Isolation and loneliness
I've talked a lot about loneliness before so I won't go into that too much. However, with the pandemic on our hands and everyone self-isolating and social distancing left and right (please keep it up!), this whole situation is bringing up all kinds of emotions for me.
Yes, I know how to entertain myself, be alone, and all that jazz. However, I feel as though I've made great strides over the last 6 months in putting myself out there. No more was I the sad depressed loner loser girl that hid at home. I went places, with or without people, but I put myself into situations that normally would make me very anxious. 2019, if nothing else, was the year that I truly overcame my social anxiety.
Now I fear that I'll get pulled back into old habits...
I know I'm not alone in this fear as a friend tweeted something very similar recently. Those of us who have thrived while being alone and tried to push passed that may fall into old habits. There's a reason why they say "old habits die hard." I've been trying to still be present with my friends... keeping myself available for phone calls or video chats, answering text messages more rapidly. Everyone is going to feel a different level of loneliness at this time.
I texted a friend to today to comment on how quiet our neighborhood is... which is very rare for a Sunday afternoon. His response was "good! we're trying to stop a pandemic!" At first I was taken aback by his abruptness like, "dude I get it!" but I also understand the response. We're all scared. We're all trying to do our part... even if it feels weird or awkward or outside of the norm.
So how do we deal? How do we get through this? I wish I knew. I wish I had all the answers. I'm just as scared and confused and nervous as everyone else. We have to take care of ourselves while still looking out for others. Keep your phone on, make sure that others know you're available if they need you. I've had quite a few people respond to things I've tweeted saying to call them any time. Just knowing that there are people out there who care and want to stay connected is enough to not fall back into isolated social anxiety... hopefully.
Everyone reading this, please stay safe and well and healthy. Please take care of yourself and be mindful of the needs of others. We have to stick together on this.
Love you.
- Danielle
Yes, I know how to entertain myself, be alone, and all that jazz. However, I feel as though I've made great strides over the last 6 months in putting myself out there. No more was I the sad depressed loner loser girl that hid at home. I went places, with or without people, but I put myself into situations that normally would make me very anxious. 2019, if nothing else, was the year that I truly overcame my social anxiety.
Now I fear that I'll get pulled back into old habits...
I know I'm not alone in this fear as a friend tweeted something very similar recently. Those of us who have thrived while being alone and tried to push passed that may fall into old habits. There's a reason why they say "old habits die hard." I've been trying to still be present with my friends... keeping myself available for phone calls or video chats, answering text messages more rapidly. Everyone is going to feel a different level of loneliness at this time.
I texted a friend to today to comment on how quiet our neighborhood is... which is very rare for a Sunday afternoon. His response was "good! we're trying to stop a pandemic!" At first I was taken aback by his abruptness like, "dude I get it!" but I also understand the response. We're all scared. We're all trying to do our part... even if it feels weird or awkward or outside of the norm.
So how do we deal? How do we get through this? I wish I knew. I wish I had all the answers. I'm just as scared and confused and nervous as everyone else. We have to take care of ourselves while still looking out for others. Keep your phone on, make sure that others know you're available if they need you. I've had quite a few people respond to things I've tweeted saying to call them any time. Just knowing that there are people out there who care and want to stay connected is enough to not fall back into isolated social anxiety... hopefully.
Everyone reading this, please stay safe and well and healthy. Please take care of yourself and be mindful of the needs of others. We have to stick together on this.
Love you.
- Danielle
