“Feeling Lonely? Let’s Chat and Support Each Other”

Hi there
I had to go to the vets with my 14 year old cat yesterday and he didn't come back with me, I'm missing his snoring ,the house is so quiet, I went out for a walk today and when I came back through the door it hit me Bobby was gone so no need to say anything, I do hope this eases soon I am very sad

Very sorry to hear your sad news Mandymoo I’ve had many cats over the years and when the last two were gone the house felt very quiet for ages.
I wonder why Devine hasn’t come back to this excellent thread she started.
Time to jump in the shower methinks. Have a good day!

Madeleine45
What a story my goodness you ve been through the mill makes my recent ups and downs seem totally irrelevant
I DO sincerely hope you get back into your home soon and everything is ok from here on in you ve been very very unlucky Are the previous owners responsible for not telling you something or was it a completely unexplained out of the blue outcome
I hope things start to improve for you
Xx

That’s a really tough time for you, Madeleine45. I do hope you get back home soon.
After a busy weekend of concerts and carol services, I’ve got my last rehearsal tonight for next Saturday, but no more evening activities for nearly three weeks. I’m ready for a break but it’s my main social activity, which I shall miss.

Morning to everyone. Let us hope today is better and happier for all

Mince pies to make after a walk. A bit cloudy out here but certainly not too bad.

If only all lonely people could get together somehow. We can on here, thankfully.
I'm going to the library today. Reading keeps me sane. I can lose myself in a book.
It's sunny here this morning. I hope everyone has a nice day.

I'm so sorry Mandymoo, it's the downside of having animals when we lose them isn't it. I live alone, widowed 6 years, hours walk twice a day with dogs, inevitably there are days when I see no-one, I have the radio on all day and a little chat on here is most welcome

Good morning everyone.
Mandymoo I am so sorry to hear your news, It will take a little while to adjust but I wish you well.
Today I have decided it is cleaning day whohoo the exciting life I lead. Started by descaling kettle, cleaned the bathroom lovely shining taps for now. Need a cuppa then will probably mop the kitchen floor. Got to admit it’s not my favourite job but I do like it clean.
I finished my sewing projects for Xmas gifts early this morning so feeling relieved . I never know what to buy and the people I have made gifts for love getting them so pleased with them being completed
Is anyone else busy?

Tea and Chat age Uk
I met a lady on the bus the other day she was beaming from ear to ear. Someone told her about a local tea and chat group and went for the first time. She was made so welcome bought a couple of raffle tickets and won a scarf. Honestly she was thrilled with the interaction and had never heard of this before.
These weekly social clubs are held in lounges of supported housing schemes and offer a variety of activities and entertainment. Might be worth checking in your local areas to see if there is one local you may want to attend.

Well I’ve been for a 45 min walk, jumped in the car and popped to Sainsbury to pick up a few bits my daughter recommended their mini mince pies but they had none. A lot of bad drivers on the road today how they ever pass the test is beyond me and they appear to not know when they’ve made a mistake or maybe they don’t care.
Couple of gifts left to wrap and I’m done. I’m still waiting for my son to send me his bank details it’s been 3 days and he’s read my Watsapp message, what is it with boys? Why can’t they just reply.
Well nearly lunch time.

Nice to have a dry day here so been out in the garden to cut back a few shrubs and clear fallen leaves from the flower bed.
Logs delivered this morning and safely stored away in the garage.
Prescriptions due to be delivered shortly and cards written to deliver to neighbours.
Hope everyone has a nice day.

Mandymoo, I feel your pain. Our first cat (who in his infinite wisdom decided to adopt us as his slaves) died 3 weeks before Christmas in 1996 and we still miss him and speak of him and his little ways often. For years I still teared up when it got a bit 'intense' and I'm sure you know what I mean by that. Enjoy your Christmas in your own way and think nice thoughts

Lucyd

Afternoon everyone. I have been feeling very lonely and down recently. Have had sinusitis followed by a rotten head cold that isn't shifting which is probably acontributing factor but am struggling with my current living situation (longish story but I feel I have made a wrong and costly choice but it is something I am stuck with till my house is built). Luckily my part time job fills in some days and I do have good friends and family. It is the feeling of constant anxiety that is awful. Roll on spring!

It is the feeling of constant anxiety that is awful.

The only way to deal with that awful constant anxiety Lucyd is to make a plan.

... a plan of what you will do if 'xxx' situation arises - and what your options are.

Also - and this is advice from my late mother which I always adhered to - imagine the worst-case scenario, and then decide what you will do if it happens - then mentally file it away.

Whatever the circumstances, anxiety is usually caused by the 'what-ifs' swirling around in your mind, so it's best to face them head-on, rather than wait and worry.

Of course, your recent sinusitis and head-cold will have made you feel down and have most likely contributed to that overall feeling of worry.

It's a truism that things are not always as bad as they seem, and (as my old mum said) the worst-case scenario doesn't usually happen anyway - but if you're prepared as you can be, you will feel less anxious!

I wish you a good outcome, anyway, and hope you can stop beating yourself up with anxiety about your decision - which might turn out to be not as bad as you think it is!

Im so sorry about your cat Mandymoo. It’s heartbreaking to lose a furry friend - but your sadness shows how much he was loved. Hope you feel strong enough after a while to give another a lovely home.
I feel lonely sometimes too - even though I have a lovely caring family and good friends. I think it’s because my son is very unhappy at the moment for lots of reasons, and I’m thinking about it all the time. I have never been good at sharing my emotions with friends, so tend to bottle things up. I’ve always had a fear of being ‘needy’. Silly I know. I always feel that there’s a pressure to be happy and jolly at Christmas and I’m just not feeling it.
So on with the smile and on with the sprouts to feed the coming five thousand (slight exaggeration 😂)
Thoughts to all those with sadness xx

Mandymoo, I know that feeling. My beloved cat Billy had to be put to sleep on October 29th, and I thought life couldn`t get any sadder. Then my eldest daughter, who was disabled and had always lived with me, died on November 21st, and although my other children are making sure I`m OK and helping me with all the arrangements that have to be made, I still feel so alone, especially at night.
This thread is a lovely idea, I`ll try not to drag it down by being TOO miserable! TOYA

Hellogirl1 you will be feeling so sad and lost at the moment. How could you not. Tune in here whenever you want. Always someone free to chat.

Thank you! xx

Sympathy to those who have lost their beloved cats recently.
We had a few cats over the years and loved then mourned each one.
Our Grandaughter has homed a cat in the last few months called Flossie. She was so scared and shy at first but is now a real lap cat who loves a cuddle, I hope they have many happy years together.
It’s almost dark now and the Christmas lights are on,wishing you all a peaceful night.

Henetha my library is a lifeline in the Winter too, imagine my disappointment as it’s just been closed for 6mths. It’s being refurbished and they have a container in the car park with a small selection. I’ll manage but was disappointed.

What a good idea this thread is - a little bit like the Good Morning thread, which I love, but 'open all hours'.
I too used to feel so alone and lonely and hopeless. My husband was killed in a road accident 30 years ago and I was quite honestly terrified of being alone. Our two sons were in the military and our daughter had just gone off to uni - it was a terrible time. And it has taken me years - and a SAD lamp! - to gain the level of acceptance I feel now about it. I actually enjoy my own company these days. I think the two COVID lockdowns were the catalysts for change, I'm not sure why really.
None of my family lives very close but I'm in constant contact with them - what a wonderful thing WhatsApp is!
I also discovered tai chi about 20 years ago and am now an instructor. I'm only taking two classes a week now (I'm 83 and don't have the same stamina that I used to have) but it is my equivalent of a good walk. I do it in the garden during good weather, enjoying listening to the birds and watching the fish in the pond - it's so relaxing.
Today I've been busy wrapping presents - one day I'll cut it back and buy only one present per person. But 'one day' isn't today!
I am so sorry for the great sadness some of you are wading through at the moment and am sending thoughts of comfort to you all and the warmest of hugs.

Well at last some better news. I am totally exhausted , it is gone 10pm and have been awake since 4.30 am but, after delays problems and sat in chaos in a cold flat with no hot water or electricity, and the phone not working to boot, this evening the great plumber and his electrician mate arrived and hurrah hurrah I now have a working toilet, and yes!! hot water, a whole tank full. Still much to do but the shower is connectd and the fan extractor, but seat for the shower not here until tomorrow.. I would have liked to wash up in the kitchen and clean it as it is under a layer of gray dust everywhere, but my back just wont let me do any more tonight, so am about to go back to the hotel for a much needed rest and hope to tackle some things tomorrow. I can actually think now of getting in touch with friends and will be going to sing of course. So shall be able to contact a couple of charities that I usually sing with and join them. It is still going to take a long time to get sorted but the next dry day that I am in less pain, I shall make up a picnic, put my china mug, cafetiere and thermos in the car and go to m y special place. I will drive up through the villages of Askrigg etc and over the buttertubs to my beloved Swaledale and up above Thwaite. i will have my binoculars , watch the birds and look across the meadows and lthink of my darling husband whose ashes are scattered there There will be my poetry books and radio three to listen to Bach on the way back (he is composer of the week at 4pm for anyone who loves his music) When I am sat there everything else will be more in perspective and I feel that I am a tiny part of that place but that is where I belong. When I am ready I shall take a slow drive down Swaledale and not let christmas rush bother me. Music, poetry , reading and being very aware of the pleasure of somewhere warm and dry to sit , so long as I dont harm anyone else I can please myself . Time to go to bed. Hoping that something has improved your day for you and that everyone can start their day tomorrow with something good.

Oh Hellogirl1, I’m so sorry that you are going through such an unimaginably sad time. My thoughts and hugs are sent to you.
I’m currently on a night shift - not insomnia this time. I only do occasional shifts but despite my moaning they keep
me going, and I’m not ready to give up yet.

tanith

love0c I feel I already watch too much tv and sitting for long periods isnt good.
So where do you all go to walk?
I'm nosy! 😃

Yes, Tanith, I always feel better after a walk surrounded by nature. It helps to get things into perspective. I'm fortunate enough to live near a canal, where nature is protected (though not from thugs with airguns, sadly). There is also a large park nearby, which used to be the grounds of a Tudor mansion. People need to connect with nature. I think a lot of our problems are caused by living in over-crowded urban environments.

What an uplifting post*Madeleine*. I'm so glad things are going in the right direction at last!