My mental health is being affected

[Claire926]

I have stayed strong for nearly a year but for the past 6 weeks I have felt very low and tearful. Over the past year I have only seen friends about 6 times and that was outdoors social distancing. I have stayed home, distanced and wore a mask.

I know they made the announcements yesterday but it still feels such a long time to be meeting up with people again. I also read things about possible lockdowns in October again which I don't think I could cope with again.

Sometimes it just feels like I'm the only one staying in. You hear the stories about people have gone back to their daily business now and going to friends houses, parties etc. It's ok for them as their mental health isn't be affected.

Also, other friends of mine are very low and are coming to me with their problems which I want to support them but they don't realise I'm struggling too!

I do eat properly and exercise but want to feel good again. Anyone else been through this and got over it? Thanks.

Just break the rules. No one is going to give you a medal you know? If it’s affecting your MH then stop being a martyr, and meet your friends.

In two weeks you’ll be able to meet a friend for a picnic. Soon after that you can meet in a group of 6 in a garden. Don’t think about later in the year, hopefully we won’t need more lockdowns. Ignore all the people spreading doom. Concentrate on the things you can do and will be able to do very soon.

@Racoonworld Thank you for putting things in a rational way. I think that is the best way for me to move forward and focus on the now.

Sorry you're finding it tough. There are some people bending the rules but the vast majority are doing their best to follow them still. There have been so many threads on here by people who are struggling in exactly the same way as you are so please challenge your thoughts that you're the only one staying in. Our brains tell us all sorts and in this case it's just not true. I can't tell you the number of friends I have who are feeling desperate right now.

We are near the end now. It's shit having to slog through for longer but this really is hopefully the last of the pandemic now - certainly it's very unlikely things will be this bad again. Reach out to your friends, if they're leaning on you it should be mutual. We can only deal with October in October but at the moment a full lockdown then is extremely unlikely - it's more likely we might have restrictions like wearing masks in some places and people being asked to reduce specific activities if things did get bad. But there is lots of time between now and then to have more life. Hang on in there. We are in it together.