dot points for positive things to do in isolation

[Doolhof]

. Read a book

. Google your favourite hobby

. Draw a picture

. Clean out a cupboard

. Make a card for a neighbour or friend

. Meditate

. Practise mindfulness

. Listen to music, maybe even dance around the house

. Dress up for a meal and use your favourite glasses and dinner set

.

[Doolhof]

. Look at "How to take practical advantage of isolation" in the Staying Well section

[Z888]

Thank you Doolhof, newbie here...not sure how to start a post. ~ 1 good thing about being in self isolation ~ yesterday I drew my 1st picture in years. I found daughters watercolours and I will finish the colours today. I have been in self isolation ie( seeing1 friend every 3 months) for years, busy doing husbands paperwork, housework, chores etc or daughters school requirements. While getting everything household/ shopping on credit cards has gone crazy so now we have to look at our situation. I felt like I needed to stop and retreat to grow real food. At 56 Ive been having few ailments, so seeing my drs. I get $30fortnight for last 8mths as Centrelink/ jobsearch required me to do an upgrade in business III course online, to get me back into work force at 56yrs old. good luck with that. So I got my $6k super out to help pay the mortgage and high school fees. so that's gone. Then corona happens. I feel trapped and unloved when my partner tells me to GO AWAY I'm busy all the time. Saying "Im busy trying to keep all this family going and you don't contribute anything" even though he can't afford to pay me for the book work/house work in his business any more, I do it for him for free cause If I didn't, he would never be ready at end of year accountant. he is under stress also with a hernia from work. so I just keep my distance. Then daughter says go away Mum, Im busy all the time w my friends online. She has had tonsillitis for 3 wks so Ive been up most nights with her coughing, Im so exhausted. I just go sit with our cat Ivy, for someone to cuddle and talk to. My mom died feeling unloved by Dad, sucking her energy dry. I cry everyday for her suffering she did for us kids. She had so much wisdom, I wish she could have met our daughter who is now 12 & half, she would see herself and would feel so much love and talent. Feeling Empty inside I retreat to the separate smallest room to sleep, as it has been for 10yrs. Not one friend ever asks how are you Z? cause I always end up crying in conversations around mothers day, xmas or mums birthday or if other kids have their granny over doing stuff together. I hopelessly miss My mother, so much. My Dr recommended making a Mother's picture /gratitude book. which I look at daily. How do others get through with no encouragement, joy or money? one foot in front of the other... mum would say. thanks!

[Doolhof]

Hi Z888,

Welcome to the community here. Sorry to read you are doing it so tough at the moment. It is really hard when you are in a family and yet you don't feel like anyone really notices you are there.

Due to our current situation with the coronavirus, we are a little limited with activities we can do out of the home. Each of us does have the opportunity to make the most of this time the best way we can!

Am I to assume from what you have written that you are currently growing your own food? That certainly is an excellent thig to be doing at present!

You also mentioned drawing pictures and water colour paints, they are fun things to do.

Sounds like you have a friendly cat, ours does not like to be picked up, won't sit on our laps and doesn't like to be touched at all! Cranky old thing she is!

Sorry to read how much you miss your Mum. Would it help to write her a letter, read it to her in your head and then either keep the letter or bury it in the garden perhaps near a favourite plant.

There are many sections to this forum. You might find some other threads you are interested in. For example there is a social section where you may like to join in with poetry, favourite books, movies an a range of topics.

Hope you feel welcome here. I am a little technically challenged as well. If you have questions about the forum, someone here will be able to assist you.

Cheers from Dools