Doesn’t matter if it’s related to the coronavirus mayhem or not, whether it’s seemingly trivial or broadly significant—tell me what’s getting to you at this very moment. Is it your canceled graduation ceremony? A fear of being alone with your thoughts for too long? Are you frustrated with your parents, your partner, your kids, your dogs? The state of the country or world in general? Tell me.
Something on my mind that doesn't directly have to do with my overall anger re: politics/lack of federal action: I'm a little frustrated about having to halt physical therapy for a while after seeing progress in my spine/tailbone over the past few weeks. Trying to find other ways to cope with the pain (cold water aerobics!) and reaching out to my PT for guidance.
Hi Fiza, thank you for doing this. My abuelo hasbeen ill, and my commencement was recently canceled. We showed abuelo how to video chat and I have been Face timing him every day. It has helped a lot to talk to him.
Adriana, I’m so sorry to hear about your grandpa and the commencement ceremony. I love that you’re FaceTiming him, though...that made me smile. We’re you able to get home or are you on campus?
Moved back in with my parents so I'm dealing with a lack of independence. In addition, my mother is a hoarder. Having lots of things, clutter really makes me feel squished and suffocated so it is driving me crazy.
I go on walks every day. I have deep cleaned my room because my boyfriend is coming to stay with us. He's from Guatemala so he can't go home. I cleaned out drawers so he can put clothes away and it feels so good to purge my belongings. They're sitting in the garage until I can give gently used things to charities.
I was feeling disciplined with my days (which just generally keeps me going) until yesterday when my mind ran in a frenzy thinking about my family in India as news about the outbreak and quarantine started hitting my homeland. I wasn't having too much trouble holding onto "good-forcing- function-to-feel-present"-kinda feeling until yesterday. I couldn't stand the feeling and just curled-in the entire day feeling distressed by to-do lists which felt like such a relief, honestly. Keep cooking to stay connected to home while being away from home.
I feel ya, Julie. Are you able to go on walks every now and then, or sit on your balcony/porch. And do you normally get therapy? You can ask if your therapist would be willing to do video sessions?
Hi Fiza, my flatmate has gone to Florida for spring break and is returning on Monday. Says he can’t extend his stay there, and the hospital here wont test until symptoms appear. Extremely worried as we share a lot of common space; where can I run off to?
Thanks Fiza, this is very practical. I cared for a person with bipolar for 3 yrs; though entirely different I don’t think I’ve any more emotional energy left to care again. Sorry
Something on my mind that doesn't directly have to do with my overall anger re: politics/lack of federal action: I'm a little frustrated about having to halt physical therapy for a while after seeing progress in my spine/tailbone over the past few weeks. Trying to find other ways to cope with the pain (cold water aerobics!) and reaching out to my PT for guidance.
Hi Fiza, thank you for doing this. My abuelo hasbeen ill, and my commencement was recently canceled. We showed abuelo how to video chat and I have been Face timing him every day. It has helped a lot to talk to him.
Adriana, I’m so sorry to hear about your grandpa and the commencement ceremony. I love that you’re FaceTiming him, though...that made me smile. We’re you able to get home or are you on campus?
Moved back in with my parents so I'm dealing with a lack of independence. In addition, my mother is a hoarder. Having lots of things, clutter really makes me feel squished and suffocated so it is driving me crazy.
It's a touuuugh transition! How are you taking care of yourself? Do you get fresh air often?
I go on walks every day. I have deep cleaned my room because my boyfriend is coming to stay with us. He's from Guatemala so he can't go home. I cleaned out drawers so he can put clothes away and it feels so good to purge my belongings. They're sitting in the garage until I can give gently used things to charities.
I was feeling disciplined with my days (which just generally keeps me going) until yesterday when my mind ran in a frenzy thinking about my family in India as news about the outbreak and quarantine started hitting my homeland. I wasn't having too much trouble holding onto "good-forcing- function-to-feel-present"-kinda feeling until yesterday. I couldn't stand the feeling and just curled-in the entire day feeling distressed by to-do lists which felt like such a relief, honestly. Keep cooking to stay connected to home while being away from home.
Sending you so much love, Aditi. We need those stay in and just curl up in bed days. There’s a graphic essay I recently read in Catapult’s new “A Map Is Only One Story“ that I think you might enjoy. https://catapult.co/stories/say-it-with-noodles-a-comic-about-food-and-language
struggling with my mental health a little bit just being far from home and alone - going to set limits on iphone and computer time.
I feel ya, Julie. Are you able to go on walks every now and then, or sit on your balcony/porch. And do you normally get therapy? You can ask if your therapist would be willing to do video sessions?
Hi Fiza, my flatmate has gone to Florida for spring break and is returning on Monday. Says he can’t extend his stay there, and the hospital here wont test until symptoms appear. Extremely worried as we share a lot of common space; where can I run off to?
Hey Gaurav, not entirely sure you need to run off! This might help: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-to-do-living-with-someone-coronavirus_l_5e729252c5b6f5b7c53d9a6d?
Thanks Fiza, this is very practical. I cared for a person with bipolar for 3 yrs; though entirely different I don’t think I’ve any more emotional energy left to care again. Sorry