There is an google article called "Millions of Britons unable to cope
with modern life" which in part says- "Millions of people are unhappy,
lonely and unable to cope with profound changes in the workplace,
relationships and family life, according to...
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There is an google article called "Millions of Britons unable to cope
with modern life" which in part says- "Millions of people are unhappy,
lonely and unable to cope with profound changes in the workplace,
relationships and family life, according to a major study. It portrays
Britain as a psychologically fragile society in which increased wealth
has been accompanied by soaring levels of individual isolation and
stress. Although welfare services have made big strides in addressing
material poverty, they have failed to get a grip on the growing problems
of mental illness and distress caused by the rise of individualism and
family breakdown, it says. The UK [is a] largely happy country, but one
with many unhappy people ..." Some years ago, well before my diagnosis
of bipolar 2, dysthymia and depression I knew my need to move from the
city. So now many years later I feel I have the mix about as perfect as
I can get it. My first challenge was to get work in the country- no mean
feat. But once I got that I could begin to plan a more relaxing future.
A move to the country might not suit everyone but I believe the move had
such a profound positiveness that it deserves to be spread to you. There
is a disease called "Twentieth century disease" which is not what I'm
referring to here. That is a serious illness. What I'm suggesting here
is, that our great grandparents around 120 years ago, hadnt seen a plane
fly, a car being driven, a washing machine, a computer, a mobile phone,
a skyscraper and so on. So in a short 3 generations humans have had to
adapt and accept these modern creations...and some of us cant do it.
Back to basics could include- a vegie garden (even in a unit in the
city!), a move to a country town no more than 400 people, limiting your
social media, direct debit for bills so there are few accounts to pay
physically, walks to sight wild animals and any other actions that allow
you to withdraw. My wife and I (as we call it) "Swan in" to large towns
or Melbourne to go shopping. We are there for less than 2 hours. We tend
to stay away from areas with parking meters because a ticket could cause
us anger and upset. Parking meters indicate to us that the city is too
big for us and has added pressures like peak hour traffic. I was
planning to reject society altogether. I soon found that my plan was
flawed. Balance is needed. Many things in life is a balance including
finding peace, working, socialising and back to basics. Tony WK