Is ISOLATION making you more anxious or depressed?

[HopeforJustice]

How many of you are completely alone without anyone else in your home? If you are alone, what is the best way to connect with others? Who is in control of your thoughts?

[Roukaya]

I hope you are well

I have just answered you in other forum

I hope you are well

[Hidden]

During the day my husband is at work from 4 am - getting home between 530-730 and in the winter storms later. He's an essential worker so he's working through the Pandemic. Yes I absolutely started feeling more panicked and depressed. Luckily I had just started with a new Therapist in January a few short months ago. We have 2 small dogs and another on the way. I have phone contact twice weekly and it's helped so much. I'm doing a lot of self care at home ie meditation & light yoga for 2 examples. I also read a lot, use coloring books, walk my dogs. I'm on disability for an autoimmune issue but I have depression and anxiety as well. I miss my friends and we'll text to connect until this is over. I also talk to my parents 3x daily and will watch TV as well or do a computer game.

Sometimes I feel the world has slowed down so much I can finally catch my breath...I can do little projects I've been meaning to do.

I live near the coast so I'm looking forward to the beach. Hopefully.

[HopeforJustice in reply to Hidden]

Hello Gia,

You have a blessed life. You are far luckier than most who suffer from depression. The beach is very therapeutic. Every day tell yourself at least three things about yourself in which you have to be grateful.

Hope

[Hidden]

Dear hopeforjustice but it seems to be lacking globally on a political social etc...in the world as well as in usa where I am. Men do not get invested in relationship like we do. I think woman are interchangeable ' I mean it in a positive way for men except it's felt negatively -guilty-that sticks to us like failure glue. It is our filter, ours is different deeper. I think. Here I am with my profound thought 69 years of age and totally alone.

What do u think? Agree?

[HopeforJustice in reply to Hidden]

Hello

You are correct. Men are able to compartmentalize better than most females. The younger generations have it so much better as females than the older generations. In today's world, there is much less inequality. I learned many years ago from my grandmother who was far ahead of her time, to think like a man but act like a lady.

Easier said than done. I watched my mother define herself by the success of her relationships and swore I would not allow a man to control my thoughts and destiny. Find your passions and define yourself as an individual without a man in the picture. When you no longer think about it, you will appear much more confident. Confidence is sexy. If you are interested in attracting a life companion, focus on you on how to make yourself the best you know how and set personal goals. Your biological age is just a number we for legal documents. You can feel as young or old as you wish. Do something for yourself. My entire life I wanted to learn tap dancing, at first I thought it was silly, but being around people half my age gives me a new zest for life.

Find your light and make it shine!

Cheers,

Hope

[Hidden]

I understand what you just said photography is my passion as well as photoshop. I contracted ms or, let's say m contracted me and body in it, You are lucky not to be limited by your body. I am 69 disabled and luckily RETIRED. Did i mention the new pandemic covid-19 ? What is the name again?

[HopeforJustice in reply to Hidden]

I took a photography class. I bought an expensive camera and love to take photos. I am not an artistic creative person so it is more of a fun hobby. I can only draw a stick man. Do you know how to paint? Are you able to move around outside? Who is around you? Why don't you take photos of people with masks, people who are sheltering in place. Create and caption the essence of this pandemic. Show pain, pleasure, life in your photography. Then share with the world what you have created.

You got this!

[Hidden]

Photography is my passion. I like the creative artistic aspect of it. It caresses my free artistic bend over my artistic unconscious, Everything I do is for my own satisfaction and funnily enough I do not mind that it is for me alone> I never get enough pictures to take (thanks digital). After the end of a relationship (painful)... It took me a year and I stopped it. After a year or two I was back as me again. I am very thankful for that . It is my freedom island. Totally self centered but pure freedom! Wish I could do better with relationships an d friends or let's be honest lack of.