Coping with social isolation

[contel3]

I suppose it's hard for everybody. I'm probably not anything special. But today I really need to vent. 

Social isolation is making me feel miserable. I feel so sad today. I am always slow and tired, I don't move enough and recently I've just been feeling completely unstable.....I feel isolated from my family, my friends and I don't see my boyfriend much, because he works at the hospital. Work has also been really slow and while its better than nothing, I don't get to fill all of my time. I have really bad cabin fever, I feel trapped and my anxiety is through the roof. I don't know  how I'm going to do this for several more months. I miss my life before the pandemic so much. I am young, I had a great social life, tons of hobbies and interests....now I feel like everything is on hold and my life is empty. I have a great boyfriend, a great family and great friends that I can't see. I can't do anything outside of my home because its freezing outside and I'm barely able to survive on the work I do. 

 

I know people have worse problems, that many are dying of corona and are worried for their life......but even though my problems seem minor in comparison it's just so hard.

 

I guess I'm looking for encouragement, ideas how to cope......and to hear that I'm not the only one who is starting to lose her mind. 

 

Edited December 18, 2020 by contel3

[Gaeta]

I am starting to feel the same. I had no problem going into full confinement early March and working from home but now fast forward 9 months and this isolation is weighing on me. I miss my adult daughter, my family, and on top of that I broke up a 5 year relationship about 3 weeks ago so I'm pretty down and back working from home where everything reminds me of him. 

So to help it all I concentrate on little home projects. I spent last night cleaning the inside of my fridge, exciting eh? lol, well at least I didn't feel empty inside while I was doing it. Next is my bedroom closet, then I'll probably paint my bathroom, I also got back into sewing, I had abandonned it years ago, I got my old sewing machine out and rediscover how much I like it. 

Try to find a creative activity like drawing, coloring, painting, knitting, sewing, book scrapping, look up on pinterest it's where I get inspired. 

[d0nnivain]

Everybody is going through this to some extent.  

Some of it will require you to make an effort.   First, go for a walk.  Seriously.  Just walk around the block.  The exercise will do you do as will the sun on your face.  Even if it's freezing, the cold air will be bracing.  Staying cooped up won't help.  Smile & say "hi" or "happy holidays" to everyone you see.  Remember as isolated as you feel, other people feel the same way so your effort to bring cheer to them with your greeting will be appreciated.  

What were your hobbies?  Do something to get yourself re-engaged with your hobbies.  Ask Santa for supplies if you need them.  

Try setting up safe things to do with friends & family, even if only a Zoom.  Since Covid I now talk to my college roommate at least 1x per week.  Before it was maybe 3-4x per year.  She also sets up period group Zooms with lots of of our friends from college so we can all visit.  It's helped tremendously.  

Reading & journaling may help.  Stay off social media.  You don't need the pictures of everybody & their happy families when you are blue.  

Do nice things for yourself. Take a relaxing bubble bath.  Build a snowman.  Adopt a pet.  Make a comfort food meal.  Covid is a great time to learn how to cook if that is a skill you lack.  

Can you get a 2nd job somewhere to fill your time & wallet?  Various food delivery services & shop from home services like Insta-Cart are always looking for help.  

[Ruby Slippers]

I relate. I'm feeling a little better now, actively taking small steps to improve my mood, but the past few weeks I felt pretty well stuck in pandemic fatigue. Like you, I'm relatively unaffected compared to many - good job, stable income, working from home, healthy. But this is a volatile, uncertain time, and no one is totally immune from the anxious, worried, fearful energy swirling out there.

I know how easy it is to get cozy in your own little bubble - but it does help to get out as much as you can. Last week I went and got good takeout food for the first time in months, ran a few errands, and that really helped. Even a short walk in the neighborhood can help a lot. I'm doing little things to treat myself. When you're not getting as much love and sweetness from others around you, it's all the more important to practice self-love and be good to yourself.

I'm often the strong, supportive person that friends and family turn to for advice, and lately I've had to draw a line to protect myself from a lot of venting and worrying from other people. I reached my threshold to deal with it and just needed to take care of myself for a while.

This won't last forever. This, too, shall pass. Hang in there 💗

[FMW]

I'm fortunate that my work is busier than ever, but I have been doing it for more than 9 months now in my small loft apartment and even though I love the architectural features, sometimes it starts to feel like a cage.  

Last weekend I re-arranged everything, made new little furniture "groupings".  I visited my storage unit and switched out some art work on my walls (I had a huge house prior to moving to my loft, and I'm keeping things in storage for when I buy another place).  Cooking has never been a big pleasure of mine, but I've started trying out new recipes and switching things up a little bit. 

The changes really picked my mood up, it's surprising how little things can make a big difference.

And at the basis of everything, as has been suggested, is healthy eating and just moving your body.  Even if you can't get outside and don't have exercise equipment at home, as @Gaetasuggested, cleaning provides at least some opportunities to be somewhat active.  Cleaning my oven is always a workout for me (I bake a lot of chicken and it seems to create a big mess!).

A brief walk outside will help, just make sure to dress warmly.  If you go grocery shopping, park at the back of the lot and even though it's really cold the few extra minutes of brisk air will be refreshing as @d0nnivain and @RubySlippersrecommended.  

[Wiseman2]

Reach out to others. Volunteer in an animal shelter, a soup kitchen, a hospital, delivering meals to needy or elderly. Whatever is available in covid times.

Ask a friend or two how they're doing. Catch up with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers.

 

[alphamale]

2 hours ago, Wiseman2 said:

Reach out to others. Volunteer in an animal shelter, a soup kitchen, a hospital, delivering meals to needy or elderly. Whatever is available in covid times.

Ask a friend or two how they're doing. Catch up with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers.

 

Listen to Wiseman2

[Emilie Jolie]

17 minutes ago, alphamale said:

Listen to Wiseman2

Absolutely, @alphamale. Stellar legal advice all over the board, as well as many original pearls of wisdom such as the above🤩 🤩. LS superhero, no?