So how's everyone doing?

[AdamsMum]

Today is Bell Let's Talk Day. Clearly covid dominates conversations everywhere, from anxiety about getting covid to anxiety about getting vaccinated or getting an appointment to get vaccinated. Add to that partial shutdowns, and (in Southern Ontario) the recent unusual snow event.
For myself, I just retired in November. My son got a big raise in October and move out of my place. He's 27 and had returned from working in the states in the middle of July 2020. It took him about 7 months to find employment. I'd been enjoying him being at home with me, then he got a big raise and as young adults do, he left the nest. I'm so happy for him getting back on track. Now I see him frequently but it isn't the same as living with someone in your home.
I did travel to WDW in December and I mostly enjoyed my trip. Crowds were stress inducing for me, but I took my control and left a few situations that I was uncomfortable with. Then there was anxiety about getting the test to return home by air. Everything went well for me in that respect.
My main form of exercise is walking and I can deal with the cold temperatures (big coat, layers). Then real winter came and now most of the sidewalks in my neighbourhood are near impassable. Yesterday I had to actually hold onto a lamp post twice to pass a difficult area. Needless to say, the walk isnt really aerobic these days but I still feel better when I can get out and do something.
Winter is always difficult for me though. I'm soldiering through, journalling, exercising as best I can and calling a friend every day.
How about you?

Edited to correct soldering to soldiering. LOL

 

[pigletto]

I literally just opened this forum wanting to ”talk” to someone today. I didn’t know it was Bell “Let’s Talk” day but I’m so glad you started this post !! I’m glad to hear your son is launched and doing well again. It’s hard any time they leave though isn’t it? I totally hear you on the walk, it’s such an important part of my mental health routine as well. We take the dogs out for a brief jaunt lately but it’s been too cold for a really good walk.

As for me, I’m doing ok. I was very very down for a few months and was really looking to our January trip to Florida as a bright spot. Obviously we cancelled that 12 days before we were to leave. That was disappointing. I have rebooked for May and I feel if there is any reasonable way to go that we will be going. I need that goal.

I think the last two years have just been hard for us all in one way or another. I feel like everyone I talk to is either angry or sad or exhausted. I did call my doctor to talk about counselling options as my anxiety was getting out of control and I wasn’t sleeping well… the waiting list for covered services was 8 months. So that’s a pretty good indication that we are all struggling one way or another. I feel weird sharing that , but I shouldn’t. I‘ll leave that in there so anyone else who is reading and is struggling right now knows they aren’t alone. I’ve got a great support system and I will be ok, but winter is dragging and I’m having to try very hard to stay positive sometimes. I think we all are.

Thank you for the check in ! Ok next poster … how are you?

 

[bababear_50]

Goodmorning Sunshines!
It's great to hear from all of you!
I have one still at home and while I'd like him to fly the nest I'm ok with him being here for now.
Oh boy retirement....one day I'm up about it and one day I am having second thoughts,, well 5 months to organize those thoughts.
The main plan for retirement was travel... not so sure how that is going to play out with Covid around.
I am struggling with my dancing and rebounding routine ,,,,I need to motivate myself ,,but travel was my usual way to do that.
The good news is the Groundhog should be here soon.
Enjoy the fresh air hon but be super careful on the snow and ice.

Hugs to you
Mel

 

[damo]

I'm good! I've got 3 grandkids and I split my time between them since we live within 5 minutes of each other. The oldest is 4 and in JK and the two littles are under 2 so I am BUSY!!!! I know that without them I wouldn't be doing as well.

Starting next week, my daughter starts back working so I will be doing daycare for the one little and starting in March, I will be shuffling doing daycare for the two littles.

Truly, I am so lucky!!!

 

[bababear_50]

Ok
Nothing like Elton John to get me moving this morning
LOL
Hugs Mel

 

[SaraMc]

I have aniexty and depression and I find the winter the hardest sometimes. So far, I’ve been ok this year. I’m super bummed about all the changes again and cancelling our trip. Again. We booked universal for May. I find for me anchoring myself to something coming helps.

 

[pigletto]

I have aniexty and depression and I find the winter the hardest sometimes. So far, I’ve been ok this year. I’m super bummed about all the changes again and cancelling our trip. Again. We booked universal for May. I find for me anchoring myself to something coming helps.

Yes !! It’s so much more than a “trip”. Some days it’s the bright spot that keeps me pushing through. Fingers crossed for both of us for May !

 

[RogueX]

Eh, I'm cranky. But as long as I can laugh, things aren't that bad. I'm in the early evaluation phase for bariatric surgery, which means I've had to change my eating habits drastically. Too bad cookies, cakes and candy aren't considered essential nutrients. Atleast I've discovered the Supernatural app on Occulus gives me a good workout and I've only nearly knocked myself in the face during the boxing once.

 

[2Lunds]

I'm suffering from a major case of Groundhog Day. I work from home in a tiny condo, every day feels the same, and the only way I really know what day it is, is by whether my husband leaves in the morning or not Last weekend he went to get Starbucks first thing in the morning, I assumed it was a weekday - got dressed and called my boss to check in We also canceled our early Feb trip, re-booking for the third time, for May.

I'm rationalizing with myself that we both make a good living, we're being cautious, and we will be able to travel again at the other end of this. There are many people in the world who will never have the financial means to travel, so I'm trying to view this as an inconvenience. I really struggled financially until my late 30s - so I just try to count my blessings that I've even been fortunate enough to experience some of the fun things that I have.

Without getting explicitly political and having our thread shut down, I'm really sad/worried about a lot of the rhetoric being covered on social media and the news right now as well.

We bought an exercise bike after Christmas, and it's been very helpful. Just 30 mins on the bike, watching some YouTube videos really breaks up my day. Oh - no more Disney content though, I can't bear to watch I've even muted some of my favourite content creators on Twitter etc... because it feels like life is back to normal to the south, and the dissonance between that and how life is here is dizzying.

 

[Donald - my hero]

Ok, I was planning on starting a thread myself once i got home from my treatment in Brampton -- i'll add info about that in my copied post from last year. I've been heading in and out of Brampton regularly and while it's not the same protocol that LITERALLY gave me my life back 8 years ago it has saved me once again. I purchased a SAD light late last year and spend 15 minutes on the "beach" every morning (fine balance for someone with Bipolar to tweak the proper amount of time so as to not trigger a manic switch!)

For those who are looking for immediate help and running into long waiting lines and/or struggling with the sensation that asking for help is somehow weak or a signal of defeat be sure to look into all of the new online options that have sprung up over the past 2 years. Both Shopper's and Rexall offer connections to therapist thru their apps and they are free for most people. I'll try to dig up some direct links later today but I'm currently wading thru the swampy waters of funeral preparations for my dad. This is a rough time for everyone, please be kind to yourselves and one another.

Here's what I posted on Facebook this morning
I want to let others who deal with a mental illness know that it's ok to not be ok. If you've heard or read that we are "lucky" because we already have the tools and skills to deal with the stress, depression & anxiety that COVID-19 has caused I want you to challenge those words. Look past the shadows and turn down the noise that the past 2 years have created and acknowledge that we entered this race behind the pack. Don't believe that voice in your head that's telling you everyone is struggling. We have a baseline that is different from others and to ignore that fact is unreasonable. Reach out for help if you need it, it's not a sign of weakness, asking for help takes an incredible amount of strength!
For those of you who are struggling with new-found mental illness that living through a worldwide pandemic has created, whatever form that takes, know that it's ok to ask for help, to reach out to someone to talk or to simply step back and rest. Let's do this together, listen to each other, care for one another and have compassion for a world that's struggling.


Here's what I posted last year for Bell Let's Talk Day:
I know this initiative is surrounded by controversy every year with people saying that it is a hollow attempt by a company to single out one day as having a significant impact on the mental health of Canadians. I'd like to offer first-hand experience of what happened with $420,000 that was generated from Bell Let's Talk Day to provide life changing treatment for thousands of patients, including myself. I have Type 2 Bipolar Disorder and deal with treatment resistant depression because I suffer from paradoxical reactions to medications and deal with debilitating side effects that have left me with no prescription based options to treat my mental illness. 7 years ago we stumbled across a clinic in Toronto Western Hospital that offered rTMS, safe, non-invasive treatments that use a magnetic field to stimulate nerve cells in the brain that are involved in controlling emotions. My last treatment was on February 14th, 2020 before the clinic was closed due to COVID-19. While searching for options to continue my care I stumbled across a press release from January 27th, 2020, announcing that Bell Let's Talk had donated the money to William Osler Health System to open a rTMS clinic in Brampton Civic Hospital. Although we're out of their catchment area they've agreed to offer me treatments once I feel comfortable that the Covid-19 restrictions that are currently in place will allow me to safely travel in and out of Peel region, a "hot spot" in our province.
Another rTMS clinic was funded in Montreal in 2018, and on January 7th, 2021 they announced funding for another rTMS clinic in Halifax. So while there is merit to some of the complaints that this "single day" offers only lip service, please hear me when i say THANK YOU for all the shares and views of the videos, tweets, texts, calls, TicTok videos, Facebook Frames & snap chat filters that you use because every single nickel those generate really DO add up and create opportunities for concrete mental health care.

 

[hdrolfe]

Winter is not my friend. I don't do well in the best of times during winter (that whole SAD thing) and eventually start to get stir crazy. I was hopeful, and had March break planned but of course cancelled it all, moving out to May (it looks like a lot of us are going to be travelling in May!). I am really looking forward to it, have excursions booked, thinking of the drink package (we never do that) and maybe lunch or dinner at the steakhouse on the ship. I am so grateful we were able to go to Disney in October but it feels like we never went, it was such a quick blur. I want to be able to take the time to enjoy a trip but am also worried about catching something and having it turn into an extra long trip.

Kiddo hasn't been keen on school, I call it a win if he goes twice in a week... he is complaining it's too cold, too boring, can't really play with his friends. I mean I don't want to go out in this either but he needs to be more active and he certainly doesn't do that staying home. Hopefully things will stabilize soon and we'll be able to get back on track. I have not been moving much and it's taking a toll. I feel tired and blah, which makes me want to sit and watch TV, which leads to feeling more blah. I have started ordering meal boxes again though (currently Chef's Plate and Hello Fresh in a rotation based on discounts), at least then I cook proper meals instead of ordering all the time. Inspiration, it also allows me to try some new meals (though I always have to keep one serving quite plain for kiddo). I've been trying to declutter and clean up stuff as well but it's so hard to find the motivation. I've done some work but there is so much more to do, we have a lot of stuff that should get out of this house. I think I could sell it but that also feels like "work".

Work has been crazy busy, I am so grateful that I can work from home and that I have a stable job but it's just a lot sometimes. Then, I am glad my son is here, at least we have each other to talk to, but he's 12 so the conversations are a little limited at times I think the latest round of shut downs has taken a toll, everything was feeling hopeful and then very much not. We normally would visit my parents, less so in winter because I don't like driving much in snow, but now it feels like the option has been removed entirely. I do know it will get better again, and restrictions will start to lift again, but my outlet is travel and that is so hard to plan now! Everything I have planned feels like it could be cancelled at any moment. My birthday is coming up soon, and that's around when I usually feel a burst of energy towards exercise and such. I hope the same will hold true this year. But for now, I'd like to be able to take a nap and wake up in spring

 

[2Lunds]

Here's what I posted last year for Bell Let's Talk Day:
I know this initiative is surrounded by controversy every year with people saying that it is a hollow attempt by a company to single out one day as having a significant impact on the mental health of Canadians. I'd like to offer first-hand experience of what happened with $420,000 that was generated from Bell Let's Talk Day to provide life changing treatment for thousands of patients, including myself. I have Type 2 Bipolar Disorder and deal with treatment resistant depression because I suffer from paradoxical reactions to medications and deal with debilitating side effects that have left me with no prescription based options to treat my mental illness. 7 years ago we stumbled across a clinic in Toronto Western Hospital that offered rTMS, safe, non-invasive treatments that use a magnetic field to stimulate nerve cells in the brain that are involved in controlling emotions. My last treatment was on February 14th, 2020 before the clinic was closed due to COVID-19. While searching for options to continue my care I stumbled across a press release from January 27th, 2020, announcing that Bell Let's Talk had donated the money to William Osler Health System to open a rTMS clinic in Brampton Civic Hospital. Although we're out of their catchment area they've agreed to offer me treatments once I feel comfortable that the Covid-19 restrictions that are currently in place will allow me to safely travel in and out of Peel region, a "hot spot" in our province.
Another rTMS clinic was funded in Montreal in 2018, and on January 7th, 2021 they announced funding for another rTMS clinic in Halifax. So while there is merit to some of the complaints that this "single day" offers only lip service, please hear me when i say THANK YOU for all the shares and views of the videos, tweets, texts, calls, TicTok videos, Facebook Frames & snap chat filters that you use because every single nickel those generate really DO add up and create opportunities for concrete mental health care.

That's amazing - thanks so much for posting that here. I think it's really unfortunate that our health care system is forced to rely on corporate philanthropy to fund these kinds of programs - but it's a reality and it makes me so happy to hear that progressive organizations/treatment protocols are being supported

 

[jcourtney]

I'm suffering from a major case of Groundhog Day. I work from home in a tiny condo, every day feels the same, and the only way I really know what day it is, is by whether my husband leaves in the morning or not Last weekend he went to get Starbucks first thing in the morning, I assumed it was a weekday - got dressed and called my boss to check in We also canceled our early Feb trip, re-booking for the third time, for May.

I'm rationalizing with myself that we both make a good living, we're being cautious, and we will be able to travel again at the other end of this. There are many people in the world who will never have the financial means to travel, so I'm trying to view this as an inconvenience. I really struggled financially until my late 30s - so I just try to count my blessings that I've even been fortunate enough to experience some of the fun things that I have.

Without getting explicitly political and having our thread shut down, I'm really sad/worried about a lot of the rhetoric being covered on social media and the news right now as well.

We bought an exercise bike after Christmas, and it's been very helpful. Just 30 mins on the bike, watching some YouTube videos really breaks up my day. Oh - no more Disney content though, I can't bear to watch I've even muted some of my favourite content creators on Twitter etc... because it feels like life is back to normal to the south, and the dissonance between that and how life is here is dizzying.

I feel like I could have written this myself! Especially the last part. I had to unfollow a bunch of my favorite Disney content because it's depressing.

 

[AdamsMum]

That's amazing - thanks so much for posting that here. I think it's really unfortunate that our health care system is forced to rely on corporate philanthropy to fund these kinds of programs - but it's a reality and it makes me so happy to hear that progressive organizations/treatment protocols are being supported

I so agree with you. I think aside from the wonderful programs supported by this initiative. It reminds us to talk about how we are. I'm grateful I don't suffer from major mental illness, I have friends who do. I sometimes just need to acknowledge my feelings so I can move forward. Thanks to all of you for responding. Hugs

 

[2Lunds]

I feel like I could have written this myself! Especially the last part. I had to unfollow a bunch of my favorite Disney content because it's depressing.

The only one I'm still watching is AllEars because Molly actually lives in FL

 

[ottawamom]

I am grateful that today is a lovely sunny day. It's so much easier to get things done when the sun is shining. The only thing keeping me going these days is the puppy coming sometime this year. That's my one happy down the road event I focus on. I don't dare to book another holiday until I'm sure I can take it.

I try to stay busy with crafts and other creative endeavours. I try my best to get out for a walk a couple of times a day. On days when I complain about it DH comes with me. Yes it's cold but I layer up and I'm glad I did it when I get home. Really cold mornings like today, I walk on the treadmill in the basement. That's the one positive thing I have accomplished during Covid, I have become more active. Nothing else to do.

Spring is just around the corner everyone. We will see then end of this.

 

[pigletto]

The only one I'm still watching is AllEars because Molly actually lives in FL

I love her ! She’s so laid back and real. I really enjoy the content she puts out

 

[Pumpkin1172]

Great thread!!!

I struggle like many others with depression - especially during the winter months. It is something that everyone in our family struggles with. Some years are better than others, but I will say that the last 2 have been especially hard. We all communicate and check with each other often, as things can do downhill very fast. A sad light helps to a small degree. We have very short days in northern Alberta in Dec and Jan. I much prefer our long days of summer where it's light out until at least 11pm and never have to turn on lights in our house.
I have found that staying busy with sewing/quilting helps - but with covid there are not classes to go to - which was a big part of my quilting. I truly miss them. It is just not the same trying to learn a new technique or complete a quilt without getting tips and tricks from others.

In all honesty, it's been an extremely difficult 2 yrs. With not much socialization with other close family members and being able to actually get psychiatric care, it has been a VERY LONG two years. Our family has had huge struggles through all of this. All we can do is focus on today.

The only bright thing that has gotten me through the past winter was our upcoming Florida trip in February. We had been planning for years to have a celebratory trip this year, and hopefully after tonight when we get to chat with WJ about flights we will be forging ahead and go. That is the only thing that is holding us back is flights. The 10 days in Florida will help me to tolerate the rest of winter - since we don't truly get spring here until Mid April/May. That is still far away. It is not uncommon for mother nature to unleash one last snowstorm late April

I absolutely hate ( insert the grinch stating that he " hate, hates, hate, LOATHES ) the cold...and the 3 + weeks we had of cold -40 weather had me in a pretty big slump. It has gotten better with a few sunny days in a row now, My body craves that true bright sunlight. I can't even explain how much better I feel once I get a few days of bright sunlight.

I hope that those who are struggling are able to find the help that they need. I am lucky that I have family, that we watch eachother and when we notice, we all step in and help. Many don't have that.

 

[mommasita]

Hi there , I struggled with responding, but here goes.
First off, to everyone struggling with any type of depression, be it large or small, if you ever find yourself in a place where you feel you need to seek help, please seek it. This is the Canadian suicide Prevention line 833-456-4566, any language, 24/7. if you need to, call 911.
It hurts the heart to read about so many hurting right now, but I’m glad to read those who have, and are in the process of receiving help.
I lost my daughter to suicide in October 2017. It’s still hard to even type it, she will be forever 18. My son, my raison d’être will be 26 in March, still at home, and that is Fine with us. He took a path that shocked us after his sister, and went into medicine, so it was late, he is in for a few more years, but he is the best person I know. I’m very proud of him!
We did go to Florida (minus my son) over Xmas and New Years. We do not celebrate anymore, and it is seems to be the only way to get through the holidays. We did not last year, and I’m not sure how we did it.
I am an emergency response dispatcher, and have my moments at work, which is WFH now. It is starting to slow down, but the past month was insanity. My husband works for himself in renovations, he was hospitalized with Covid in the first wave, still giving me PTSD, well I have PTSD from a few things.
I also love to walk, but I despise this weather and just can’t do It.
We are discussing going back to Florida in March or April

 

[mommasita]

I also don’t want to be a thread killer, ..