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?

[Canary42]

Yes, most certainly.

[pixie374]

I think so, in a lot of different ways. Really sorry to hear about your friends x it does hit home sometimes, that nobody is immortal. My stepdad had a minor heart attack a few years ago (he's 80) and is fine, but I think I was genuinely shocked to realise he may not live forever.
It's been a harsh couple of years, treat yourself, if you can. Lots of love xx

[Ken4155]

If they are good friends, Bobs, then most definitely. I have lost a few 'friends' during the last couple of years and it does make you question your own mortality, particularly when the ones dying are around the same age as yourself. Even more so when they are a tad younger.

[Atheist]

It's taken only a bit of a toll on me, but I haven't recently lost friends. I haven't written much, unfortunately, so I'm not one of these people who has used lockdown to be extra creative. Since the new year started, I've begun working again, reading and correcting and improving from the beginning, trying to get up a head of steam that I hope will drive me forward when I come to the current plot block at 75k words.
I think I'd feel worse if 6 or 7 of my friends had gone.
Keep your spirits up.

[Bobbisox1]

I agree Ken, we lost a friend aged 53 to covid in November 2020, and then recently all we’ve done is go to funerals of those we knew

[Zacs-Master]

Even at 59, I can see the pandemic has / is taking it’s toll on me, mentally. Working almost full time and not really having the chance to enjoy yourself on holiday is draining. I know we could do all the tests etc but we’ve both agreed that this would more than take the edge of a holiday in the sun.

[pat2604]

Yes very much so. I'm 75 this year and losing friends and relations quite frequently. None due to Covid. In fact I feel quite isolated from the covid situation where I live and my lifestyle now. But having so many health problems, especially in the last ten years and knowing things can only get worse for me, then my mental health has
Really suffered. But I don't fear death, just what might come before.

[pat2604]

I worry more about the mental health of my son who has been working flat out, usually weekends too, without taking proper holidays for the duration of Covid. He looks drained at 38!

[gness]

You're right, Bobbi. I recall disagreeing with friends over children missing school. My feeling was that they have years to catch up. We don't. At our age this is taking away a huge chunk of the good life we have left to enjoy and sadly that has happened to some we know who haven't made it through to better times.

The way things are looking here it's too easy to start thinking...is this it until I die?
Like you these are becoming half empty glass thoughts rather than our usual glass half full....or in my case....full of Guinness.

[Bobbisox1]

Early BA Gness, at least you’ll be full of iron with the Guinness

[pixie374]

Children do have years to catch up, but also, are only children once. The difference between my granddaughter's view, at 4/5, is very different from mine was. It has to have a long term effect, I'm sure. Missing a year of socialising or school makes far more difference to a 5 year old, than it would to me.
Also, elderly people... are not necessarily being treated in the way they would need... but more, what makes "us" feel better.

[Bobbisox1]

I hope your boy slows down Pat although I imagine you and your husband have told him to?

[pastafreak]

Touch wood, not friends. But, when I do meet up with people...so infrequently now...and see they've aged, it does hit home. And then I realise that the same is happening to me.
Bobbi, all I can say is don't dwell on it. These changes happen to us all...and of course we become more aware as we get older. Just appreciate those still with you...focus on THEM.

[Barsel]

As you know Bobbs, I am just 6 days older than you, but so far I've been fortunate not to have lost friends or relatives for many many years.
The last funeral I went to was a cousin which was probably about 7 or 8 years ago and I was very sad at the time and I still miss him now, but this is what happens as you get older
I feel sorry for people who are much older than us, like the Queen.
Once you get to that age, you will have lost many friends and relatives and yes, it does impact on your mental health.

[burlyshirley]

I totally agree with you Bobbs. Living alone, as I do, has been very difficult during the pandemic and when you are older (as we are) you don't really want to lose any precious time as it goes quickly enough as it is. I have been lucky in that I haven't lost anyone I love to the pandemic, not do I know of anybody who has died, but yes I do think about my own mortality now and that of my dear brother and also my beloved dog, and I don't like it one bit. We all get down, it's how we deal with it that matters. I had a strange feeling this year when Christmas was over, I suddenly thought I wouldn't see another one. I have no idea where that suddenly came from, but it was very distressing I can tell you. Hope I'm wrong.

[pastafreak]

I should have mentioned that all too often, I feel time is slipping away now. But, I had the same feeling when I approached 65. The past 2 years have just emphasised that.

[pastafreak]

I hope you are wrong too Shirley.

[gness]

Thanks, Bobbi. We'll disagree on that one, Pixie. I admit there was some socialising but as both of my children were removed from school for a time close friendships were lost or not made for a while.
They were fine with no long or short term effects.

[pixie374]

Me too. Can I just ask a question, to whoever wants to answer...? Is it isolation and rules making the biggest difference, or fear of the virus itself?

[Bobbisox1]

Thank you all for your answers , I thought it was just me.
Shirley I too felt that way at Christmas and had no idea why I had those negative thoughts