Anyone else having trouble getting excited about anything?

[tcufrog]

It's tough logistically and emotionally to have family in the hospital, especially when they are unable to advocate for themselves when they are without family.

 

[TLSnell1981]

My mom was in hospital last few weeks for breaking femur. She's 81 and has memory issues. She called crying everyday wondering why no one wanted to visit her. That was hard.

I got a paycut that lasts through November and its hurting.

But....our zoos opened, we are visiting, museums open next week. We are planning a small trip and then WDW next year.
We are enjoying working from a home and spending time with our cat.
We plan to adopt two kittens!

So I feel there are still things to look forward to.
I annoyingly always have hope. I try to quell it but it won't go away! Things will get better.

Too bad we live so far away from one another. I trapped three feral kittens approximately six weeks ago. My plan was to have them vaccinated, and spayed/neutered...release at the barn. Although they have adapted quite well. One had a severe bacterial infection and now has hemiparesis. He has signicatly improved but must be an inside cat. Wasn't the plan but he's really cute and very spoiled.♥

 

[choirfarm]

I hear your sadness and frustration, but I think this [bolded] is harsh.

Perhaps. I know that isn't their intent, but it will be the result...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Perhaps. I know that isn't their intent, but it will be the result...

Let's try not to speak in absolutes when we would have no way of knowing them. I offer this in kindness but maybe your continual depression affects your outlook. Have you sought some outside aide like many of us gave advice for over the last few months out of genuine concern for your mental wellbeing? You don't have to answer if you feel uncomfortable about it I just still hear the despondency in your posts

 

[luvsvacation]

Quite honestly if I was mostly staying home and reading through these boards I would probably be depressed too. Reading here gives the impression that most people are staying home, keeping away from friends/family, only getting together rarely and then only far apart outdoors with little hugging. Many talk of still doing only online grocery pick up and take out. I’ve been fairly surprised how little variance of opinion I have seen on these boards.

It does not match what I’m seeing outside in real life. I’ve been living a fairly “normal” life for many months now. We’ve been traveling a variety of places for the past 3 weeks and that’s what I’ve seen everywhere I’ve gone, is people out living very normally, wearing masks of course. That’s probably the only real difference is people are wearing masks, and some places we’ve traveled dining is exclusively outdoors. Currently we’re in NYC and all dining has been outdoors here, but still very “normal”.

 

[choirfarm]

Quite honestly if I was mostly staying home and reading through these boards I would probably be depressed too. Reading here gives the impression that most people are staying home, keeping away from friends/family, only getting together rarely and then only far apart outdoors with little hugging. Many talk of still doing only online grocery pick up and take out. I’ve been fairly surprised how little variance of opinion I have seen on these boards.

It does not match what I’m seeing outside in real life. I’ve been living a fairly “normal” life for many months now. We’ve been traveling a variety of places for the past 3 weeks and that’s what I’ve seen everywhere I’ve gone, is people out living very normally, wearing masks of course. That’s probably the only real difference is people are wearing masks, and some places we’ve traveled dining is exclusively outdoors. Currently we’re in NYC and all dining has been outdoors here, but still very “normal”.

Must be nice.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

No, but Tuesday is my 30th anniversary and we always take a big trip on the fives. My church had a choir for 4th of July (smaller, socially distanced) but I still don't think it was safe so I didn't participate. I've been singing in church choirs for over 40 years and directed some as well. The pain in my chest as I watched them, knowing it may not be safe to do that for 4-5 years if that. I am a HUGE planner. After living for my kids and husband and getting severely depressed, I finally had plans for me and Covid shot them to hell. I have 5 years of hunkering down which sounds like eternity and then who knows what society will be like. Planned to do tons of mission work. Nope and many of our friends and colleagues are dying in 3rd world counties. I don't even know how to plan to minister to people. I've been calling senior citizens, taking baked goods to shut ins and donating money to food banks, but it isn't enough. Do many people will be suffering either physically or financially and I can't fix it. No. People want to go to Disney to kill others while I sit at home helpless. No power. No plans.

Your mindset is very extreme. I know this will be around for a while, possibly forever in some form, but 4-5 years? I’ve got to try to have some confidence that we’ll have a lot more tools to combat this long before then and life will move on.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Quite honestly if I was mostly staying home and reading through these boards I would probably be depressed too. Reading here gives the impression that most people are staying home, keeping away from friends/family, only getting together rarely and then only far apart outdoors with little hugging. Many talk of still doing only online grocery pick up and take out. I’ve been fairly surprised how little variance of opinion I have seen on these boards.

It does not match what I’m seeing outside in real life. I’ve been living a fairly “normal” life for many months now. We’ve been traveling a variety of places for the past 3 weeks and that’s what I’ve seen everywhere I’ve gone, is people out living very normally, wearing masks of course. That’s probably the only real difference is people are wearing masks, and some places we’ve traveled dining is exclusively outdoors. Currently we’re in NYC and all dining has been outdoors here, but still very “normal”.

It does seem that many who are unhappy and fearful are still mostly staying at home or sheltering in place. It's amazing how you can return to "somewhat normal" if you use precautions.

I still do a lot of online shopping but I did that BEFORE COVID.

 

[choirfarm]

Your mindset is very extreme. I know this will be around for a while, possibly forever in some form, but 4-5 years? I’ve got to try to have some confidence that we’ll have a lot more tools to combat this long before then and life will move on.

We'll see. People told me I was extrene for saying 100,000 people would die. We are now up to 140,000 and it hasn't even been a year.

 

[choirfarm]

It does seem that many who are unhappy and fearful are still mostly staying at home or sheltering in place. It's amazing how you can return to "somewhat normal" if you use precautions.

I still do a lot of online shopping but I did that BEFORE COVID.
[/QUOTE
No I cannot return to normal. I cannot sing in a choir. I cannot perform in community theater. I cannot go on mission trips. I cannot hug my friends. I was seeing and visii my mom ever week, actually spent the night every week because I was going to graduate school where I was meeting tons of new people. Now all online. I haven't seen her since the shut down in March and cannot because it is too dangerous for her. If she and my strp-dad get it they are dead. My normal was hardly ever being in my house. It will be 4 years or more before I can do any of that.

 

[NMBCFangirl]

My mom was in hospital last few weeks for breaking femur. She's 81 and has memory issues. She called crying everyday wondering why no one wanted to visit her. That was hard.

This really is so difficult. My Mother broke her hip mid March, also has memory issues, and none of us are able to go see her. She keeps asking me when I'm coming. Sigh.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Thank you I'm at the stalking the tracking number phase of excitement since getting the e-mail regarding it having been shipped

Frivolous things that make me happy. Not in any particular order.

Mani/Pedi
Massage
New Shoes/Handbags

I almost listed travel but decided THAT is a necessity

 

[Farro]

This really is so difficult. My Mother broke her hip mid March, also has memory issues, and none of us are able to go see her. She keeps asking me when I'm coming. Sigh.

It's the worst! We dropped off family photos and things like that. The nurses helped her face-time. We would call on the phone and park outside so she could see us from the window.

She came home two days ago, so she's much happier now. Although my poor Dad is stressed out of his mind!

 

[TLSnell1981]

This really is so difficult. My Mother broke her hip mid March, also has memory issues, and none of us are able to go see her. She keeps asking me when I'm coming. Sigh.

Some have decided not to socially distance from their family in this situation. We decided not to do so and I'm very happy with our choice. We have had a few losses during COVID including my father. Non died from the virus but other conditions. Can't imagine them spending their last days alone and without their loved ones. Grieving especially during COVID is difficult especially when funerals, hospital visits, etc are restricted or limited.

 

[lifesavacation]

Well I was not expecting this to be an exciting time period. Yesterday was supposed to be the day my wife and I retired, living off savings until we reached full Social Security Retirement age.. We expected the next 28 month to be very quiet because money would be tight. No big trips, no major expenses for that time frame. We would not be 65 yet and would have to budget to pay for private health insurance until we qualified for Medicare in 28 months. Our retirement plan for health care dates back 20 years, and was revised annually. THEN the Affordable Health Care Act came about. It does wonderful things for those who could not get health insurance before and those who qualify for subsidies. But it makes coverage for people on the private market VERY un-affordable. 20 years ago, private coverage was cheaper than using COBRA coverage. After AHCA private coverage premiums soared passed COBRA premiums. COBRA is only good for 18 months. It will cost $1,300 a month for the two of us for Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug coverage. Private insurance for just Medical and Prescription Coverage is now $3,300 a month. So we will wait to retire until we only have to buy 18 months of cheaper and more comprehensive COBRA coverage. And the $33,000 we are saving has been spent on a new car, so when we retired in 10 months our cars will be 1 year old and 3 years old.

But I am thankful for everyday that none of my family or co-workers come down with Covid-19. Everyday that I learn that nobody I know has gotten sick is exciting.

Having to put off retirement would be mentally tough for me. I’m sorry

 

[Snowysmom]

I am sorry to hear about family members being hospitalized. That is difficult for everyone in the best of circumstances. In the current time it is so stressful and sad. I am glad to hear some family members are home now. I hope everyone can find peace and healing for themselves and their loved ones.

I did want to mention that talking with a therapist is a good idea if needed. I finished therapy just before all this started as I tend towards anxiety and stress. I learned strategies to help me deal with certain issues. It has been so helpful for me. I also have gotten back into the outside world within the restrictions we have. I wear my mask to stores and restaurants, social distance, and wash my hands frequently. We get together with the kids and grandkids. Getting back to a little bit of normal has been so nice and mentally positive.

It must be tough to put off retirement that you have been planning for so long. But, flexibility is the key. It sounds like you have a good attitude about changing plans.

 

[NMBCFangirl]

Some have decided not to socially distance from their family in this situation. We decided not to do so and I'm very happy with our choice. We have had a few losses during COVID including my father. Non died from the virus but other conditions. Can't imagine them spending their last days alone and without their loved ones. Grieving especially during COVID is difficult especially when funerals, hospital visits, etc are restricted or limited.

Am glad that worked for you, but it would not for us. Only one of us lives within 1000 miles, and that sibling is immunocompromised. She has visited but has to stay outside and visit at the window.

 

[lifesavacation]

When COVID first hit, we saw it as temporary and were kinda just waiting to live life until it blew over. Now, we’ve accepted that this is our normal and are trying to do our best to live in the moment and not put enjoyable moments off until COVID ends. Who even knows when that will be.

We are visiting my MIL this week. She’s in her 80s and we haven’t seen her in months. She lives on an island in the Puget Sound and we’ll crab and maybe fish (not sure what’s open in her area) and enjoy everyone’s company for a few days. We’ve rented an RV since our family is out and about in the community. We’ll mask up if we are within 6 feet and not go inside her home. I’m looking forward to going and that’s not something I’ve ever said about visiting my MIL. It’s not Hawaii or Europe, but it sure beats sitting at home. DH still has 6 weeks of vacation to use up before the end of the year so I need to plan another trip, probably in an RV since that seems safest.

This is my mood today, though. Ask me how I’m feeling tomorrow and who knows if I’m as optimistic. It’s definitely an emotional rollercoaster lately.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

We'll see. People told me I was extrene for saying 100,000 people would die. We are now up to 140,000 and it hasn't even been a year.

I don’t want me or my family/friends to be infected by this virus, but if things are like this for more than a year or 2, at some point it’s time to just accept the risk and move on. I will not spend 4-5 years of my life at home avoiding people because that’s not life. Our society and economy will be shattered and we’ll all be way worse off if we let the virus rule us for that long.

 

[EveDallas]

I hear your sadness and frustration, but I think this [bolded] is harsh.

I think it's more than harsh. Severe hyperbole is the nicest phrase I can think of.