Isolation and depression: Scared of the coming winter

@jamsie i understand your challenge so well. One good thing about Covid is now I can have video therapy sessions. Please reach out whenever you want. @gingerw

It has been awhile since I posted anything, partly because I wasn't sure how to follow friends or Mentors communicating with me. I get many, many emails and I am confused if any are directed to me. Also finding friends who have responded directly to my posts. I have a hard time understanding this forum I guess.
I am taking this opportunity and hoping all who have been so kind with their words of encouragement and advice see this. On Friday I heard from my clinic and they will be contacting me this coming week to set up video counseling. I am soooo very excited about this. The need to talk to someone gets greater every day, as well as the loneliness. I do walk for about an hour most days, and I am glad it is still nice enough to do that, but then I end up taking a long nap afterwards as I am out of shape and overweight. Eating is still my guilty pleasure. Shame follows. I am still journaling, and trying to focus more on gratitude (believe it or not). As with any journaling, reading them another day is helpful to me.

It has been awhile since I posted anything, partly because I wasn't sure how to follow friends or Mentors communicating with me. I get many, many emails and I am confused if any are directed to me. Also finding friends who have responded directly to my posts. I have a hard time understanding this forum I guess.
I am taking this opportunity and hoping all who have been so kind with their words of encouragement and advice see this. On Friday I heard from my clinic and they will be contacting me this coming week to set up video counseling. I am soooo very excited about this. The need to talk to someone gets greater every day, as well as the loneliness. I do walk for about an hour most days, and I am glad it is still nice enough to do that, but then I end up taking a long nap afterwards as I am out of shape and overweight. Eating is still my guilty pleasure. Shame follows. I am still journaling, and trying to focus more on gratitude (believe it or not). As with any journaling, reading them another day is helpful to me.

@jamsie, here are a couple of places that may help explain how to use Mayo Clinic Connect:
- Get Started https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/
– Replies and @mentions: How do I know who is replying to whom? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/replies-and-mentions-how-do-i-know-who-is-replying-to-whom/

@jamsie Good to hear from you and that you're doing better and have upcoming appointment. Does the journaling seem to help? I made a first attempt at art journaling which was a challenge for I'm having issues with one eye and have eye appointment tomorrow. Yes I agree with you about talking and you us here to chat.

Ok

Ok

So good to hear from you marjou! I have attempted before, but I don't know if I posted it in the correct place. I hope you are well. Journaling does seem to help me. I write my thoughts and feelings down, especially when I have a bad day. It is safer than saying things I will regret! I have now tried being a bit more positive and have also started a gratitude journal. The key for me is to read them a few days later. It is surprising how my feelings have either changed or I have calmed down and feel glad that I journaled and not spoken the words. I don't think art journaling would be my thing. I am hoping to start video counseling as soon as they go through my insurance coverage. I probably need a change in my meds too. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Need Connection and Support.

I'm going through some health issues and I'm pretty isolated. Even before covid. I do counseling, but have no resources where I live and have been trying to connect with others online. The loneliness is getting to me, I just don't want to spiral.