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]

Hey sleepy21,

Yep, I just wake up everyday now and go yep OK what craziness is the world going to throw in the mix today? Today I decided you know what, just let go of it all. Life will be so much easier. So I have done just that and I do pretty much what I like when I like now. Inspector Rex is awesome. It is in Italian. Not to everyone's taste I suppose. Long live SBS! I also replied to your very first post. Cheers to good TV, keep your head up.

[Doolhof]

Hi 2quik, Sleepy21 and all reading,

Sorry to read you have been hit hard at present 2quik.

Distractions are good when we don't know what to do with ourselves or find we have little motivation.

I make myself a list of things to do during the day. If I don't achieve any of them or do something totally different, that is okay.

The list is always there for the next day.

Having a routine does help...when I can stick to it! Having plans and goals is beneficial. Being realistic with expectations of self is also important.

One day at a time right! We might get some rain here, I am looking forward to that!

Cheers all from Dools

[Guest_1643]

Hi 2 quick, yes the world is absolutely crazy, you are totally right there... so do we just go with it then? Resisiting it has been tiring me out. I went to the supermarket today which was stressful to be around so many people in masks - i even saw very small children in them. Just such an odd thing to see.

sbs forever. It's been such a reliable friend over this time. Definitely long live SBS

[Guest_1643]

HI Dools, your idea of a list is really good. It really can help. I think the lack of structure can be a little terrifying for some (puts hand up!).
I will give it a try. Thanks

[Doolhof]

Hi Sleepy and All,

I'm going to update my list. I might even make different sections such as

- Tasks/jobs I could do (and make them achievable)

- Pleasurable activities

- Exercise

- Taking care of mental health (Might be meditating, writing down thoughts in my head, listening to music etc)

I'm also finding I need a routine. My husband comes home from work at different times during the day and that messes up my routine! Ha. Ha.

I now try to do activities where I want to relax and concentrate when he is not at home, as he likes to have the radio or the T.V. blaring constantly and that does my PTSD brain in when it just needs quiet.

If I become agitated I go for a walk or go out into the garden.

A daily schedule could be beneficial as well. Once again, if it is not followed, that doesn't matter. At least it is there as a guide.

Cheers all from Dools

[Guest_1643]

Hi Dools, I agree, that's the way i go for it too.. its amazing how our mind gets at ease when we have a direction. I love how you put pleasurable activities in there. So smart. I'm hoping your list continues to grow and develop and give good support

[Guest_9043]

Hi Sleepy, I am limiting contact as much as I can with the external world right now. It is just way too much to see more madness when I am dealing with two quite literally insane people that were in my life for longer than they should have been. I just cannot manage that on top of everything else.

Viva SBS.

2quik.

[Doolhof]

Hi 2quik, Sleepy and All reading,

Yesterday I needed to get out for a while and went for a walk, and kept on walking, then I had to walk home! I was cursing the hills in the end and had a good foot soak when I finally arrived home 2 hours later.

It reminded me I used to do that as a child. That was part of my survival plan, to go for a long walk and avoid being home.

For me, I need to find and instigate pleasurable activities to do in the home. In my mind "home" is not a safe place always.

Maybe one thing I will schedule in next week is putting music on and dancing around in the house...while my husband is at work!

I will make a list just of pleasurable activities and see how many I can cross off in a week. Sounds like a plan.

We are all doing what we can to get through these changing and different times.

Wishing you all direction, perspective and many pleasurable activities you can do at home to brighten your days.

Cheers from Dools

[Guest_9043]

Hey Dools.

I personally have had enough of living my life around this virus. It's dwindling. I'm taking necessary precautions. Extra washing if hands and washing them well, practicing social distancing and mostly staying home.

They talk about a recession, they should have kept the name the depression cause that is exactly what it is really. It is seriously harming my mental health. Shopping was a right pain yesterday. We bought four cans if different beans. Not usually an issue. Nope not allowed. Only two cans if any type of vegetables. I am very angry with the panic buyers who did not think about anyone else and were incredibly foolish. Disappointed in how pathetic humanity can be sometimes.

I don't even read about it anymore. I just do what I need and want people to leave me alone. This has had a major impact on my already poor mental health.

I'm glad you are finding positivity and good things to do.

[Guest_1643]

Hey Dools

I know exactly what you mean about the memories and about home being safe. I notice when I walk my mind lulls into a meditative state which I can't feel in my own home. Home is pressure and stress to me, and I've never really been able to understand why or how - but this post made a lot of sense to me.
I hope the dancing went well!!