In support of others in challenging times.

[Guest_9043]

Hi,

Don't expect anyone to respond to this. It's just a post to talk about how I am feeling and to offer much love and understanding to those who are also struggling. For the first few weeks I did not take Covid 19 too seriously. I knew Italy had been hit hard and I truly felt so much for Italy. Sad even. Felt powerless to help. I at first got so angry with Australians panic buying. I was so annoyed at the ridiculousness of it and thought it would blow over very soon. I was wrong, it got much worse. I found myself getting very depressed after a shopping trip for a weekly shop. I was upset I could not get certain things to make meals. I was upset I could not even get a bottle of hand sanitizer or methylated spirits to make my own hand sanitizer.

Then the government started making changes, social distancing and events I was going to were cancelled. From there on in it was a snowball effect. In my state of WA, our borders were shut today and no businesses with food such as restaurants, cafes, pubs are not allowed open after 12pm daytime. Gyms, cinemas, casino and nightclubs all shut down. I'm concerned about the clean up after this has eased more. Many people have lost their jobs with no second income. People will hardly be hiring right now. The hit to the economy is going to have a large dent in it.

I'm really struggling to even come to terms with such rapid and fast changes.

I just want to wish you all better days sooner rather tater. Keep your heads up and pay attention to washing your hands very popular.

I wish everyone very well and take good always.

2quik.

[Guest_9043]

Hi Dools,

I just want to acknowledge your post and say I will respond later.

[Guest_4643]

Hi 2quick, thank you for this thread. Unfortunately it's a hard time for everyone. We all have to try our best to take care of our mental and physical health, as hard as it is.

Take care and be safe everyone!

- Tayla.

[Guest_1643]

hi 2quick,big wave to all else here,

I totally relate to what you are writing. I was the same, my mental health came first and it took me a little while to fully commit to the restrictions. I was going to shops still with social distancing, not for the goods, but more for the social interaction, and to feel part of a community. As it got more serious, I had to change and it annoyed me very much for the first few days. And terrified me.

I'm glad you find the Facebook groups helpful, and that's a nice element that people you'd never think you could speak to, are sharing and being helpful. I'm glad you've got that, because it's really hard to find supportive groups over this time. People say "Just join an online group," - but i find that quite challenging.

i'm sorry this time is so hard foryou, and just wanted to tell you I really hope this situation eases 🙂

[Guest_9043]

Hi Dools,

Hope this finds you a tiny bit better. I see you have so much going on. I only can encourage you to pick up your art. It is a great expressive tool with no rules attached. I cannot help you with the motivations side of things, yet I can say start one tiny step at a time, break everything down into bite size pieces and chew on it for as long as you feel the need before taking the next bite.

I also encourage you to cry when you want/need too. It has been scientifically proven that tears actually carry out emotions in them, our feelings in them, our pain, our joys, our happiness.

As for work I would go for as long as I could because it gets you out a bit and makes you some money. Maybe you could use that time since there is not much to do, to work on thoughts, feelings and emotions?

Keep your chin up in these hard times.

[Guest_9043]

Hi Sleep21,

I suspect many people including myself are feeling what you are feeling. I just today have decided I can no longer go to shopping centres anymore. I went to just get a handful of items today, in and out as quick as I could and I actually broke down in tears this afternoon. I am going to work out something else. I have some options now, however I will no longer be going food shopping. I just cannot manage at all.

Yes, I understand and agree it is hard to find online supportive groups. I actually am only on one besides Beyond Blue (my main home) I don;t particularly like Facebook and wasn't a Facebook user until this hit. I will not join any other online groups, I have other things that take up plenty of my time. I do not want to rely on social media as I am not a huge fan of it these days. I do not have any friends of my Facebook as I do not want any. My FB page is also completely bare and it will stay that way. I limit my time there as well.

You do what is right for you and in your best interests only. Thank you, I hope this situation ease too.

Be good to you.

2quik.

[Doolhof]

Hi 2quik and Hi to everyone reading,

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I know I have trouble with my mental health plummeting quickly so I do want to engage in positive activities that will help me.

Today I will get my paints out, use bright colours and see what happens.

There are dead bushes out in the garden I can try to cut down and clean up.

I will phone some older ladies from Church and see how they are getting on.

I will phone my parents and check on them.

I am thankful I have employment, there is so much more I could be doing there right now to help those around me. My current role is limited.

Regarding shopping, are the supermarkets in your area still doing home deliveries? I know in some areas they have stopped doing this. Hope you can put something in place.

I respect your thoughts on Facebook and other online groups. I feel they can be beneficial and detrimental depending on our moods and how we use them.

Thanks again for your kind words, they have meant a lot to me.

Kind regards to all from Dools

[Guest_9043]

Hi Dools,

You are welcome. I am glad you are making your own efforts and it does not matter if you did not do it all today. The fact that you have made a start is fantastic in itself. I believe mental illness or not everyone is having their struggles right now. I just want you to know you are definitely not alone in it. My day was really really hard today I struggled through the entire day. As for shopping I am going to get it organised no matter what. I just cannot attend anymore. My stress levels are beyond through the roof and I am not coping.

I understand what you say about Facebook. I am a very minimal user. I do not believe sitting on it for a hours a day at all. I want to make better use of my time.

Take good care Dools. Thinking of you.

2quik.

[Guest_1643]

Hey 2quick,

just wanted to say hello to you and hope you are okay....it is very hard these days with isolation, wishing you a good one tomorrow and that you wake rested. p.s. I'm excited SBS is doing an Adam Driver focus, showing movies of him every night. you are right : sbs is great.

[Guest_9043]

Hey Sleepy21.

Hello and thank you. I hope things are well with you. It is hard hitting that is for sure. I am not happy with the new latest decisions of government. This is taking things just way too far and is going to cause huge problems. I do not mean to disobey what government says at all, shutting down our lives as we know it in every single way is not right. Yet, I am so beyond mentally exhausted all I want to do is sleep anyway. I have no idea hwo Adam Driver is but I will google. I hope you find great joy in watching SBS. I am watching the new Inspector Rex episodes.

[Guest_1643]

Hey 2quick, nice to hear from you... Definitely hard-hitting these days, and just overall a bizarre and unpredictable life. (Not to be too negative... but also just to call it what it is!!) Inspector Rex sounds amazing , SBS on demand really delivers. Sending support and good tv always