topic So tired of being homeless in Welcome and orientation

So tired of being homeless

Bush_resident — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 11:31:49 GMT

So many years I have been homeless. I'm so tired. I can't go to housing as I can't handle towns and cities. If only housing had bush blocks where I could build a shelter and just be me. Trouble is I don't know me,I'm so tired of the hand I've been dealt that I wish I could just stop forever.

So tired of being homeless

monkey_magic — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 13:16:41 GMT

Hey there bush resident and welcome to beyond blue. I hope you can keep talking to us because there are people here that care about you.

You said that u don't know you is there a reason why? Did something happen a while back or is it the anxiety?

I hope I can help you get to know yourself a little better by communicating on here.

Homelessness and homeless people' s stories are an interest of mine, I've even started my own post about it in the PTSD/ trauma section and people have recently written to me saying that they had been homeless as well.

You are not alone here OK.

Do you feel like saying how homeless life has been for you? Is there anything information you need from us to help you change your situation to make it better?

So tired of being homeless

Croix — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 01:38:44 GMT

Dear Bush resident~

I'll join Steph in welcoming you here. Being homeless is a complete world in itself, different from what most people know and it can be hard explaining and getting understanding. I have never been there but can understand what you say about towns and cities. I live in a small rural town, and that's enough. Born and worked in big cities, not good nowadays, too many people press in, to much to cope with.

My father in law lived in the bush in a one room shack he built himself in the middle of nowhere. I'd visit him with my wife, he lived a different sort of life and just concentrated on essentials. I can understand from knowing him why he lived that way.

Being tired of it all and wishing it would all stop is something I can relate to as I've been there myself. Not knowing who I was and what I was capable of was part of it too When you've been like that for a while remembering who you are fades. A very hard place to get out of by yourself.

I know what helped me, but am unsure what to suggest to you as I don't know your circumstances, it's no use my annoying you by being unrealistic.

Do you think you might like to come back and say more about yourself, how things are at present and what has happened to you in the past to leave you where you are now?

You know you can rung our 24/7 Help Line 1300 22 4636 if you feel overwhelmed by it all, a human voice can be pretty good.

We'd be very pleased if you felt able to come back and talk more

Croix

So tired of being homeless

Bush_resident — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 02:08:13 GMT

13 years homeless as for my past, if I voice it I own it. That would tip me over the edge.

So tired of being homeless

monkey_magic — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 02:25:31 GMT

Okie dokie bush resident,

Do u stay in contact with others in your situation at all like go to the feeds etc where u can engage with the other homeless? I used to do that.

You've been out there for a long time hey. U def know how to survive mate, good one. Keep chatting if you'd like about anything at all 🙂

So tired of being homeless

Bush_resident — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 02:40:47 GMT

There is nobody around. I can go months with no contact. No feed places at all. The thing i hate most is agoraphobia. I really don't like people anymore. Diagnosed PTSD and a lot of other problems. I refuse to take medication as it makes me sleep my life away. Medication for me is not a way to live, its a way to keep the doctor happy. Not me

So tired of being homeless

monkey_magic — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 02:53:30 GMT

Fair call bush resident, it makes me sleepy too. I'm guessing you're not in a big city then.

I was tired of sleeping outside in the past as well so I eventually found a room in a boarding house. Centrelink were able to pay the bond and a couple weeks rent. So there are organizations that can help just need to re- locate sometimes.

You could write a book about your skills out there. The bush residents guide to staying alive. It would be interesting. I think a lot of ppl would find your story interesting.

There are a lot of ppl who read these posts so u can connect on here to others. Even write to others that post that way you have some sort of communication.

So tired of being homeless

monkey_magic — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 03:12:55 GMT

Also,

Agoraphobia would have to be a tough thing. And humans can be weird. What about animals and nature? Do u like the animal kingdom? But then that can be wild as well. Do u have a favourite animal? A favourite food?

So tired of being homeless

Starwolf — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 03:21:44 GMT

Hi Bush Resident, good to meet you.

Reading your posts made me want to connect with you. I too have known homelessness during long stretches of my life. I now live alone in a remote bush area. Like Croix's father in law, I have a primitive little shack minus the usual mod cons. I can spend weeks without talking to anyone, though I can mingle with crowds if I have to, though not for long periods. But I still wouldn't swap this often harsh, lonesome lifestyle for a place in town !

I too have had a horrid past that ended in PTSD among other things. But over the years, I have worked hard on shelving all traumas (a long list) and rebuilding my shattered core. It is true that owning the past doesn't come easy. However, there is no way we can repair the damage done if we cannot confront it. One tiny morsel at the time is easier to swallow...

This is a safe space to connect or unload some of the overload. I hope you will choose to hang around. I'd like to make better acquaintance.

This is a tough time of year for those who are homeless. Depending on where you live, I hope you can find enough shelter and warmth to get by.

So tired of being homeless

Bush_resident — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 03:36:55 GMT

My dog keeps me company. But its not life for a dog either when it was -3 last night. I applied for housing once and they sent me to a block of flats where they were drinking on the walk way at 10am. Im a non practicing alcoholic. They counted it as a refusal of accommodation and kicked me of the list. Asked them not to put me where drinking was going on. I don't ask for much just somewhere to call home away from people. Land here is cheap so I spend a bit on lotto trying to better myself

So tired of being homeless

Croix — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 03:49:08 GMT

Dear Bush resident~

Well 13 years, that's a whole lifetime in some ways. My father in law had an old 'Stout' 2WD truck and used to go to the local store, about an hour away, every couple of weeks or so to for mail and supplies. He had just the one base to come back to - his shack. Being in one place meant he could keep a couple of goats and some chooks. Was in the highlands and got cold. Shack lined in sackcloth. Pot belly stove.

Do you have a base you stay at all the time? Any livestock if you do? I remember my father in law was a bit of a reader of newspapers and magazines, but had to use a kerosene lamp until I fixed him up with a car battery he could run a light and radio from - he could charge it on his truck.

Star, myself, you and maybe Steph (she'd have to say) all have the PTSD thing, not good.

If you'd like give the dog a pat from me.

Croix

So tired of being homeless

Guest_128 — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 08:58:10 GMT

Hi Bushy,

just dropped in to say g'day.

I understand how you love the bush life. I get out there as often as I can. We go to a big property near Wilcannia and are often at West Wyalong and stay in a valley at Merriwa. Love it.

I must say you seem very educated and write very well.

Im gunna have a guess,your dad might be a kelpie?

Later

So tired of being homeless

Guest_128 — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 09:00:05 GMT

Crap not dad, your dog. Or a cattle dog

So tired of being homeless

Bush_resident — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 09:44:20 GMT

He thinks he's a cattle dog.. Shitzu x jacky

So tired of being homeless

Guest_128 — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 09:51:19 GMT

Don't know if he will keep you warm, but should let you know what's about.

Are you up to doing caretaker/ small jobs on properties?

Later

So tired of being homeless

Bush_resident — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 10:07:58 GMT

I used to be in charge of maintenance for millions of dollars in property. Have a wide knowledge of many aspects in property repairs. Don't know how I would be now days due to bad legs and arthritis.

So tired of being homeless

monkey_magic — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 10:13:22 GMT

I like the name bushy,

Hey there snowman I've been doing some research for you. I was walking outside and it' s freezing.

I found the homelessness number 1800 152 152.

I'm thinking they might be able to give you some advice, tips, help. I don't like the idea of you being out there by yourself in this weather.

Do have enough blankets, clothes etc...??

So tired of being homeless

Guest_128 — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 10:15:41 GMT

That's great,we are all getting old,as you know there are a lot of properties out there and they are finding it hard to get workers and a lot of the time they want people to feed the dogs ,animals and a bit of gardening.

What would you like to do?

So tired of being homeless

Bush_resident — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 10:59:13 GMT

Thanks for the number. I won't ring as I don't want anyone trying to put me in accommodation in town or city. Yes I'm warm enough we have good shelter. Not willing to say what or where. One day my luck will change. At the moment I'm thinking , one day I should see the doctor as I think I had a mini stroke a few months ago now.

So tired of being homeless

Bush_resident — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 11:13:22 GMT

Nothing like that around here as there are too many couples about that house sit . couples will always be chosen over a single. As they are seen as stable work force.