Solo lockdown

[UnaCorda]

Everyone is (understandably) focused childcare in the event of a lockdown situation, and how family members are likely to get under each other's feet, but as a childless person who lives alone (and is also single), I'm getting a bit concerned about the potential insidious loneliness and the adverse effect that it can have on one's mental health.

I realise it's not the most grave or worrying implication of the current situation, but I wondered if other people in the same (solo) boat might like to share some thoughts.

Two weeks of being at home and not seeing another human being might just send me over the edge...

Are there people you can call or even skype/facetime? That will give you some human contact. I would maybe plan out what you could do over the two weeks. Do you have any decorating or decluttering to do? Books you'd like to read or something else you don't usually have time for? if you have a little routine going it can help to make the days pass quicker.

Are there people you can call or even skype/facetime?

Yes, and I will of course phone friends/family, etc., but it's not the same as being around people.

Do you have any decorating or decluttering to do? Books you'd like to read or something else you don't usually have time for?

Yes, I have plenty of things I can do; that's not really what I'm worried about. I don't think decorating or reading replace the need for human contact and interaction, any more than talking to people replaces the need for food and water.

No but activities will help the time to pass and keep your mind off things. I don't want to sound patronising but if you dwell too much on how awful it will be, then it will be awful. You can't change it, you can only change how you view it. I have had times of immense loneliness in my life so I get how much it can affect people. But to a degree you do need to put it into perspective. I mean this in the kindest of ways but if your mental health is that fragile that you couldn't cope with 2 weeks, it may be something you need to address further.

Attempting to resurrect this thread as things have changed quite a bit in the last few days. I've realised it's the uncertainty as much as anything which is stressful, but am sort of resigned to being isolated now which is helping a little.

Does anyone in a similar situation want to share thoughts? I'm not really looking for suggestions of hobbies etc as I have plenty of interests I can pursue at home on my own, but they don't necessarily counteract the effects of extended enforced solitude.

I totally understand.

I'm sorry Una. I wouldn't miss people at all so l can't relate 😂

I’m a lone parent of a 1 year old so although not alone I don’t have anyone who is capable of forming sentences to chat with. I am worried about the isolation and when I might next get to have a real life face to face conversation. Today I’ve called 2 people and I plan to do the same tomorrow but use FaceTime instead. It helps a little.

Are you confined to the house or are you just socially distancing? If you can go out for walks there's something really comforting about seeing other people out and about, albeit at a distance.

Can you do group calls/group video calls? Quite a few people I know doing virtual wines...

Are you in a vulnerable group? If not there’s no guidance to isolate. If you develop symptoms and live alone then you isolate for 7 days.

www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

I'm home for 12 weeks now

As someone who used to live alone and LOVED it, this would still have been a concern for me. A long weekend used to leave me a bit feral. Two weeks is a long time without human contact.

Skype is good but not the same - as you say.

My tactic would be a daily routine of exercise and something productive. Sticking to a pattern of activity would really help me and stop days blurring into nights and over use of news media and navel gazing.

Good luck!

Do you live near a park Una? Taking a walk everyday is a great way to both get you out of the house, keep you healthy and, if you go at the same time everyday you will probably see the same people, a smile and a hello to a stranger will soon be a smile and a hello to a friend, as long as you keep a good distance away from each other you will both benefit.

I live alone too and don't have any family in this country... Being at home and away from people is strangely one of the things that keeps my mental health in control issues and I rarely leave the house for socialising under normal circumstances.

This feels different though, it has really made me feel vulnerable. I'm unlikely to catch the virus if I don't see anyone or go anywhere of course.

And my anxious brain is also saying "see, I KNEW staying at home and avoiding everyone was the key to survival", kind of validates the otherwise irrational anxiety! I feel like I lived in self isolation for much of last year too and it's so strange now everyone is having to do it for this.

Same here OP. It's my worst nightmare! I never ever stay at home during they day. I'm always out and about, wearing out the chairs in Nero's. Actually seriously concerned about how I would manage it.

Thanks, everyone.

No, I'm not vulnerable, or particularly worried for myself (in terms of the physical effects of catching Coronavirus). I think I should probably sit down and read exactly what is advised before limiting my activity too much unnecessarily - obviously not suggesting I'd want to put other people at risk, but if a walk in the park is fine then that will certainly help.

How are you doing OP?
I’m on my own too - no family but have been chatting on the phone to friends more than usual. Looks like no more meet ups for 3 weeks. Don’t know what I’d do without my dog for company.