Finding a place to keep yourself safe during lockdown

Ahhhhh @Lise07 this is a tricky one to navigate in lockdown . Im wondering whether You can go on a little creative adventure.... Find somewhere to be and just imagine yourself in the library or cafe and really drink in the experience... the sights sounds atmosphere whilst you take yourself there in your mind.This can create another focus for your mind to engage in too momentarily.

Also curious as to when you are in the library or cafe what do you do ? get a coffee? read a book? look at the people?

Hi @Lise07 ,

I hope you're safe for tonight?

Lockdown sure does complicate things, and you're not alone in finding it to be a massive struggle to look after yourself when the very thing you need is what is unavailable.

I know you say helplines wouldn't work because you don't necessarily want to talk - what about if someone was to talk to you without you really needing to respond? I can imagine it is didfficult to even communicate in moments like this, so what if you called someone and just said 'I need to feel like I'm not alone, but I can't really talk right now. Can you just sit with me for a bit?' or even 'Can you tell me a story?'

Even if you do only get five minutes, you are still five minutes closer to your mind and body coming back down from your heightened emotional state. There are a bunch of different numbers to try, so even if the first one doesn't help, you can try the next:

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Crisis Chat

Suicide call back service: 1300 659 467 or online counselling

Samaritans: 135 247

If in immediate danger: 000

There are also non-crisis lines, which may be able to offer a bit more time and space for you - I know the SANE Help Centre would be a good option here. You could also connect to our chat service, and again just express you are having difficulty communicating but don't want to be alone. You could also try Friendline, have a look at the Big Feels Club, or this new one that has popped up in the wake of COVID called Crisis Heroes.

Even just jumping onto the forums and asking our members to come and sit with you virtually might make a difference - knowing you can come back every ten minutes or so and read through replies or others' stories.

You could also go to a public park or for a walk down a busy street where people are moving between places if you felt safe to do so. There's no law that says you aren't allowed to spend some time wandering up and down the aisles of your local grocery store if it means you feel safe - you may have to pretend to be perplexed by which cereal you would like to buy, but for a time you would be with others. If anyone pulled you up, you could say you're just people-watching I suppose... just throwing ideas around at this point.

Good on you for talking about this. I hope you find some strategies that help, and if you do we would love to hear about them

Take care of yourself

Thanks for the suggestions @Jynx and @BraveOne. I really do have difficulty choosing cereal so that wouldn't be a stretch I've also gotten through very intense feelings before by basically making up some fanfiction in my head, so I know I can do that too.

I like the idea of just listening to someone, and have heard of Friendline recently.

I guess when I feel like this it's not one huge emotion surge that passes, but more like a series of smaller ones that keep coming. So the appeal of a public space is just knowing that there are people around, so my gremlin brain has less chance of a successful hijack.

Ahhhh @Lise07 I love this realisation emerging. Fanfiction may be the way to go...... sounds like this has conquered the gremlin before. or You could try the joy of reading every cereal box then moving through the whole supermarket... choose a category ....could be informative and fun whilst the emotional waves pass. the guts of it all being a refocus on something else You got this!

I am totally safe locked up here in my apartment, in total isolation: no work, no partner, no family, no friends, no relatives.....physically safe BUT not mentally safe all alone.

Hi @Owen45,

I'm sorry to hear that you're having such a difficult time right now. Isolation is very difficult, I know I'm struggling with it myself.

It's great that you've reached out for support on the forums, its a great first step to take. I want to let you know that we also have counselling support team available from 10am to 10pm AEST. I'd encourage you to call them on 1800 187 263.

Are there other people you can connect with such as family or friends? I understand that communication over the phone isn't ideal but it could be helpful to connect with loved ones during this time. I'm sure some community members will come by shortly and offer some support as well. You're certainly not the only person feeling like this due to isolation.

Take care, CalmingNature

Thanks CalmingNature, I really appreciate your caring reply. Talk again soon.

Hello @Owen45 @Lise07 @seven1164 @Historylover so many of us are alone in lockdown. Just wanted to share greetings and commiserate. I don't have many strategies either but my secret weapon is my cat. He doesn't talk much but needs regular attention and care.

Good luck and please share how you're feeling and coping.

Dimity

Hello @Dimity - just pottering about here. I may go for a walk later, but in the meantime I'm still trying to bring about some order to my living environment. Feeling good and hope you are too. I can always find something to do - or not do. Take care.

Thanks for sharing, I love cats, they are so therapeutic for mental health issues. Wish I could

have a cat in my apartment.