Pandemic plus winter ... ugh

[Rain72]

Normally I love winter, snuggling up inside, retreat and rest. But this year is different. So very different. The pandemic has had us all isolated for nearly a year. For those of us who live alone, it’s a maddening amount of aloneness. Even when I go out in the world, the masks create a physical and psychological barrier to connection, and so still, I’m alone. I’m a gig worker, so that’s been a struggle, too. Building my client base back up, getting the state to pay the full benefits I qualify for ... It’s all too much. Under non-pandemic circumstances I can manage my depression pretty well, but in these times, and now with the cold and ice ... I had a friend shame me tonight for not playing with my dog. Note to all: shaming is the last thing we need. Telling me to “rally” when I am crippled by depression and every effort sends me back to bed to rest ... That’s not helping. I slept most of the day and am already ready to go back to bed now. Praying I’ll feel some semblance of energy tomorrow. Would love to hear if anyone else is “losing it” under the current circumstances. I can’t bear to think of this pandemic lasting another year ... 😔

[Roxylox55]

I think we all have Pandemic fatigue at this stage. There are times when being jollied along doesn't work. This weather certainly doesn't help. I would hope things will improve in a few months with vaccines being rolled out

[Help_Me_Please]

I feel as though I’ve lost it through this pandemic. I used to do fun things restaurants movies but not with the pandemic. I used to take my son to sporting events or cub scouts or parks and play areas but not with the pandemic. I don’t know why this pandemic has hit me so hard, I mean I am relatively safe and all should be good. However, I just keep saying to myself I can’t live like this. When I am not at work I withdraw and retreat to bed. In my own way this has caused me to crack, we don’t have the same story but they are similar. The pandemic has made our lives miserable.

[Rain72 in reply to Help_Me_Please]

Exactly! I feel likewise: I’m so lucky to be low risk and healthy, but mentally ... I pray I can hold it together until the end of it.

[Hidden]

I also struggle every day, just getting out of bed is a challenge and the cold weather definitely doesn’t help at all. I also agree that the pandemic makes everything worse. Just think and say to yourself “ tomorrow is a new day and I will feel better” Also have faith that God will give you peace. You are not alone, hang in there.

[Rain72 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, G. Every night when I’m this bad, I get “excited” to go to sleep at night in the hopes that I’ll wake up feeling like myself again.

[Hidden in reply to Rain72]

I think that all of us experiencing this nightmare feel the same. I am very happy every night when I go to bed also and I pray to God for a miracle, so I can get up and do all the things that I used to do and enjoy, but unfortunately is the same shit every morning. But we can’t give up and fight every day, we made yesterday, we can make it today. One day we will be ourselves again and even though it feels impossible we can’t give up.

[Rain72 in reply to Hidden]

You’re speaking my world, G. Thank you for sharing. You’re all helping me to feel less alone.

[Hidden in reply to Rain72]

You are very welcome, I am glad I can help you, also glad that we don’t only have empathy but feel the same way. I am here if you need to chat or when ever you are having a hard time, we live in another world that we wish we were not, but it is our reality for now. Remember nothing lasts forever and this will pass.

[Rain72 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Same goes for you — I’m here to listen and support. 🙏

[getdowngetup]

HiYour post helped me feel just a little less alone.

I live by myself also.

I drive part time for Uber and am semi retired. In all my 64 years of living I've never felt THIS much of a disconnect from othes. I cry everyday. It is some release from the hurt of present, future and past OR lack of it. I've lost so much . I still have a life, some hope but all to often am alone, bored, sad and having too muchs screentime. I miss people, thats why I joined this site a couple of days ago. Also why I'm messaging you. Maybe we can be chat friends.

So so many are feeling this kinda pain. The pandemic ob so SUCKZ.

[Rain72 in reply to getdowngetup]

I’m glad it helped, and I hear you. Sometimes I worry that this is our lives now: Will it be one pandemic after another? Good Lord, I hope not! One per lifetime is more than enough. I miss interaction, too. I’m being so careful because i am alone — if I get Covid, there’s no one to take care of me or my fur kids. So, I’m so lucky in that I can hole up inside, and at the same time, it’s like an undeserved sentence of solitary confinement. Today has been a little better than yesterday, but I still struggle to do anything I enjoy. Instead, I muster up enough energy to do a little work and watch TV. Not what I would call “living.” 😕

[getdowngetup]

Thank you for responding.

Exactly. You nailed it. Like an undeserved solitary confinement. Same here with - who would take care of me or furry ones! I have 2 big dogs and 5 laying hens.

DV

Got any pics of your creatures?

[Rain72 in reply to getdowngetup]

I don’t want to post any pictures. It’s best to stay anonymous so I can speak freely. But if you’re comfortable, please feel free to share! I love the doggos — and hens, too? So sweet!

[getdowngetup in reply to Rain72]

Your right about being anonymous. Thank you for that . It serves to remind me. 😉

[Rain72 in reply to getdowngetup]

I will say that I have a little yellow Lab and a tuxedo cat. What kind of dogs do you have?