Any Advice?

[fallenwing]

I was just wondering if anyone had advice about things that are lowcost/to do alone. I'm in recovery for severe anxiety/agoraphobia and I'm trying to get out of the house and do things on my own and find a part time job.

[pink83737]

if you mean activities you could always volunteer at a shelter first then maybe they could hire you for part time!

[fallenwing in reply to pink83737]

I currently volunteer at my local library though I only go once a week.

[jkl5500]

To get out of the house, you could check your local library or park district to see what activities they have scheduled. Most are free or very low cost. Inside the house, YouTube has a zillion videos on history, etc., that are completely free.

[fallenwing in reply to jkl5500]

That's true, I'll definitely try seeing if the library has any events.

[Dormilona]

If you live in an urban area, you might try doing internet searches to find things to do. I've discovered reading groups, meditation groups, and other special-interest groups, most of which are free, altho' some of them meet at restaurants. Meditation groups are great because you don't have to socialize

[LearningToLive]

You have a cell phone right? They are great for capturing the small parts of the world - ants going into an anthill; rust on a pathway rail, broken concrete on the stairs. Trash on a sidewalk. Go out on a photo hunt; set up a free Flickr account and share your pictures. There's groups that set specific photo goals for each week, but I've found that to be too much hassle.

1) You're outside

2) You're focused on finding the next great shot or taking the next great shot

3) You have something to look at that you did - your Flikr gallery!

Need more? Try to get all the photos of a specific graffiti tagger and create an album of their work.

Building being built around you? Go out same time each day and take progress shots and make a gallery of them.

None of this costs any money, just 10 minutes or 5 hours walking. I do the very same thing on my office campus - find the small things in a massive 80 acre campus.

[fallenwing in reply to LearningToLive]

This is really creative, I'll definitely give this a try. It reminds me of finding the little amazing magical things in the world.

[TheKnightRider]

Sometimes just drinking a cup of coffee at a Starbucks, DD or a Panero is a nice way to spend time and possibly meeting people to talk with.

[fallenwing in reply to TheKnightRider]

That's true, maybe I'll give that a try.

[JEG325]

I have an idea. I think you might like it. I will pm it to you.

[Blueonblue]

There’s always taking walks in peaceful areas if they are available to you. Take a drive to a place you’ve heard is interesting. If possible, get a dog. That will give you purpose and if it’s a cutie, you’ll make lots of Aquaintences along your route. Most of all, that pup will reduce your anxiety a hundred fold. That’s why you see so many emotional support dogs these days.

[fallenwing in reply to Blueonblue]

I really want to try and get an emotional support dog! I heard they work wonders on anxiety.