Anyone had to spend days alone without anyone to talk to?

[Hanna3]

Hi all, apart from here and a brief visit to church last night (to make it feel Christmassy and to just be with people) I've had day after day for weeks now with nobody at all to talk to. This time of year especially it's really depressing. Old friends that live far away are gradually losing contact with me - I ring them but they don't ring me. I understand they're busy with their live elsewhere but still it's hard when you're lonely. I'm going to a Christmas Eve service at the local church tomorrow night to at least be with people for a little while... but otherwise all day I'm alone, just me and the dog. Sometimes I strike up a conversation on BB but then the other person disappears and that's the end of that...

How are people meant to cope with prolonged periods of social isolation? I read, I watch DVDs, normally I'd go for long walks with the dog but thick smoke from bushfires and intense hot weather have stopped that. I go to a café alone sometimes. Any ideas/help?

[Hanna3]

Hi mmMekitty

My computer is down so this is just a quick reply from my phone... I can imagine recovering from a big operation like you had takes time and a lot of adjusting on your part... I hope you have some supportive people who can assist you.

It's been warm and muggy here so Sam hasn't had much opportunity to use his heated bed... He's been playing with other dogs in the dog park this afternoon and seems very happy!

I hope things continue to improve for you.. You've certainly had a lot to deal with, having the sight problems must be incredibly challenging and I know how thoughtless people can be sometimes..

I think you've been amazing the way you've managed everything you've had to deal with, you've had to be very strong. 🙂🐕💝👍

[Ginger_88]

Hello, I'm new and picked this thread for first post because I live alone and since moving to a new location some years ago, have had no success at connecting with like minded people yet, so there is no one to talk to, about anything, except superficial at the shops and hi I'm passing etc.

Mostly I'm okay, focussing on goals, but when something worries me, I can tip into extreme anxiety and sadness and it gets hard to cope. Caught up in that now.

I stick to healthy routines, positive self talk, but at times nothing helps.

[Hanna3]

Hi Ginger and welcome,

It is hard to make new friends in a new location, that's for sure!

You're very welcome here at BB - I just need to let you know that only two or three people usually chat here and this thread may have nobody coming by for a couple of days at a time.. I don't know your age group, we are mature aged ladies... you're very welcome here but there may not be many people around here a lot.

Are you in a city or regional town? I'm in regional NSW... yes it's tough, people are often not very friendly these days. Do you have any interests that would help you join things and get to know people?

Anyway welcome to Beyond Blue and I hope you manage to settle in and find your way around here!

[mmMekitty]

Hi Ginger, welcome from me, too. 😸.

Most people meet new members in the Forum section, 'Welcome and Orientation', where many people create their first thread to introduce themselves, & may say or ask questions , or you may notice other threads to help you find other ways to use the forums.

There's lots of info & many people suggesting ways of managing anxiety & their sad moods.

Lately, for me, it's getting into audiobooks, & playing my app 'Garage Band' piano on my so&so phone, a little bikkie making, too. The smell of good cooking in my flat so warm & lovely, I feel sort of cuddled. 😸Does me a heap of good.

I like to interrupt those thoughts & feelings, & also, take some deep, & slow , calming breaths. Hard to do somethines., but I find this helps, too.

Sometimes, too, I need a break, turn off the noise & lights, (not that I have many on in the first place), & sit, or lie down, & sort of gather myself. breathing again, focusing on that.

*

Hi Hanna,

On Monday, after going to see my Ophthalmologist, (taking that COVID risk),I decided to take up my helper's offer to spend a little time with her pets. It was raining too much to go to the city's park, as I wanted. I hope next time.

She has two Labradors & three cats, now, with the addition of a new kitten. My helper was a little pushy, I thought, trying to get the kitten to be held in my arms. I'd rather leave it up to the pet to make their own minds about coming to me, or not. Her dogs were all over me, a little unruely, & sopping wet. 😸 That's okay - just have to wash those clothes. They were not really smelly, anyway, except for the breath in my face!

So I got a little look at her new home, which has a pool, which, as yeat, I'm not oficially allowed to go swimming in, (awaiting Dr's ok). Thinking it may be Winter when I can!

I'd feel much better using her pool, rather than going to a public pool. Although, if I can find a heated pool...do some aquaerobics...I may be tempted.

Having adog or two certainly has it's good points. I'd love to play with dog/s in park/s! How does Sam get on with dogs he doesn't know? I admit, that is something which would worry me.

There are some really big dogs around where I live, so taking a dog for a walk around the block, which ever way I went, might not be such a good idea. They scare me 'half to having an accident', as is.

😺mmMarshallow? mmMarshmallow?

mmMekitty

[Hanna3]

Hi Paws, I just noticed this, I have been chatting on your thread.. I didn't see any show on dogs unfortunately! Anyway I think I responded on your thread.. hugs.

[Hanna3]

Hi mmMekitty,

The pool sounds nice, if you can get the opportunity to swim there, I'd definitely take it!

My dog is fine mixing with the other dogs - occasionally there is a big dog that needs watching, but mostly they are good at sorting each other out and are well behaved - so much depends on the owners and how well they socialise and supervise their pets - and here most people I must say, seem to be very good. The dogs play together very happily, and the occasional skirmish can be easily dealt with. We all sit around chatting while we watch them, it's a nice way to socialize, recently I got chatting to a lovely young couple from Germany, an elderly very interesting man from Canada, a male nurse from the local psych hospital who was lovely, a woman who is home schooling her children... it's nice to sit under the trees and talk while the dogs play.

I've been out so I'm ate home... and it's turned very chilly outside! I imagine you are warmer there in Queensland! Cheers.

[mmMekitty]

😺The weather was fine today, not too hot, even at lunchtime. I'm just feeling a little cool during the night. But I can actually feel too warm by the early morning.

Earlier this evening, I felt I simply had to go lie down to give my legs a rest, & went to sleep for three hours. When I woke it was 10:20 pm, I hadn't had my dinner, yet. I made up some potato & frozen mixed veg in some veg stock, like a soup, but with more veg. That's what I'd decided earlier, because I'd had a large lunch.

I found some interviews & books by & about Carl Jung on YouTube, & decided to have a listen. Good for going to sleep to - not because I'm not interested, but because the voice doesn't bounce from screams to whispers like some fiction readers do.

I like the image of all the dogs in the park, playing (mostly), & the owners sitting around, friendly-like, 😺 really nice. Are there BBQ's in the park? There's a thought.

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Hanna, Waves Paws, mmMeKitty and all..🤗.

Hasnt the weather done a turn around in the central west...I think Autumn has finally arrived..,,

I think it’s nice that the furs can run a round together and have some fun...I think that they are like little children...all getting along fine and no discrimination about breeds...

I do hope that Sam, learns that his heat pad is friendly and will help him to keep warm...

I felt happy when you said you have your nice acoustic guitar 🎸....plus now a cover on order from ebay...Do you still sometimes sit out front/back and play some nice tunes...I like the 60s music...it’s clean music...if you know what I mean...

I hope you manage to keep both you and Sam warm tonight...

Plenty of fur and human hugs..everyone

Grandy..

[Hanna3]

Hi mmMekitty & everyone,

It's turned very cold and windy and overcast here.. glad you had a good soup dinner.. I haven't read much about Carl Jung, is he an interest of yours? I'm almost up to my date usage until Monday so I can't play much on Utube at the moment, but I like good talks, like Intelligence Squared, or Noah Yuval Harrari etc..

We couldn't have BBQs in the dog park as it would create bedlam amongst the dogs - imagine if one got a sausage, the rest would be trying to kill him to get at it... same with people - we don't bring in food - a few people bring a training treat in a sealed bag for their dog to train.. but we have good talks as we have seats under the trees.. and the dogs are entertaining. Sam got into a friendly wrestling match with a Dachsund today and is exhausted now...

Grandy (and hi Deebi, I still haven't found your thread I am sorry! and Paws, everyone) - I do play some fingerstyle to amuse myself - some classical or folk music, some Bob Dylan...G has bought himself a Fender electric guitar for several thousands of dollars - it's absolutely beautiful and sounds amazing... he tried out 25 guitars in the store before deciding, he said the owner was nearly tearing his hair out... mine is just an acoustic, I got the case on Ebay... someone nearby was playing drums yesterday and it sounded great.

I'm freezing here, this is too cold for early Autumn - all the trees are starting to change their colours which is pretty... I have taken quite a lot of stuff to the op shop.. I feel great when I throw it out, it's nice to know someone will benefit from it.

A nice fellow I was chatting to today is about to take 3 weeks on a group motocyle trip through central australia - it sounds like such a lot of fun - they mostly camp with the occasional night in a motel... that would be nice to do with others who have the same interest.

Sending hugs from us here oxoxoxoxo

[Paw Prints]

Hello Hanna, wave to all,

Reading all the different things you are enjoying doing now it is such a change from what you were able to do when you first moved there... you sound like you need a few more hours each day just to fit it all in... I noticed on another thread you mentioned you weren't reading much as you didn't have the time now...

Has Sam taken to his heated pad yet? With all the rain it looks like NSW will be getting over the coming days you will probably need to have something warm to for him to snuggle with when you get home if the two of you do try & venture out... I do hope it doesn't get too wet where you are.

I'm guessing you must be getting close to running out of things to de-clutter... you seem to have been on a roll... I like the idea of taking before & after photo's...

Stay dry... hugs

Paws