Isolation

I've set myself lots of goals to cope, like no alcohol, running lots, running further on sundays, hitting 20mins for 5k, reading abook a week, lying in on saturday, getting up on sunday.

And yeah, somehow just embracing it. I do stuff like read the paper, come on here. I don't normally distract myself, but i am these days.

It is hard. Offering to go for walks with people seems easier than normal as people have less to do. People also seem more open to calls. 

Zoom has been a Godsend for me.

I wouldn't be able to say I am actually 'utterly alone' but I need to 'embrace being alone' and the feeling of it - because sometimes it happens for prolonged spaces of time. Spending a night awake with no-one around can feel like weeks in a way.

When embracing the alone. When a cup of warm water from the kettle starts to be your friend, one has achieved a change in mindset that welcomes the loneliness. Loneliness that you can wrap around oneself like a blanket.

And, when change finally comes about, I'll love to hug and talk and drink and dance with lots of people around (hopefully) but for now, it's the desert of isolation that's around for most hours of my day.

The forum here was helpful when I was fighting against loneliness. Now, it's just here. I can take or leave it. I mainly like to help others see the world a slightly different way sometimes, and I guess that's why I've put a post or two in today.

Anxiety is an amplifier. Depression is a dampener. If the anxiety gets unbearable, that's when depression can sometimes kick in to help out. It's like natural valium. Just gives a little bit of numbness. I appreciate depression isn't easy if holding down a job, family or relationship though.

Hi,

I'm glad your approach has given you some comfort. I wonder if by coming on this forum you feel less alone. As @aide said we are all in the same boat. I think sometimes our help starts when we reach out and admit our feelings of being alone. Take care

i agree with @aidie, i think you have joined the right forum. It would be great to use this as a platform to build trusting friendships.

I don't know if this is helpful, but i have found i actually find watsaap group chats easier because i can be a spectator and watch how other people interact and i learn from this. Another thing i do, but it does take a level of trust and boldness is to state i am new to the groups and i do not really understand the purpose of this group or the ground rules. So far i have learned that there are different ground rules for the different groups i am part of and different expectations. For example in one group it is ok just to be a spectator, in another group there is an issue of trust if people just stay spectators and they expect mutual input.

It is great you have felt able to post your struggle on this group. I hope you can feel more confident to reach out to your current connections. Take care

I've really struggled with this this year.

Right now, I'm coping by basically giving up. I've embraced the depression element. I've re-defined myself as being utterly alone. I watch films about loneliness, I listen to music that celebrates being alone. That gives me a lot more comfort right now than trying to fight against loneliness/isolation.

Earlier this year, I tried 'fighting against' the loneliness and that's like fighting against a brick wall. It was just me getting mentally bruised.

Indulging in loneliness and despair has made life more comfortable. It's weird how doing things counterintuitively sometimes makes things better (or at least easier to deal with).

This approach might not work for everyone, but it's stopped me going out of my mind.

Hello,

I am sure we all feel like this at present. I know I do as I used to be able to ride out with a small group but this is no longer possible. I worry about breaking the rules and have not even been out litter picking. However, after seeking more advice, I will resume next week. Is there anything  you can volunteer for localy? I too, miss the local autism support group but keep in contact via email so better than nothing. I agree, that there should be more social groups localy, maybe this is something we could all look at doing after the pandemic? 

just reply to me, or Anthony, we are just like u. 

Maybe NAS could also do regular meetings..........They could and should in my view

Various groups have inline meetings with Zoom. We have in Dorset a meeting on 19th January if you want details. Also U 3 a and church meetings 

I think it’s good to reach out to new people. Don’t get me wrong, I’m terrible at it... but strike up conversations with people on here or other platforms - as aidiesays share a bit about yourself and that commonality could fuel social connections  

well i come on here sometimes welcome to the forum. tell me something about yourself eg u favorite tv show , book, film etc