Feeling like Self Isolation is a setback

[Larnzi]

Hi all,
Hope you are all keeping safe in this crisis.
I am finding self isolation a bit hard. I can fill my days & find things to occupy me but I'm feeling quite lonely. A couple people knew I was feeling quite anxious about this because I was worried about being at home with my family 24/7, not having the social contact with people I would normally have when on a term break & having my routine broken.
I have been in isolation for almost a week, lots of arguments at home with my family & not one person except my brother has contacted me to see how I'm going. I know I could contact people but that is one of my fears I am working on with my psychologist at the moment as I think if I contact anyone when I "need" they will see me as the old clingy needy me & so therefore I won't contact anyone. But to my surprise I did text 3 people to check in & see how they are - only one asked me back how I was & that kind of hurt. Although I keep busy during the day, I am spending my day also hoping someone would contact me just so I feel somewhat cared about. Am I alone in feeling this way?
Two weeks ago I was living life with not having to have people contact me to validate me feeling cared about but the last few days I feel like that is coming undone. Any advice or just to know I'm not alone in this would be great.
Thanks so much.
Larnzi

[smallwolf]

Hi,

Your experience today is not unusual with how many replied to you. I have heard some people at this time are ignoring calls, and I cannot understand why! At the church that I go to parishioners have been divided into group to be called by a facilitator - to date I have not received a call as yet so I have been on the other side. If I did get a message from you then I would have been happy you were thinking about me.

What sort of things are doing during the day to keep busy?

And wondering if there are any hobbies or activities you can do at night that also act as a distraction?

I do puzzles myself, and my mother does jigsaw puzzles herself. What sort of things might you be able to do?

Lastly, I think that when lots are people are living in close quarters almost 24x7 can raise tempers and this can partially be a result of the fear of unknown in that we dont really know what is happening tomorrow or a month from now. Hoping you are OK

Tim

[Larnzi]

Hi Tim,

Thanks so much for your reply, I really appreciate it.

I really don't understand how people are ignoring calls or how they are not checking in on others. There is a lot in the news about keeping up connections although I understand that everyone is different & it doesn't bother some people at all.

My brother suggested that maybe because most of my friends have husbands & families that they are enjoying the quiet from the busy lives they normally have & each others company & not really interested in sitting talking on the phone to someone. For me my life is different & I don't have a partner or my own family so I therefore have a reliance on other people to care. I guess that is another way I can try to look at it to stop taking it personally & thinking that people don't care about me.

I have been doing at least half an hour of exercise a day, cleaning out/tidying things, puzzles & little odd bits & pieces. You got me thinking to maybe go through all my art & craft boxes outside & maybe do some things from there. I also went & bought some batteries for my nintendo wii which I haven't played in years & have been learning a couple magic tricks from You Tube.

How are you going with everything?

Larnzi