year, and like last year me and my dad are going away. I really hope you have a nice Christmas, and more important a good proper brake from work. I can really tell how hard you're working cus all your content are so damn inspiring! I been thinking more and more about how I would love to try a blog, but it's scary. Anyway, you're such an inspiration in so many ways! :)

Thank you for talking about this lovely lady ! 🙏🌟

I love how I can always relate to you Liz. Thanks for sharing 😊 sending you hugs

thank you for putting your thoughts into words so well, lots of love and support!

So true. Christmas is a time of year I dread and this year is no different. False jollity and unreasonable expectations drive me to drink - literally!

Lovely honest heart warming video x so true about the Xmas blues! Side note, never seen any of your videos before, and love your hair and style x have a nice holidays

I’m sorry about your knee first ! Second I commend you for putting up something so helpful to so many I literally had that sort of day today and when I was talking to my fiancé to say good night on the phone I opened up the conversation with I need a hug and this huge kiss I’m not having such a good day. And it’s like when you put it out there it starts to heal itself from that point on the conversation turned into laughter. So I guess Once you put it out there it starts to heal itself and that’s what I would say to you plus I would give you a hug.

I appreciate your openess a lot! Hope you're feeling better, Lizzy, or if not, you have people around you who care. Best wishes from Berlin.

Totally agree with you about christmas. I also live alone, and don't do any decorations, and feel like "please get over all the joy!"

Awk Lizzy, I hope you feel a little bit better next week! I know its hard to get through this time of year when your not feeling the best but we're always here for you and we'll understand if you want to take breaks once in awhile to unwind x

Thank you whole heartedly for being so real and honest. It's super refreshing compared to those who are all confetti canons and glitter regardless of whats going on in their own lives. I lost my dad over 10 years ago and Christmas is still odd. Over the years it has got better but it's just lost it's 'sparkle', almost like I now auto-pilot through it?

I really appreciate your speech about Christmas, I feel like you do!

Thank you for your comments on the difficulty of grief and Christmas Lizzy xx

Lizzy!!! I feel you so much about the knees, I have the same ongoing problem except just my left knee, it's really bad. It dislocates itself randomly, sometimes when I'm just walking, or if I slip on something, etc etc and then swells up for ages afterwards and gets worse when it's not "healed" and it dislocates again... I wore a knee brace for a full year last year. I also got a 'loose body' that caused some damage to my cartilage and I had to get an operation to remove that this summer; be aware of any changes in your knees and go to your doctor because there are so many things that can happen from the habitual dislocation. I'm thinking perhaps you have loose ligaments? Be careful! Just a tip, avoid going up or down the stairs even when it makes you look lazy, esp down the stairs; it can really strain the knee. Really take care, I wish you the best!