Yeah mate you need to leave the house even if its just to go for a walk or something, it will help a lot.

Just hop in the car go to the seaside for the day, some where nice like Dorset or maybe go to the natural history museum there loads to keep you intrigued. You’ll meet lots of cool people, and you’ll feel better for it. Chin up dude!

@Izbeckistan 535200 wrote:

I gave up drink and drugs for a year and bit and I was quite shocked how it completly changed my social life (so called mates eh)
The great thing is that it opened up so many doors for me to things that the party life can distract you from (for me any way)

Treat yourself ti a mountain bike or something and start up some out door hobbies maybe?

Exactly what happened to me (though at least I already had the bike). Of course it isn’t always the best weather for a bike ride in the UK unless you want to also get a load of harsh weather gear and at the very least a decent cycling jacket and this isn’t cheap (I get mine from a workers co-op based up where Korno lives, on the presumption that if the Scots wear this stuff in their weather it will do the job (it does)).

I am lucky that full time work actually allows me to balance working from home and getting outdoors but even so its not that abnormal these days for folk to spend a lot of time inside.

But another thing I have noticed is that everyone is a lot more downtrodden these days since the economic depression, whether or not they have diagnosed mental health problems. Even if they socialise its now in a more competitive way. I don’t mean everyone is beating up each other (at least not outside townie clubs on drinking nights and in any case they get arrested before they do too much damage) but there are times when being “lonely” isn’t really half as bad as its made out to be. you can of course still socialise but on your own terms….

As for the attacks I have thinking something’s wrong with me physically (whether I’m alone or not.) I’ve had to resort to benzos. It feels like the pussy way out but IDGAF.

yeah i know what you mean man, being in the house all day can make you feel really isolated. its good to just atleast go for a walk everyday so you get and get some fresh air and realise how much shit is going on outside the confines of your house. volunteering is defo a good idea as its good to get out and meet people. just remember that you might be stuck in a bit of a rut at the moment but you still have so much more exciting things to happen to you because life is an absolute rollercoaster and i hate to use the old cliche, but enjoy the ride!

:bounce_b::bounce_b::bounce_b::bounce_b:

And yeah i get very lonely sometimes, i can go weeks without seeing friends cos sometimes i just want to chill out at the weekends with having worked so much, and occasionally I feel like the only like-minded people i associate with is you lot here, sometimes for a couple of weeks at a time.

Do you have any kind of routine for your day?

It may sound a bit boring but I find that forcing myself to stick to some kind of framework can be very helpful. It’s nothing like a rigid schedule. I just tell myself “today I will spend at least 1 hour reading my book” or “I’m going to the gym 3 times this week.” By treating things like commitments rather than simply hobbies, I find more motivation to go through with stuff. The volunteer work you’re planning on doing is a great place to meet new people. A job is another good place. I mean it basically boils down to “go do stuff at places.” But of course always value your alone time too.

Just try not to get too hung up about it.

I would not sell yourself short either. You have already conquered various health problems, dealt with a serious industrial injury and are still coping which a lot of others have not been able to do.

also most volunteer groups actually want folk who have dealt with mental health issues as it is good for their diversity returns.

Why do you think that chick? Are you not happy in your circle of mates? 🙁