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18-09-2018 07:55 PM
18-09-2018 07:55 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT
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18-09-2018 07:56 PM
18-09-2018 07:56 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT
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18-09-2018 07:56 PM
18-09-2018 07:56 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT
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18-09-2018 07:57 PM - edited 18-09-2018 07:58 PM
18-09-2018 07:57 PM - edited 18-09-2018 07:58 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT
A quick addition - when I worked full time, I also volunteered on weekends or evenings. I do volunteer work from home helping a little NGO with graphic design, look after their wesbite, do a bit of fundraising online etc - and that is great and makes me feel useful in the world, BUT - apart from occaisional emails with the people there, it is no substitiute for personal connection. So, really it is the people factor, yet when I think about most people, I really couldn't be bothered getting involved, volunteering would HAVE to be based around shared interest like environment, animals, politics... so we can talk without personal sharing too much.
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18-09-2018 07:57 PM
18-09-2018 07:57 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT
I'm curious as to whether anyone here has given this a shot and make new friendships this way?
I have volunteered before and found it quite helpful. Several years ago I started going to my local Buddhist society to learn meditation. After a while, I started volunteering in the library there and made several friends. Unfortunately, volunteering takes commitment and due to the episodic nature of my mental illness, my ability to commit changes. I stopped doing it after a long spell of depression and have kinda burnt that bridge.
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18-09-2018 07:58 PM
18-09-2018 07:58 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT
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18-09-2018 07:58 PM
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18-09-2018 07:58 PM
18-09-2018 07:58 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT
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18-09-2018 07:58 PM
18-09-2018 07:58 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT
@suzanne I didn't volunteer, but I finally bit the bullet and joined a group. My psychologist said I needed a social group. So I finally found something I liked - African Drumming. Was so excited. Went to fist session. Was very nervous but I made it through and decided I could join this group. They felt safe. But since then, there hasn't been any classes. Accident, injury, illnesses have prevented classes from starting. I was looking forward not just to the drumming (which is very relaxing) - but to mixing and meeting the people.
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18-09-2018 07:59 PM
18-09-2018 07:59 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT
Just thought I’d drop in. This topic is hugely messy for me.
I think it’s hard as many members have mentioned in that planning to go out in advance and being able to make it on the day are difficult. I think ive self imposed not having friendships much until I’m more reliable. I think that having nothing to say or common point to talk about is very isolating, and for me I feel more shame and so avoid that by avoiding socialising.
In my head I think I have this point that when I’m okay enough I will socialise again. But I think my reality will be different to that. I think the socioeconomic costs of dealing with my mental health also are a barrier to socialising.