Lived Experience Forum

[MoonGal]

@BlueBay, I hear you, it is very anxious for anyone, to walk into an entirley new situation - when we live with haywire systems it can be just a straight CAN'T most of the time. It would be so good if we could have "Buddies" to help us into something like a group we are interested in, to talk to and introduce us slowy. 🙂

[Deepsea]

Agree MoonGal. I was sent home with my volunteer work. I volunteered with an organisation to make connections with other like-minded people.... it was very disappointing, again. just made me feel like a failure once again

[Shaz51]

I did have a couple of friends , but now we have none @suzanne

[MoonGal]

@Zoe7 that is true for me some of the time too. I actually mostly like my own company learned through complex childhood stuff to just be on my own. I zig zag between being eternally grateful for beng on my own most of the time to then feeling shrunken and invisible. Neither is 'healthy' for me really. 

[suzanne]

Great points @Teej.  There's a real trap to thinking 'when I'm well enough I'll....' that I'm sure a lot of people relate to.

[Liss23]

I think we all need to make a real effort to make connections when we can. Small steps

[utopia]

@MoonGal. Definitely have a look at some groups  you may like.  Volunteer,  join a group.  It's  all about trying to get out there and socialise. 

[suzanne]

I like the buddy idea @MoonGal! 

In the UK they're reallly recognised the extend and impact of loneliness and they now have a loneliness Minister who is responsible for addressing it nationally.  I think it's a great step forward and one we should implement here.

But you've reminded us that even when programs exist we need to take an extra step to be inclusive and to help people become involved. 

[MoonGal]

(Minister for Loneliness - sounds like an Aldous Huxley novel. Don't know whether to laugh or cry.)

[Jonty8]

I think my own situation with loneliness is further complicated by age factors. I've noticed a steady drop off of friendships after my mid 20's (I'm in my mid 30's now). The vast majority of my peers are married and have kids. Finding people my age who are not committed to partners and children is getting increasingly difficult.