topic this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down in Welcome and orientation

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

sparehead — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 05:32:33 GMT

Hi Im new here I was actually enjoying the lockdown till a few days ago - but all the neighbours noises are finally getting to me I just need peace and quiet to be happy -the trail bikes the dup dup music invading my solitude - just being stuck here unable to escape it

any tips and help gratefully welcomed

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

Petal22 — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 06:13:32 GMT

Hi sparehead ,

Wellcome to our forums!

I understand your lockdown would be hard..,

Can you go outside and use a little time to exercise if it’s aloud? You could try mindfullness while you are out….

Meditation is very relaxing, have you tried this?

Hang in there..

Here to chat

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

Ggrand — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 07:24:08 GMT

Hello sparehead,

A very warm and caring welcome to our forums...

Im sorry the noise from your neighbour and the music is getting you...

Its hard to avoid these noises if we are stuck at home...I now this isn’t a full solution..but if you have some head phones to use maybe that would block out some of the noise...just a thought....even you could wear them outside if your allowed out for a walk or a sit in the park...I think it’s within 5 kilometres from home...not sure what state your in...in NSW we are allowed some form of exercise outside...

I used to read a lot, but due to my mental health can’t concentrate long enough...to get away from tractor noises (I live rural NSW).,,I pop my ear phones on and listen to audio books...this seems to work for me...but I do know that what works for one doesn’t mean it works for all..but maybe worth a try..to get your mind of your troubling thoughts....

Talk here whenever you feel up to it...and we will support you the best we can with care and understanding..

My kindest thoughts dear spacehead...

Grandy..

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

Ggrand — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 07:26:30 GMT

Dear sparehead...I am so sorry..looks like auto correct took over and I said your name wrong...I am so sorry..I should have checked before I pressed send..,,

should have been..

My kindest thoughts dear sparehead..

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

james1 — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 08:06:55 GMT

Hello sparehead,

Welcome to the forums!

I'm in Sydney as well and also quite introverted. So while the lockdown hasn't really bothered me too much in the way it has for most of my friends, it's also stopped me from doing things I would normally do to mentally escape or otherwise find my own solitude.

I used to go for quiet bush walks and do indoor rock climbing (noisy area, but it gets me mentally into a zone of quiet), and can't do that anymore. And if my area goes into curfew, I won't be able to do my late night walks which will be a real shame.

In the meantime, I've started doing yoga which I find quite helpful, and I do a lot more reading and podcast listening. What things have you tried to do, or which have helped in the past?

James

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

mocha delight — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 13:44:18 GMT

Hi sparehead just wanted to say welcome to the forums and if you ever need to chat I’m here for you ok.

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

sparehead — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 23:26:59 GMT

thank u Ggrand I also live semi rural hence the trail bikes - and before the houses took over it used to be an orchard area so I do know how annoying the tractors can be sympathy for that - I do have good headphones and can block the noise out but it just realy annoys me and stops me from concentrating I love drawing pencil drawing I will just have to try harder not to let it get to me its nice to have someone who understands to chat to thanks

I love spacehead so thanks Ggrand I will use that somewhere in future

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

sparehead — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 23:41:49 GMT

thanks James I also love to walk in the bush which is just down the road from me but I have been unable to get there for a while due to a lower back issue which is gradually getting better so maybe in a week or so I might be able to walk there again take my sketch book and spend a while - before the lock down I used to drive to the beach where I just feel so at home but thats too far - not allowed now

I havnt tried yoga but have read about benefits but u really need a teacher for this correct?

even though I am on the introverted side of personality I still actually need some face to face contact occasionally and I live alone and I think this is also making me notice the annoying things more as well

thanks for letting me talk to you

Sparehead

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

sparehead — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 23:48:50 GMT

Thank u Petal22 for the welcome I have never done the forum thing before and didnt realise how helpful this actually is - I have just responded to 2 posts and am finding it amazing to actually talk to people who understand so thanks for the warm welcome

Sparehead

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

denismccarthy — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 11:12:22 GMT

How do I get in touch with a mental health nurse in Western Sydney who might offer phone counselling or home visits?

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

james1 — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 07:48:52 GMT

Hello sparehead,

Nice to hear back from you.

Sorry to hear about your back issue, it sounds quite painful. But once it gets better, I hope you get more of a chance to get out and do some sketching. I used to do a bit of drawing as well, but I've not done it in a while. I find it quite hard to do anything creative in lockdown, so I've been trying to read instead.

With yoga, I think it really depends on the person and what they want from it. For me, I just want to do something physical and also need to do some stretching because I have a problem with my neck and shoulders. But I'm not good at stretching on my own and prefer to have someone tell me what to do, so I find youtube yoga videos quite helpful. If you're curious, i basically do the same video by a youtube channel called yoga with adriene, but there are quite a lot out there. If you want to have perfect yoga poses, you will probably need to have an in-person teacher, but for my purposes, youtube is sufficient. Are there benefits that you'd be interested in?

James

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

james1 — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 07:52:26 GMT

Hello denis,

It's nice to meet you.

Have you tried giving the beyondblue phone line a call? They provide brief support if you are looking for someone to talk to, as well as general advice and information as well. Their number is at the bottom of this website, 1300 22 4636.

Otherwise, your local gp might also be able to help provide consistent and regular support, or give you some referral to a nearby counsellor. I think most are now providing counselling services on the phone, due to the pandemic.

I hope you are doing okay.

James

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

sparehead — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 04:44:08 GMT

Hi James

sorry about the delay in replying been busy - i have been walking a bit and sketching I find the burnt out trees from last years bush fires good subject matter for pencil as the contrast is wonderful and the shapes also

with the Yoga I believe it helps with mindfullness I could also do with some good stretching as well ;>) I will check out the the youtube channel you mention

thanks for the help

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

sparehead — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 04:51:58 GMT

Most psychologists offer phone consulting - like James said try beyond blue or your GP to get a mental health care plan so then the visit to the psychologist dosnt cost as much

I saw a councellor for a couple of years for corcercive control issues and it really helped me you can do this anywhere in Sydney although it can take a while to get an appointment - so why not try Beyond Blue or lifeline first then get the other sorted out

here to chat best wishes

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

james1 — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 08:45:01 GMT

Hey sparehead

no worries at all! I haven't been on since I last posted anyway. Everyone's quite busy with their schedules, you're free to post whenever you are able to 🙂

sounds like the walking and sketching is going well. I used to do charcoal drawings and i imagine that would be pretty interesting with that burnt out landscape.

I hope you can find a good way to do some mindfullness and stretching. Take care for now!

James

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

sparehead — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 04:35:50 GMT

Hi James

thanks for the info on yoga with adriene I have checked out her channel and I have started with the core strength one but will try a few more as well - I like her style so thanks for that

did your area go into curfew? how are you going without your night walks?

thanks Sparehead

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

Amanda2000 — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 12:34:46 GMT

Hi sparehead,

I feel the same way. However my issues are literally closer-to-home. I cannot stand having my family at home with me 24/7. I hide in a room most of the time and avoid seeing them. Any noise they make just drives me crazy! To make things worse, a large part of my house is tiled.

My coping strategy is distraction. Sometimes not easy but gotta try to get some enjoyment out of the current way of life.

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

sparehead — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 05:26:50 GMT

Hi Amanda

my heart goes out to you having to endure this -noise has always been a problem for me if I cant control it - I just need my own space to be how I want - I dont live with anyone now and its bliss I use distraction as well drawing does it for me I put the headphones on and just get lost in a pencil drawing and I can walk into the bush and take a sketch pad

are you able to take advantage of the outdoor exercise that is now allowed?

Here to chat best wishes Sparehead

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

james1 — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 10:48:21 GMT

Hey sparehead and Amanda2000,

My sister lived with mum for a bit of covid last year and she also found it really tough. In some way, I'm quite glad I live alone, though I appreciate there are many others who don't thrive alone.

Luckily, I'm not in one of the curfew areas but I am in the inner west with quite a few cases, so I've stopped doing late night walks. I suppose there's no one outside anyway, but I think I've just created an internal rule to not go outside unless I really need to. I haven't found it too bad without my walks - I just do yoga and reading, sometimes listen to an interesting podcast, and I've also found some really fun puzzle games on the xbox which are surprisingly stimulating but also relaxing at the same time. I also have pets so they keep me very busy.

Hope you are doing well 🙂

Oh! One of the things that has been really irritating is I've got construction next door and it's just constant noise from morning to arvo, so I don't even go out to my garden as much anymore. I used to just sit out there to read and relax, but with construction noise, I only do it to get some sun...