feeling Isolated — Scope | Disability forum
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feeling Isolated

JBro
JBro Community member Posts: 12 Connected
edited January 2022 in Mental health and wellbeing
Hi everybody I am struggling with adjusting to life in the pandemic I feel lifestyles and habits have changed due to all the restrictions. It has made me feel like I have to rebuild my life again and has left me feeling lonely. I have been suffering with anxiety which I am seeking professional help for. I was curious as to whether anybody is experiencing the same? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated thank you.     
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Comments

  • woodbine
    woodbine Community member Posts: 11,519 Disability Gamechanger
    hi @JBro the pandemic has affected and impacted on so many of us, the good news I hope is that it can't last forever and we will get back to our "normal"lives later in the year.
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  • JBro
    JBro Community member Posts: 12 Connected
    Thank you @Teddybear12 and @woodbine for your comments and kind words of encouragement it means a lot to me and yes let's hope 2022 is a better year. @Teddybear12 yes I have a couple of friends and a very supportive family. However I am looking at different avenues. I think this online community forum is just fantastic I have also seeked out a helpline I can use which is great. Thank you both for your responses. 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    edited January 2022
    I can certainly relate to some of those feelings @JBro. I'm sure many others can too. I can especially relate to the feeling of having to 'rebuild' your life, as I graduated from uni during the pandemic so there have been quite a few life changes since then! 

    I'm glad that you've been enjoying the online community so far. Online communities can be a good way of chatting to new people, and can certainly reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. 

    What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have? Are you interested in attending any in-person social groups? 

    It's great that you have supportive family and friends, and that you've been active in seeking support for your anxiety :) I hope it all helps, and that 2022 is a better year for you. 
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  • JBro
    JBro Community member Posts: 12 Connected
    Hi @Tori_Scope thank you for sharing your experience and that you can relate to the  feeling of having to rebuild your life again and I'm sure there are lots out there who have anxieties It's good to know I am not the only one! That's great you graduated from uni, what subjects did you do?

    Yes the online community is certainly helpful and a good way of connecting with new people and reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation.

    I do have hobbies and interests I like to volunteer, I look after dogs at a doggy day care that's local to me, I also do singing lessons online so that's fun. In person social groups I don't know there's much going on at the moment?

    Certainly helps having a supportive family and friends. 

    Thank you for your response.  
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,979 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @JBro

    I am glad to hear you find the online community helpful and a good way of connecting with new people. Feeling connected certainly helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

    I am also really glad to hear you are already participating in online groups as that's another useful way to connect with other people. Do you find these help you to feel less lonely and isolated? 

    In terms of social groups going on at the moment in person, I think this would largely depend on your local area so it may be worth seeing what events are happening locally (if any!). 

    Keep putting one foot in front of the other. I think you are doing really well in trying to connect with others  :)


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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    I did a politics and social policy degree @JBro :) 

    It sounds as though you have quite a few interests, which is great. It's really good that you do some volunteering, too, as that's one way you can meet like-minded people. Is there any opportunity for socialising with any of the other volunteers or staff?

    The singing lessons sound fun too. Have you considered joining a choir? If you're not comfortable attending in-person sessions, perhaps you could consider joining an online choir?

    I think it depends really. You could look on sites such as meetup.com to see if there are any events or groups running. Even if they're not running in person now, it might still be useful to get an idea of what you'd be interested in trying out in the future. 
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  • Danielle_2022
    Danielle_2022 Community member Posts: 266 Pioneering
    Hi @JBro,
    It's been a while since your last post here, so I just wanted to check in and see how you're managing the anxiety these days? As the others have said, I know that it's kind of a universal experience at the moment, but I'm so glad you were able to seek professional help when it was needed. Your volunteering sounds great -- I will take any excuse to spend time with dogs! & your hobbies, too. How are the singing lessons coming along? I hope that you'll find it a little easier to access in-person events now, with the change in rules.

    All of these things sound like they're really stepping outside of your comfort zone, which is a great way to combat anxiety, even if it's just for a small period of every day. I have personally taken to going for short drives with my mum, without any real destination in mind, just to get out of the house. It all helps! The fact that you're able to openly communicate about this is an achievement in itself and I hope that your efforts have led to lots of new friendships! I find that gaming is a good strategy for that, too.
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