HistoryloverSenior Contributor
Just checking back in for a bit....
Hello everyone. I haven't been here for a while so I thought I'd just let you know, out of interest sake, how I am getting along.
Well, it has been rather grim to be honest. I swing from feeling good then, realizing again the mess of my life with no end in sight, I spiral back into despair. Back and fro. Sleepless nights etc. But I've done my best to keep going - one step at a time, one foot in front of the other.
I mentioned last year that my ex-psychiatrist instilled in me a deep passion for education. (Education! Education! Education!) I only had a year 10 education as it didn't have the same value when and where I grew up. However when he introduced me to Medicine, Psychiatry, Human Behaviour, Sociology - I was enthralled. I would not have thought I could ever have aspired to learn about such complicated subjects - but it all starts at the beginning. One step at a time. And looking back, I see how far I have come. My appetite for learning has never waned.
Just to be clear - no university learning is involved. For the most part I am self-taught, and learn from watching others who are expert in their fields and have a deep passion for it. Youtube is a wealth of knowledge - just waiting to be tapped into.
Last year I enrolled at U3A but it soon went into lockdown. Some classes continued with Zoom - but while it's better than nothing, I don't like it much. So I was looking forward to re-starting again this year.
I enrolled in Geology; Science Discussion Class - which unfortunately was cancelled due to insufficient numbers; Vaccines, Immunity and Covid 19; Understanding Weather; German Grammar and also German Conversation.
I'm not going to pretend that it has been easy for me - not the learning bit, but the interactions with all the different personalities I have encountered. If you recall, I have been living in complete isolation for twenty years so it has all been rather a trial. I have been going to quit the whole thing every second day, but it seems to be the only place I am finding myself. I have learned so much in just the first few months of this year, and interacting with others to this extent is enriching when we all find our common ground and work together as a team.
This morning I was feeling dreadful, again wondering if life was all getting to be more than I could manage - then I had my afternoon class and all is bright and bubbly again. I am in my element there. I just love it.
What I am trying to say, for those with difficulties aligned with mine, is never rest on your laurels - always try something new, extend yourself beyond what you think yourself capable. Life is so much more interesting - and so are we.
Also, when things seem that they will envelop you - just keep going. Find your support wherever it presents. And good luck with everything you try.
at the same time sorry to hear of your mental health not being at its best however you are still leaarning and not letting it stop you from learning what your interested in,you sound motivated well done
