Feeling really low

Well! After reading everyones’ posts, I feel bad because I’m NOT feeling bad! I don’t know if I’m a bit of a freak, or if the Pollyannas like me are just keeping their heads down.

How many of you on lockdown are really forbidden to go out? How many have just persuaded yourselves that it’s SCARY out there, and you are going to hide away until all the nasty germs have gone away?
Maybe I’m just a cockeyed optimist, but life is still good. OK. Something bad might happen to me, or one of my family, at any time, but brooding about it won’t change anything. It will just depress the hell out of me. So I go for a walk every day, and listen to the birds singing. I chat, safely, to many of the people I meet. I watch the news only briefly, once a day, because listening to all that doom and gloom does no-one any good. I seek out tv programmes that make me laugh, or interesting documentaries and quizzes.
I also go on Facebook and scroll through ‘View from my window’. People from all over the world post a picture of what they can see from their windows, and it’s fascinating. Looking at the pictures, and posting comments can happily take up several hours.
I hope that those of you who have posted about feeling so down aren’t annoyed by my chirpy comments. Believe me, I have every sympathy for you all. I have a friend who suffers badly with depression, and it’s a horrible condition.
I’m just suggesting that you try to do a bit of life reassessment, get out of the house if you possibly can, and try not to focus on the bl***y virus so much. It will pass, and life will get back to normal again, for most people.

Sorry to hear you are feeling low. I am sure we all have been in this position during the lockdown and you are allowed to cry etc, Things will get better at some point but we have to learn to be patient. I admit this is not one of my strong points.
Reading between the lines, I think you are dreading retirement. Can I convince you that it can be great in normal circumstances%? Try to look at the positives such as not having to get up in cold Winters, having the choice to do what you want when you want. Think of what you would like to do with your time, learn something, join a group, volunteer for an organisation, take up swimming. The options are endless. Be down but then get back up. Good luck!!

I started off feeling like that GreenGran. The Wobbles hit me out of the blue..

We’re shielding because of DH’s health. No we won’t be fined or locked up for going out, but, considering the consequences if DH had caught The Virus were likely to be very bad, we would have been silly to have done so when it was more prevalent.

I think being able to go out for that exercise walk each day makes such a difference. To be able to go to the shops and chat to others face to face - even at a distance. Now we’ve decided to go out in the car, walk a bit, chat to people at a distance, once a week is enough, we feel part of society again.

I have felt like you at times I keep telling myself this will pass you will get through this I find watching the news less and old episodes of Not going out with Lee Mack and Tim Vine help to cheer me up

No I'm certainly not annoyed Greengran. Your post is so pisitive, cheerful and uplifting. I will read it in the morning again to help motivate me. Thank you.

Totally understand your sinking feelings but you will surface and even fly. Firstly, be nice to yourself: order a treat whether Margaret Dabbs hand cream or foot cream or champagne or adopt a puppy. See what your neighbours need. Join some Zoom groups: Russian, Music, Crime Fiction.
Start a basket for your local foodbank.
And get going on your memoir, knitting, growing samphire and jewellery making. You've years of creative life in you starting right now.
Good luck and stay well!

GreenGran
No, your not alone, I'm a pollyana. It's not my fault that I'm not frightened, scared to go out.

Ive not been too bad but the last few days Ive really been down mainly due to not being able to sit outside in the warm sunshine. All down to inconsiderate residents who are milling about and socialising in the communal gardens ignoring the social distance rule!! They are acting as if everything is normal when it isnt. I did report this to the manager here and was told that the council 'cant' stop them as they arent breaking any council rules and are entitled to sit in the comunual gardens!
So I sit by an open window to get fresh air and a bit of sunshine.

This lady has expressed how she feels now it doesn’t mean she’s a depressed soul or not appreciating of what she has it is just where her brain Is taking her at the moment
I also think it’s quite unhelpful saying ‘I m Staying happy and positive and managing wonderfully‘ if she could she would
I am a very positive person who often gets accused of being a Pollyanna as I always try to look for a positive answer but I feel down some days, other days I wake up more chipper there’s no explanations needed it is what it is
I go out every day, I m not frightened if that’s what you re implying causes anyone to feel down merylstreep I don’t see the point of that post

I think more than anything Lizabeth just wanted reassurance that she’s not alone in feeling low.... and you’re not as you see the vast number of replies have echoed how you are feeling to some extent Some more, some less. It is what it is Maybe the chipper ‘happy as Larry’ posters can start their own ‘I m fine‘ thread
There’s nothing pulls people down more than opening their heart and someone negating it by their own opposite feelings

Sorry, me again. Thinking it over, I reflected that it's the physical closeness to friends and family that's missing from my life. We are a tactile family. I need the bear hugs my GSs give me (endangering my ribs) and I need my DSs to put an arm round my shoulders.My GDs will put their heads on my shoulder and confide in me. I don't went to sit 6 feet away from friends whom I'd rather greet with a hug.
Maybe I should become a tree hugger - but that would hardly be reciprocal!

I think we all have times like that and also the prospect of retirement is playing on your mind. I became very ill some years ago and had to leave the job that I loved so I understand something of how you feel. I didn't want to leave, it was forced on me by circumstances, just like you are doing now. I went through a period that I felt was like mourning and couldn't see a future that I'd enjoy. However, we adjust to all things eventually. My life slowed down, and I learnt what the phrase 'stop and smell the roses' really meant, and I appreciate everything that I now have time for. Yes, sometimes it is boring, but everyone can be bored at any time in their lives. I was even bored sometimes when my children were small and home all day! I'm sure you will find an enjoyable life, just a different one, but it might take a while to adjust from being rushed because you had to go to work as well as have a home life. Think back to your childhood and maybe take up an interest you had then but never had time for until now. I hope you feel much more positive today.

Oh dear, I'm so sorry that you, greengran, and all those others of you feeling the same way, feel like life's coming to an end, but please believe me it's not.

When my grandson died I WANTED my life to come to an end. I felt as though I had let my son and his son down in some way. I even tried to end it (not the first time), but I even failed at that so had to face living again.

I won't pretend it's easy, but time is used up. Shopping is no longer a mad dash around the store, it's leisurely, and involves chatting to people.

A long walk every day takes up time, as do hobbies. Going out for the day is now an option, as are the month long holidays camping around Europe, catching up with friends, time in the garden, classes in things we always thought about but didn't have time for.........

Life at the moment isn't the reality, it's a pandemic! I'm guessing that the last one, a century ago, is remembered by very few, but in years to come we will all be talking about it, our great, great grandchildren, will learn about 2020 as a part of their history lessons, history that we are a part of. So no, this isn't life as it will be, this is history in the making!

Thank you all again. I am feeling much better. Saw four hedgehogs last night. Because of lockdown I can stay up as late as I want watching them as I don't have to worry about the alarm clock. Those of you who linked my sadness with retirement are probably right. It's the feeling that whenever this is over and life gets back to normal, I will be left behind. Like I am standing on the shore watching the ship sail without me. But no one is forcing me to retire. I may decide not to. And if I do there is a thriving U3A in this city. Your kind words helped so much. I can be a real grumpy so and so. I shall remember everything you have said and strive to be better and more positive!

lizbeth I hated retirement And had a year feeling a bit like now useless, pointless etc etc, my daughter told me to do some voluntary work and I ve never looked back (till now) it’s got me happily through the last 6 years Just working in a charity shop I love everything about it and can do as many hours a week as I want I love the interaction with the customers I love being useful and lots of banter with some good staff I will be fine once I get back to it I can fully recommend it
It’s something to get up for