Lonely and Just want to talk with virtual friends here

Thank you for the tip, that book sounds interesting.
And thank you too for the tips. I am not quite there yet, but thank you so much.

Yes, from what you said it sounds like I have your mother’s temperament.
What actions do you take, or plan to take to change things? Do you reach out to simply be there for someone who could use your help?
Can you volunteer somewhere and make social connections?
You have a cat, perhaps there’s a cat owner club around.
There are many ways to meet up with others who have shared interests. Travel, ancestry, art, food, music, theatre, hiking, belly dancing, tai chi, bowling…
I obviously don’t know where you are geographically, but I bet there are groups around you waiting for a new member like you. Dust your tap shoes off and see where your feet take you!

I learned something interesting. It took a long time to heal after my port was removed. I believe it was because the area had radiation and that delays healing.

Thank you SusanEllen.
I find asking for help very difficult because I always did things myself; I had to, or so I thought anyway. There hardly were people around and I always felt such a burden if ever I asked something; it sent me into 'must make up for it' mode for a long time, always feeling I owed them something 😀 For ages!!! So, better do it myself.

I have always been quite self-sufficient and could take care of things. After a disastrous relationship that I thankfully managed to end safely (although there is still a lot of damage to clear up) I tried a few things but finally gave up. I retreated from 'the world' but this obviously didn't help against the loneliness. I can't stand the fact that apparently; for some reason I do need friendship and meaningful interactions with people who are important to me (on an emotional level), and who find me important.

I tried to find groups but I am so shy that it's difficult to fit in. When I am talking to someone I don't really know yet I tend to either share too much or, since I noticed this, be 'distant' while being friendly. At work I put on a bright and shiny face and crack lots of jokes while passing on the knowledge but after work I am back to feeling, meh...
But I must say your post sparked something, I will try to find a group.

Thank you too! I had not seen your reply since there are so many and for some reason not all expand. Pen pals are nice.

Oh my gosh. You have just described ME! How did you know?
Ironic isn’t it.
I take Zoloft so I don’t fall too far down the rabbit hole myself.
If my energy level was better I would put my own tap shoes on and dance.
You sound positive and thoughtful!
Blessings

It IS strange, right?
You're similar to me, that's special 😀
I don't take any meds, well, they have been advised so I do have them here but I hardly take them, only when things get very bad. I notice they really work but I don't want to get hooked because the feeling is good. They told me to take one once a day and I noticed 1/4 already made me feel more relaxed so that's what I take when I can't handle the General Angst. There is a lot going on so I resort to taking half every once in a while. It helps and also helps my heart; this really needs a break.

I struggle with your point of view "I notice they really work but I don't want to get hooked because the feeling is good." If you have a headache, and Tylenol takes away the pain, do you avoid it? Or if you were told to take meds to control or blood pressure or diabetes, and they made you feel physically better, would you refuse?

The ability to feel better, happier and healthier emotionally and psychologically falls in the same category - general health. As a matter of fact, there is a connection between good mental health and improved physical health and longevity.

What is the drug you fear? Is it physically addicting or are you simply afraid to use a medication to help you feel better?
Sue

Good questions! Thank you.

I am hesitant to take drugs that may make me emotionally dependent. I don't want to feel I have to take them to feel good and want to know that what I enjoy is because it's natural. I sometimes take them though if things are very bad.

I have no problem with medication that I need to make my body function better such as blood pressure medication and the one for my heart; I take those and I need them. I am just afraid to mess with my head.

I was once told to use them and they really hit me hard: not only psychologically but also physically. I was in pain all day, could hardly walk and had to stop every half minute for instance, I could no longer climb the stairs in one go, it was all so terrible. My legs were burning, I had the shakes all day long. But that was the physical side. There was more.
I could no longer draw, and I lost my dreams and imagination; I used to paint and draw every day and I no longer could. The dreams were gone; instead of waking and remembering sheets full of dreams (I wrote them down, I would remember the smells, the way things felt, the colours) i had - nothing-. A void. No longer the dreamscapes; i was in mourning for quite a while. The creativity was gone, the talent to visualise things. It was all gone. And it never came back. Each time I remember this, as happens when I write this, makes me very, very sad.

So any medication that messes with my head is very difficult for me. I have no problem with medication for blood pressure, my heart, that kind of thing.

What do you folks suggest for a resident in and outta nursing homes who is also physically disabled — currently residing in the nursing home in Lafayette Indiana?????

(SPINA BIFIDA MYELOMENINGOCELE L4-5 ALSO DIAGNOSED AND COPING W/ANXIETY AND MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER)