Can I tell you something

[therespeopleoutthere]

I went outside today. It's been three years since I went out my front door.
I know it sounds like a silly little thing but it feels like a big thing that I should tell someone about and I don't have anyone to tell in real life. It was only for five minutes. The cold fresh air felt nice.

Good for you OP

Congratulations! Now keep going, hope you make another bit of progress tomorrow!

I hope you’re very proud of yourself! Well done!

That's brilliant! And lovely that you noticed the cold, fresh air felt nice.

My older son sometimes struggles to go outside. He's had therapy and it always starts with him just standing on the step. So I know what courage it takes to do what you've done.

That must've taken a lot of courage so I hope you're feeling very proud of yourself ❤️

Not silly at all! Well done you! I bet that winter chill we've all been whining about felt absolutely amazing on your face! Keep at it OP.

I bet it felt awesome. Well done OP ❄

Wow!! How did you manage to do it today? I'm glad you found it positive to feel the weather... that's amazing...
Thanks for posting that has genuinely made me feel brighter....

That is awesome, I hope you enjoyed the feeling of fresh air on your face and that you do it again soon. Be proud x

Well done 👍

Oh wow, properly sobbing now reading through all your lovely replies. Thank you so much for all the love and kindness.

A few people asked why and how it felt etc.

Anxiety and depression and possibly ptsd from a past abusive relationship.
I was struggling for a long time and slowly withdrawing from the world and isolating myself. I started not going out for fun stuff anymore and only going out when I needed to - for work and food shops and appointments, and then that gradually stopped too and suddenly three years have passed.

It felt weird, the world is still out there, I've been hiding away inside with my curtains closed for so long that it kind of felt like everything outside my four walls had just ceased to exist. But it's still out there. It looked the same at first but then different. There's new buildings and changes to buildings and that was just a short walk down my street.

I went on google maps and went on a "virtual walk" exploring the town and so much has changed. The world kept turning and people kept living and I've been stuck.
And I partly feel like it's time to stop being scared and get back out there and do some living too but then I also feel like see the world doesn't need you in it and I'm trying really hard to ignore that bit because the fresh air was really nice and I think I want some more.

The world most definitely DOES need you in it
Little steps then bigger steps
You
Are
Amazing ❤️

the fresh air was really nice and I think I want some more.

Hold on tightly to this bit, OP. One step and one day at a time.

Well done OP, good for you. It is a beautiful day, and what a perfectly lovely bunch of people on this thread too.

The world does need you in it!, you sound like you are a lovely person and the world needs more people like you out in society and not behind closed doors

It was a big day for you, since I started WFH I have been going out less and less over the last few years, it is very bad for your mental and physical health, I also need to make the effort to go out more,

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

Desiderata, Max Ehrmann

That is absolutely not a silly thing it is an absolutely amazing achievement. I don't know the reason behind being indoors for a while but I hope that little but huge step just the beginning of a whole new amazing journey for you.

@BlueGrey1

i was reading something over Christmas (sorry I can't link as I was just surfing the Internet & didn't save the article) about how much even just 11 minutes walking a day is really good for your health. MH, heart etc etc and I decided that I could do that. I can find 11 minutes a day, everyday.

I used to walk for a couple of hours a day, but had an accident & lost my mobility, & felt very very vulnerable, so I haven't been doing it for a while.

i rarely decide where I'm going I just go outside. I've had a couple of 20 minute walks, but mostly 40 mins to an hour, but I'm not upping my 'must do' beyond 11, if I do 11 minutes it's a tick in my diary. I aim/plan for a tick every day this year.

Congrats OP :) Sounds like you overcame a huge step.

Would you mind if I asked how you put the bins out? Sorry! It's a silly question I know :)

Wishing you all the best xx

Wow OP, that's amazing. This is literally the best thing I've heard today. Thanks for lifting my mood 😊 So happy for you!

One day at a time.

Be super proud of yourself op. That step outside was an enormous one. That took courage

Absolutely brilliant OP well done. Sending love 💕

That is a massive achievement Well done!
The first step is the hardest and it will become easier in time

Well done, you! That’s fabulous!
So pleased you liked it. ❤️💐

I’m very happy for you. 💐