Support for all those who live alone

[9millioncansofbeans]

Hello,

I live alone and also potentially have to follow the “shielding” guidance for 12 weeks. But even without that, 3 weeks lock down when you live alone is daunting.
Are there others in the same position? How can we support each other?

Lovely idea for a thread!

Im a single parent with no family nearby - not that this would make a difference at this time! - and have been working from home last week or so. Am definitely missing interaction so perhaps we can check in on one another?

@Newhouse76 that’s a good idea.
How old is your child/are your children?

I’ve set myself a work from home timetable to try and follow with mediations, exercise, breaks all programme in. I want to try and be screen free after 9pm too so I can get a better night sleep. I’m going to try reading and hopefully when weather picks up I can get out In the garden. But it’s the social interaction which is going to be so hard. I’ve been working from home for a week now.
Have you found anything that helps?

DD is 15 so not so small! Being together for such a long time can be lovely and very tense in equal measure!

Its really good that you have a little system drown up for working from home with lots of variety. I really need to do the same but have had so many calls that working from home has felt a bit frantic.

Ive found that keeping in touch with family and friends has been really helpful - in a weird way it’s reassuring that we are worrying about the same things. I would really like to build in some excersize and meditation too though. Garden is a great idea!

Are you able to keep in touch with family/colleagues via facetime or call?

Lovely idea. Can I join in please. Although I know this is what we need to do, I'm a bits about this. I don't know how I will cope.

I live alone and have been thinking about taking one walk a day, just to see people and not feel like the world ended. Not talk to people, just see them from afar

I live alone too and absolutely love being on my own, it's one of the ways I can manage my anxiety. I'm self employed and work from home too. I feel like I spent all of last year in social distancing mode too - obviously I went out for walks and the Post Office and such but not every day. But having heard everyone else seemingly struggle to stay indoors for a weekend, I'm feeling like I must be really strange.

Anyway, I'm proof you can totally do this and it won't be as bad as you think! If anything I noticed friends are really keen to stay in touch now - everyone who is usually too busy at work during the day is now working from home and on FB/WhatsApp a lot!

Please join us @flirtingwith40 and @sammymommy - i know what you mean sammy, I moved my desk closer to my window this morning so that I could feel reassured by seeing people walking past!

Flirting - its really horrible isnt it. I felt a bit paniced earlier Between BJ announcements and a sore throat that I am suffering from which I usually would have ignored

Morning. How are we today? I'm feeling a bit better today (but I do feel like I'm on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster so that could change at any point)
Are any of you still having to go to work?
My work has closed and there's nothing I can do at home, planning to decorate my house (I got the stuff last week, in preparation)

Evening everyone! How was everyone’s day? I’m working from home at the moment, I work in child protection so I can do it from home but as I’m a nurse by background I may be redeployed soon. Just waiting to hear if my asthma is too bad.
I’m so grateful it’s nice weather though. Had my lunch in the garden which was lovely. I might uncover my garden sofa tomorrow.
I’ve chatted to some family in video call today and scheduled a friend in tonight.
It’s weird that because work is so busy I’m talking all day long on phone so not at all lonely yet. But did have a big cry tonight as I’m anxious about work and being redeployed.
I’m london based and out my window today seemed like so many people out and about.

Hope everyone is good!!

Anyone watch liar?

Can I join all? Single mum to a four year old here. I have family close by but obviously can't see them at minute. It's such a challenging time isn't it. Glad to find this thread!

I am now living completely on my own. My OH died last month. I had hoped to be eased into widowhood, being out and about with my family and friends. But this is truly a baptism of fire for me.

Hello @Jinx2020 and @Mischance! We’re a new thread, the more the merrier!
@jinx2020 are you working from home ? Just be so challenging with a young child!
Oh @mischance I am so sorry. That must be so hard. We are here to provide company and support anyway we can! Are you in touch with friends and Family much? I just had an hour video call with a friend which was lovely. I used to hate video calls but I’m starting to really appreciate them!

@flirtingwith40 what decorating ideas have you got?

@Newhouse76 and @Sammymommy how are you both today?

@viccat thank you!! So great to to hear that!! I am hoping I feel the same as you do in a few weeks!

Trying to work from home - I am a teacher so chances are I will be on rota next month but for now it is online learning which is working out ok thankfully. How is everyone's daily routines going?

Actually I enjoy living alone - my sympathy is for those who are now in lockdown with an abusive/cheating/useless partner. I can see divorce rates soaring when this is all over.

I live alone with my dog which is usually fine as I am self-employed and teach fitness classes. Hoping for some good news this week from the Chancellor.
Of more immediate concern today is my lovely dog is quite poorly and I have to take him to vet this afternoon (after a video call with them earlier) as they are concerned (they will get him from the car and I wait outside and they ring me from inside with their findings). Feeling really shaky about him being ill. No family alive anymore so he is my world.

Another here also living alone/working from home during this! Trying to give myself a routine, going for a lunch time walk at the beach and doing an exercise video each evening after 'clocking off' from work. My DP also lives alone but due to our pets who wouldn't get along, we can't temporarily move in with each other so that's going to be difficult, not knowing when I'll see him again.

9millioncansofbeans - thank you for your kind words. This has come at a very bad time for me; but I am in constant touch with friends and family and am very thankful for that.

How is everyone today? I have done a body pump at home and had some breakfast. Going to do a bit of tidying and sort a couple of cupboards - can't say that I am being seized by a desire to de-clutter and clean sadly then dog walk lunchtime and perhaps another workout this afternoon. I'm a fitness instructor so want to try and maintain some of my fitness at least.
Sending to those who need it today. I've been a bit up and down this week but trying to have a better day today.

Hi all,
@Jinx2020 how do you feel about going back Ito school right now?
@PilatesPeach how is your dog doing? Being a fitness imctructor it must make it so hard to be stuck indoors and not seeing the people in your classes! Have you thought of teaching online? My sister is a dance teacher and is doing the classes online which is great as I’ve been able to do them even though we don’t live nearby!
@HarrietOh lunchtime beach walk sounds lovely!’ Have you had no weather? Must be so hard not seeing your DP though.
@Mischance great you are in constant contact. How do you stay in touch?

I’ve been told by work to enjoy the weekend as it’s the last one I will have - I’m a nurse! So I plan on being in the garden, washing my bedding and watching tv and sleeping! Also will go for some walks.
Keep safe everyone!!

I am a single parent and have no family either .
It is so lonely . I crave interaction with another adult . I have a few friends but they all have families and partners etc so don’t get much chit chat from them . It’s so lonely . I know my children are here but it’s not the same as having an adult to talk to .

Aw Fidgety that must be tough too. Can you reach out to a friend and ask for a quick FaceTime one evening? I’ve had some with friends and it really does help.

@mischance so sorry to hear about that.

I am not working anymore here. I have a report to finish, I cant focus on it but have to finish it soon. After that, I plan to give up. Just watch TV/read books and be in denial until it's all over.

I don't mind being alone all day, the evening are tougher. Yesterday evening was brutal, I had anxiety until 4 AM. Then this morning I tried to get out to buy some fresh vegs, for the first time since Sunday and that was super stressful. I feel like every little thing is too much stress at the moment (ordering a light bulb and change it). I am going to have a week in bed as soon as I am done with my report.

I complain, but I already feel better now (and am not planning to get out for another 10 days, I'll live without fresh vegs :D )