How close are you to your breaking point?

[mi*vida*loca]

I work at a hospital. I’m exposed everyday. I’m glad I still get to go to work. I would rather be at work than stuck in the house every single day. I’m thankful to have a job and a reason to leave the house.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I’m fine, nowhere near a breaking point. Due to the timing of winter, late-pregnancy exhaustion, new baby, and now quarantine, I haven’t been anywhere except for doctors appointments and a hospital stay since about December 28th. I’ve essentially been living the quarantine lifestyle for the past four months. My husband and son’s last trip into a retail establishment was March 1st. We continue to do most of our shopping online as we always have. We used to get about 90% of our groceries delivered, now it’s up to 100%. If an item isn’t available for delivery then we’ll do without. (That decision was made even before learning two employees at our local Publix tested positive.) We’ve done four curbside pickups in the past two months for other goods that don’t have delivery options. (Fine, you got me, it’s booze! And one very large fish tank that we needed for our move.) Found out the pharmacy has a courier option so I’ve started using that to get my cat’s meds delivered instead of going to pick it up. Also learned that the post office will eventually deliver your packages if you just abandon them, so now we don’t have to go out to pick those up either. The benefit of quarantine has been discovering new ways to eliminate the need to run errands.

Our new house is a mile from our apartment and going back and forth between the two has helped us feel like we’re getting out and about. Plus, everything that moving entails is keeping us busy.

The only part of this that really bums me out is that my 3 year old can’t go to playgrounds or interact with other children. The Mom Guilt is strong in that regard, but not as strong as it would be if he contracted this virus and became seriously ill or transmitted it to someone else in the family who became seriously ill or died. So, it is what it is. I’ve accepted that this is going to be our new normal for quite a while and that’s okay. If things go well and it turns out that we can get together with others for the holidays or the grandparents can meet the new baby before the end of the year, then I’ll consider that a nice surprise. Otherwise, I’m just going to keep perspective and remain thankful that we’re not struggling with job loss or financial strain, and currently all my friends and family are healthy.

 

[mnrose]

Not anywhere close to a breaking point. Honestly, I could keep this up indefinitely. Seriously. I find new and enjoyable things to do every day. I'm cooking interesting things. I'm taking a long walk (4.5 to 6 miles everyday). I do some yoga for stress relief. I'm facetiming and zooming with friends. I do not see an issue. I know that makes me a "rare bird" (maybe?), but since I'm always a "glass 1/2 full" kind of person, and I describe myself as "relentlessly positive," I just don't let whatever TEMPORARY thing is going on in the world get me down. As I think I may have mentioned before, when I was pregnant, I was on bedrest for 19 weeks...one of two places....either in my living room OR (for 53 days) in a hospital room, where I was not allowed out of bed for any reason whatsoever. So far, i'm not quite 6 weeks into this "confinement" which allows me to watch whatever I want from one of three streaming services, my internet works fine, I get to eat whatever I want, I get to take an actual shower everyday, I get to go for walks. This.is.not.hard. Being flat on my back for 19 weeks in the same room ... that was a little bit trying. It's all about perspective. If you think you're "deprived", that's exactly how you are going to feel. If you think you are BLESSED, then that is how you will feel. I'm incredibly blessed.

 

[disykat]

I would love to be stuck in my house instead of daily exposure. You think your reaching a breaking point because you can’t run errands.

I think we all realize your job is WAAAAY worse than ours right now. Thank you for your service!! That doesn't mean that staying home and never leaving our homes is without it's own difficulties that come to the surface at some point. Same storm, extremely different boats, but still in a storm.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

It's not the lack of activities that is getting to me, we really don't do much normally.

It is the day after day after day of uncertainty.

I agree with this. A friend of mine said she feels like she has been waiting for the big hurricane to land. She did all of her prepping and now the wait is just getting to be too much.

I've been saying since January that I felt like this was watching a slow motion tidal wave approach. I'm still not sure if it's here. 98% of the time I feel pretty good. I can come up with a whole laundry list of things I'm thankful for, and we are enjoying more as a family than we often do. I'm looking forward to backyard camping as the weather improves.

It's the unknown that gets to me. How long will this last? Do antibodies confer immunity? What happens this fall and this winter? Will the kids go back to school in August? What are they doing to insure their safety? Could I even justify a single day trip to the beach where we wouldn't interact with anyone? Work is fine now; what about in 6 months? When will there be a vaccine? When can we visit our parents again? Would it be safe to get takeout? Not to mention the concern I have for all the medical workers, grocery workers, and those now unemployed. (It's almost better for me to focus on my more trivial concerns than to think about the bigger picture, as then I will get too upset).

I think key for me is keeping some sort of schedule, and making sure I get in exercise and outdoor time. And trying to keep focus on only the next few days.

 

[ronandannette]

I have been home since March 9th. Am I close to breaking? Not really, I guess. I am still working from home - work has been busy as we have had to furlough some and negotiate paycuts with everyone who remains, which is depressing, considering we were on track to have one of our best years. (I am in a leadership position and see numbers, so this is not second hand information).

I get along well with my husband, we have plenty of space and really no financial worries, so we are fortunate.

However, not being able to see our mothers or other family members or knowing when we can get back to any type of normalcy is stressful. We have been eating 100% at home - not even takeout. At one point, after picking my husband up from Italy on March 9th, I did not leave the house at all for 18 days. I did not meet him in Italy as planned. Yes, even though I can work from home, I miss the freedom to go to the office, get a haircut or a pedicure, browse for groceries, go to the mall. For the record, I live in GA and I guess I can do those two things - but now is definitely not the time, in my opinion. First world problems, I know. But as each week goes on I realistically know that it will be harder and harder to emerge from this. We had plans to transition into the next stage of our life - that is on hold probably. That is a lot to digest.

I also turned 50 on April 18th - never would have imagined it would have been under the current situation.

So, I am thankful and fairly miserable simultaneously.

ETA: I am an introvert. Interacting at work and with my few close friends takes a lot of my energy - but I am at the point of wanting some normal social interaction.

Belated Happy Birthday. Your situation is pretty similar to mine and I understand.

Tomorrow will not be fun for me. I'm announcing pay-cuts to my staff (yes, I'm taking one also and await a briefing from H/O first thing to tell us all how much). This is at a point when we're already splitting what were 8 full-time jobs between 4 of us in the department due to lay-offs at the end of March. {{sigh}}

One thing I will say is those of us who are still going out to work have a totally different perception of isolation than those who do not. After 14 days of strict lock-down in mid-March (we had been away on vacation), just this measure of normalcy makes it a completely different ball game.

I am retired and widowed (almost 12 years). So, I am alone 100% of the time. I haven’t been inside anywhere for over six weeks. I do a Kroger pickup once a week and I have done a few curbside carry outs. It’s boring and isolating for sure. But, I remind myself almost every day that when my late husband was dying of pancreatic cancer, I used to pray for a boring day. All I wanted was one day without sadness, worry, hospitals, etc. Of course, I knew there was only one way I would have a boring day. It was a devastating time.

So, now, because of COVID-19, I am bored every day, but, my son (an ER nurse practitioner) is healthy, I’m fine and my friends and family are fine. Of course, that could change any day. But, for now, I am just going to embrace the boredom. This too shall pass.

Grace and peace to you. I have a couple of dear lady-friends that are in your situation and my heart aches for how small their worlds have gotten.

Well, when your area opens back up, the choice is yours. I hope it works out. We all do. No one who is worried about this wants to be right. We all want to be wrong.

I certainly agree with this. When restrictions lift, it will not be wrong in any way for people to resume whatever activities are permitted. I am in favor of compliance and have done so without complaint, in the interest of my community. (Our restrictions have just officially been extended until August 31.) When I am permitted by the authorities to get back out and around I will greatly resent anyone who suggests doing so is irresponsible.

We've been in medical isolation since late December due to my son's illness. I haven't been to a restaurant, movie theater, etc. for four months, and guess what, the sky didn't fall. Truth is none of that superficial stuff matters. I know my family is lucky to have income and a safe, comfortable home. For that, I am eternally thankful. I have the two people who matter most to me here in this house. I could stay this way 'til the cows come home.

That's a good perspective for all of us, when it's all boiled down. I wish you well.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I've been saying since January that I felt like this was watching a slow motion tidal wave approach. I'm still not sure if it's here. 98% of the time I feel pretty good. I can come up with a whole laundry list of things I'm thankful for, and we are enjoying more as a family than we often do. I'm looking forward to backyard camping as the weather improves.

It's the unknown that gets to me. How long will this last? Do antibodies confer immunity? What happens this fall and this winter? Will the kids go back to school in August? What are they doing to insure their safety? Could I even justify a single day trip to the beach where we wouldn't interact with anyone? Work is fine now; what about in 6 months? When will there be a vaccine? When can we visit our parents again? Would it be safe to get takeout? Not to mention the concern I have for all the medical workers, grocery workers, and those now unemployed. (It's almost better for me to focus on my more trivial concerns than to think about the bigger picture, as then I will get too upset).

I think key for me is keeping some sort of schedule, and making sure I get in exercise and outdoor time. And trying to keep focus on only the next few days.

I get it. 100%.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I’m surprised at how many anti social people enjoy Disney so much. I don’t say that to be a smart *** either. It’s just surprising. I work with a lot of people who aren’t social at all and really aren’t “people persons” and they all despise Disney or any places that have lots of people. I would think if you don’t like socializing and would rather stay home than be around people that you would hate Disney or any type of theme park or places with large groups of people.

 

[cobright]

...How about you?

I know I am getting close to breaking. I might be able to make it to mid or late May but no way I will mentally make it until June living like this.

I live in a 900 sq ft house with my wife, two teenagers, and an immunocompromised family friend. It's starting to feel really close in here. We converted my downstairs workshop into a 4th bedroom and as a result, my wife's closet has become my computer room.

Thankfully, we're all capable of going days at a time without seeing or talking to each other anyway but even so we've been stepping on each other lately. I've been finding more and more reasons to spend time in my garage machine shop. Not that I have any paying work, it's still nice to spend some time creating something. Today it was a set of doll sized steampunk goggles for a kid from my folks' church. Her grandmother died from the virus and her mother's in the ICU with it.
Sorta like this one...


Not my first doll-goggles. There's, oddly, some demand for steampunk doll accessories.

Some days I'll just chuck up some wood on the lathe and carve on it till it's gone. Crazy wasteful but at least wearing the respirator feels normal for an hour or so.

I don't think I'll hit a breaking point, but I'm bending towards something less sane already.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I'm fine, now that I'm recovering I'm back to the craft project I was working on and I've got the supplies for another few projects after this one. My usual life isn't too much different from this new reality.

My sister is suffering though, and is close to her breaking point. She's doing a lot of crying, can't sleep, and is tired of everything that there is for her to do. I should add that she had shoulder surgery in February and is still dealing with that as well. She was supposed to go back to work (from home) on May 5, but they told her she's been furloughed.

 

[Boardwalk Jedi]

I am a first responder, we just lost our 2nd person. At least 59 more fighting Covid. My DH is also essential he is feeding people through the Foodbank. Thank
You for you service

I would love to be stuck in my house instead of daily exposure. You think your reaching a breaking point because you can’t run errands.

That's where I am too. But more important....I'm so sorry for your losses. Prayers to your community, co-workers, and family. Stay safe and Thank YOU.

 

[SamFaniam]

I’m surprised at how many anti social people enjoy Disney so much. I don’t say that to be a smart *** either. It’s just surprising. I work with a lot of people who aren’t social at all and really aren’t “people persons” and they all despise Disney or any places that have lots of people. I would think if you don’t like socializing and would rather stay home than be around people that you would hate Disney or any type of theme park or places with large groups of people.

it’s true that there are a lot of people at Disney, but you don’t necessarily have to interact with any of them. And you can enjoy the rides and the attractions and the atmosphere Without ever speaking to anyone, if you want to.

 

[wildride]

I think we all realize your job is WAAAAY worse than ours right now. Thank you for your service!! That doesn't mean that staying home and never leaving our homes is without it's own difficulties that come to the surface at some point. Same storm, extremely different boats, but still in a storm.

Not even close!!! You have a choice I & other doctors, nurses, emts, Leo do not have the luck of your choice You get to stay home with family. Do actually realize most of us are sleeping far away from family so we don’t infect them so poor you for being safe.
How many are your colleagues are on respirators? How many are in protocols? You have to stay in your couch omg!!!!
You won’t die from watching Netflix.

 

[RamblingMad]

Being stuck at home sucks. But we're in this together. In GI Joe speak:

 

[mi*vida*loca]

it’s true that there are a lot of people at Disney, but you don’t necessarily have to interact with any of them. And you can enjoy the rides and the attractions and the atmosphere Without ever speaking to anyone, if you want to.

It’s still surprising to me.

One girl that I work with is very anti social. There are some days I don’t know how she even survives at work. Every time I mention Disney she cringes.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Not even close!!! You have a choice I & other doctors, nurses, emts, Leo do not have the luck of your choice You get to stay home with family. Do actually realize most of us are sleeping far away from family so we don’t infect them so poor you for being safe.
How many are your colleagues are on respirators? How many are in protocols? You have to stay in your couch omg!!!!
You won’t die from watching Netflix.

 

[DebbieB]

Tomorrow starts week 7, I know I am lucky I can work at home but it is getting old. I live alone so miss seeing the people at work, I miss going out to dinner with friends on weekends. The only place I go is the grocery store and an occasional takeout. I got out for walks on the weekend with my neighbour. I got gas on March 15, reset my trip odometer and I just went over 60 miles! Last week was rough, would have been at WDW, each day I would think of what we had planned. I'm not going to complain, I know I'm lucky to have a job and be healthy.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I’m surprised at how many anti social people enjoy Disney so much. I don’t say that to be a smart *** either. It’s just surprising. I work with a lot of people who aren’t social at all and really aren’t “people persons” and they all despise Disney or any places that have lots of people. I would think if you don’t like socializing and would rather stay home than be around people that you would hate Disney or any type of theme park or places with large groups of people.

I’m not antisocial. I just spent many years going out, partying, being a social butterfly and no longer have that kind of energy. I’d rather be home with my husband and kid now. We have the occasional small gathering for football games. That’s as much as I can deal with now.

When I’m at Disney I chat with CMs and other guests, but that is small talk and you never see them again. No pressure.

 

[ronandannette]

Not even close!!! You have a choice I & other doctors, nurses, emts, Leo do not have the luck of your choice You get to stay home with family. Do actually realize most of us are sleeping far away from family so we don’t infect them so poor you for being safe.
How many are your colleagues are on respirators? How many are in protocols? You have to stay in your couch omg!!!!
You won’t die from watching Netflix.

We get that you're frightened, exhausted and grieving and we feel for you and all others in your position. It's been said before and I'll say it again - thank you for your service. You are certainly entitled to vent but other people "feeling their feelings" doesn't minimize your situation.

 

[Carol_]

Georgia

*booking flight to GA*