Isolation: How Do We Handle it?

In response to Sue, Volunteer Mentor: For some of us, there has been almost no change. We live on acreage, near a very small town. My husband really doesn't like having people visit, so I seldom invite someone to do so, and he hates to go any where. We usually attend monthly meetings of the local fly fishing club, which isn't happening now, but that's the only big difference. Although we're pretty isolated, lots of people walk our road every day as it's sheltered from beach wind. I know more people here than I ever did when we lived in the metro area a couple of hours away. Even though I owned that house for nearly 40 years, I never knew the people who lived across the street, barely knew the people next door. Here, I see people every day who stop to comment on our yard as they walk past, talk about local things. A year ago, I had a 14-yard truckload of topsoil delivered, but they weren't able to dump it where I needed it so it was at the edge of the one-lane gravel road. I was out shoveling dirt in my contractor's wheelbarrow every day to move it. One day my primary doc walked past with her German shepherd...and stopped to help me shovel for a half hour. She often commented on how nice the flowers looked once all the dirt was in place and everything planted. How many places could you live where your doctor would stop and grab a shovel?

An even smaller town near us quickly raised tens of thousands to hand out to individuals who hadn't yet received unemployment or any other sort of aid. (This coastal area relies 100% on tourism and all nightly rentals are shut, so almost everyone is out of work.) When the little town saw how many people were benefitting from individual aid, they announced they were setting up a fund for small businesses. They received, gasp, $400,000 in donations the first day!

I volunteer for our Backpack for Kids program and am well aware of how many people in this little town volunteer money and effort to help others. I believe that we're far more sheltered in this beautiful rural area, that most of the people here are truly generous and always willing to help others. Perhaps the really big changes have been in the heavily populated metropolitan areas.

Hello @tmvickery,

That is an interesting observation you have made about the changes you have noticed in yourself. While you do not mention any health problems, sometimes changes in our personality can be related to physical and/or emotional problems.

Have you ever discussed this personality change with your doctor?

@helenfrances You are so right. Even sometimes we start worrying about something that is coming up, but when it does there was no need to worry about it. I plead guilty too. Leaving for Mayo today. Pre-op test tomorrow. I get a little and anxious, once we are at the hotel I will be fine. I can handle all of the test, and there's lots of them, but there's no need to worry all will be fine.

@helenfrances I am so proud of you. What an accomplishment!! You must be very intelligent. I went back to school in my 40's, but only got my Certified Medical Assistant Degree. It was for only 9 months. Since I like animals so much I wish I had gone for an Animal assistant. But really you are amazing! Glad you didn't listen to your husband. Mine likes control my life sometimes. He's been very protective, since I'm up for surgery that I will get the Covid-19. Bless you for what you did and I hope you are very proud of yourself. My thoughts are with you as you continue to study. Jeanie

@lilypaws It is only naturel to be a little anxious about going for the testing but no worries you will be fine we are all pulling for you . Just relax Let us know when you can . take care Linda

@lioness I looked into that before I moved. There are usually several classes going at any time, and they cover a wide range of topics! The term "Ollie" stands for Osher LifeLong Learning Institute.
Ginger

@gingerw Yes that,s what it stands for I have,nt gone in awhile but after we get back to normal and they open up I,m going to look into the new catalogue to see if there is something Id like to attend. My son is Director of Development there so proud of him

Good for you! Keep up the good work.

I am beginning to see the COVID chapter as a never-ending one. I just canceled another test as leaving home has become so difficult. I do manage the grocery every 2 weeks as one does need to eat. Takes me 2 weeks to psyche myself up again to even face the grocery store and get through without a panic attack. Ridiculous I tell myself. At least they have senior hours. This helps. Odd with no one talking or even making eye contact. Starting to wear on those on the front lines and some are no longer there. 🙁 Everyone in masks-I think I have been transported to another world that is even less kind than the previous one. George was ahead of his time. I find myself wondering whose eyes are peering back at me.

I agree, @parus, it does seem like we have been transported to an alternative universe. It is a good thing, however, that everyone (or almost everyone) is protecting themselves and others with masks now.