Do You Think Losing Friends Anc Acquaintances Can Have Some Bearing On Your Mental Heslth

[Bobbisox1]

I’ve always been a glass half full person but lately I’m feeling very down , I have lost quite a few people only in the last few months and another a year ago through COVID , I’d think it’s around 6/7 of my friends and acquaintances have passed away within a short time of one another, I’m looking at my own mortality more at 75,something that would never have entered my head only a few months ago , does anyone else feel the last two years have taken their toll on us?

[pixie374]

I'm sure gness. And we can disagree.... my view is that this lifestyle is bad for everyone, but the very youngest and very oldest, are affected the most. It's just personal observation, that's all.

[Bobbisox1]

I don’t fear the virus at all I’ll be totally honest and I can’t say I’m isolated either as I have a very car husband so I’m lucky that way, there’s other stuff going on I’m pencilling in anc I suppose that’s taking it’s toll on me

[pixie374]

Bobbi, I think Christmas and New year can both be a little in-your-face,if that makes sense. Longer evenings, roll on spring... x

[Bobbisox1]

* caring

[pixie374]

Thanks bobbi x and best wishes with anything else xx

[burlyshirley]

Thank you pasta. It was very real and scared me.

[burlyshirley]

For me pixie, it was isolation and rules.

[pixie374]

Thanks Shirley. I'm just wondering if we have got to the point (if we weren't already), where the "cure" is doing more harm than good.

[pastafreak]

I know that during the first year of the pandemic, I was in a constant state of fear, worry, anxiety. It felt uncontrollable. I felt I had no say in my life or that of those I love. Being alone became very scary and isolating. Having family so far away is horrid.
That's improved somewhat, but it can be difficult making sense of what is thrown at us by the media. I'd like to think there are enough measures available to give us a better sense of having some say in our day to day lives.

[pixie374]

I agree, pasta....

[vulcan42]

Bobbosix, I think the time of the year adds considerably to how we feel, I always feel low during the winter months irrespective of what else is occurring.

[Barsel]

I agree vulcan.

[Bobbisox1]

Vulcan, of course that could have a lot to do with it.
Well put Pasta

[gness]

We met up with another couple last week mostly because we had hit the....oh for god's sake we need some company and chat.

This got us talking about the position of those like Burleyshirley, Pasta and others who are living alone and how at least we have one other person to share the ups and downs with.
Many of the folk alone here live in isolated areas. How scary that must be if they take ill.
Omicron is rife here so things like the men's shed and stitch and *** have been cancelled. These were lifelines for lone people and once again they've lost that lifeline for god knows how long.

I know it's bad for every age group, Pixie. But at our age when the bloody light at the end of the tunnel goes out again it really is depressing.

[pastafreak]

Time of year...yes. There's the post Christmas let-down, after 3 months frenetic build up to it. Made worse by will it happen/will it not.
I always spend January wanting to hibernate, yet looking forward to that time when my mental energy starts to improve and I feel that bit more positive. Waiting patiently as I spend hours on Pinterest planning projects. Whether or not my old body lets me execute them is something else.

[gness]

Oh I'd forgotten the banned word! Stitch and lady dog just doesn't go!

[pixie374]

I know, gness.... I just don't consider you as old... I spend my days with people in their 80s, 90s, 100s.... and they are struggling as well x

[pastafreak]

I just cut off a lifeline last night by deciding not to go back to my volunteer job...for a bit. It's not the kind of exposure I want right now...even if contact with the clients is limited. I feel great guilt.

[Bobbisox1]

Now is the first time I’ve ever felt ‘old’

[gness]

Me too, Bobbi despite Pixie's kind comment. Mind you, some of that is down to not being able to run upstairs any more and having had to buy self threading sewing needles...... :-(