Is anyone else starting to go f**king insane?

KilOit

No break in work, work in a hospital so came to work everyday.
People in the hospital are wiped now, no real let up or having the option to work for home for some strange reason. I would gladly take pup payment for a few weeks and I have a mortgage but I don't care, I need a break

pgj2015

bear1 wrote: »

I've been working from home since early march.
I live in Warsaw and to be honest, I don't know how I've managed it.
Worst is that I live in a 40m2 apartment with my fiance. We have to work in the same room.
I don't know about the rest of you, but picture 8 months of being in th same room 24/7 with your partner.
We would argue about anything and everything.
It really brought the relationship to it's knees but we powered through.
We got engaged.
We noticed that when we were out of the apartment we would relax.
The government here has been a shambles.
We are in a mini lockdown at the moment where they've essentially closed everything except churches and shopping centres, yet they discourage you from going.
I can't bare looking at my laptop anymore and the fact that the company wouldn't provide me one has me driven to a dark area of my brain where I'd joyfully murder the lot of them
I've a car but with nowhere to go.
To get a coffee means queueing in the freezing cold or 30min waiting at the McDonald's drive through.
You need to wear a mask no matter what.
I was always energetic, lively and hated being in the house.
Now, I find myself putting on weight, eating utter **** in the evenings and flicking through Netflix over and over.
I've even come close to watching the Bollywood crap they insist I'd like.
That's how bad it has become.

can you exercise in warsaw? I cant play football now or during the first lockdown, so i got into running, started off running for 10 min, then 15, then 20 now 30 mins. it is tough at first but then you really start to enjoy it. i highly recommend it.

bear1

pgj2015 wrote: »

can you exercise in warsaw? I cant play football now or during the first lockdown, so i got into running, started off running for 10 min, then 15, then 20 now 30 mins. it is tough at first but then you really start to enjoy it. i highly recommend it.

Yes but you need to wear a mask.

gourcuff

can only imagine what its like for overcrowded houses now.. bad enough before lockdown to have adult children living with you, but now in covid you cant even clear them out for a while and they cant go on holidays - must be a nightmare..

pgj2015

bear1 wrote: »

Yes but you need to wear a mask.

You will be grand wearing a mask. give it a go.

GoneHome

KilOit wrote: »

No break in work, work in a hospital so came to work everyday.
People in the hospital are wiped now, no real let up or having the option to work for home for some strange reason. I would gladly take pup payment for a few weeks and I have a mortgage but I don't care, I need a break

This is what people need to remember, and give up moaning about working from home and not being able to meet their mates for a night out.

Potential-Monke

So.... are adult gamers still the weirdo children types or are we the stronger ones now? Great thing about gaming, always something to look forward to. Only power cuts will drive us over the edge.

El_Duderino 09

The people who are suffering in the new lockdown, what do you need to help get through the lockdown and what practical things would make things better?

Serious question. What would make things better in this lockdown?

P.S. apart from going to the pub or a party or things that can’t be done in lockdown.

De Danann

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

The people who are suffering in the new lockdown, what do you need to help get through the lockdown and what practical things would make things better?

Serious question. What would make things better in this lockdown?

P.S. apart from going to the pub or a party or things that can’t be done in lockdown.

Something to break the cycle of work-eat-sleep-repeat.

If gyms were allowed open again at least that would help me a lot. My gym was very strict, had a booking system, limited numbers, all doors and windows open, machines spaced apart and constant cleaning in place. I went every day after work and it helped me blow off steam and get tired for bed.

I can tolerate the next few weeks but I will really, really need the gyms back on the 1st December or I might crack up. I live in an overcrowded house with no space to do anything and no garden. The constant cluttered feeling in my mind is giving me the blues. The gym was the space for me to get away from that for awhile everyday.

Padre_Pio

De Danann wrote: »

Something to break the cycle of work-eat-sleep-repeat.

Somewhere outside my house to go, no matter what the weather is.
Somewhere I can go and forget about COVID and mask wearing, and the look of terror in some peoples faces when someone moves close to them.

That's it really.

Porklife

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

The people who are suffering in the new lockdown, what do you need to help get through the lockdown and what practical things would make things better?

Serious question. What would make things better in this lockdown?

P.S. apart from going to the pub or a party or things that can’t be done in lockdown.

Very good question. I have a friend who used to be highly strung and would get worked up really easily. Over the years he completely mellowed and I admire how he deals with adversity and stress with such ease. I asked him what his secret was and he said it's simple.. acceptance. His mantra is similar to the 12 steps mantra in AA. It's all about accepting the things we cannot change, changing the things we can and recognising the difference.
If we are waiting on a train and its 18 minutes, i get all pissed off and spend 18 minutes bitching about iarnroid eireann getting myself all wound up. He will have a cigarette, listen to a song or read his newspaper. He'll get on the train when it arrives calm and happy.
I guess my point is that it's better to focus on what you do to better a situation then to dwell on things you cant.
Hope everyone is feeling somewhat good today.

I just posted in the "not insane" thread to say I was feeling better. I'm just out of Costa coffee and was hit by a feeling of longing. It's only a coffee shop for God sake but I really really miss sitting in them. I used to have a little ritual of going in to the local Costa every Thursday. Do a bit of work with a chocolate tiffin to keep me company. I miss it.

Padre_Pio

Deleted User wrote: »

I just posted in the "not insane" thread to say I was feeling better. I'm just out of Costa coffee and was hit by a feeling of longing. It's only a coffee shop for God sake but I really really miss sitting in them. I used to have a little ritual of going in to the local Costa every Thursday. Do a bit of work with a chocolate tiffin to keep me company. I miss it.

That's one of my bug bears. I went for coffee last week. Bought it and I can't even sit and enjoy it. Have to walk up the road to the park, and hope it doesn't rain:( I know it's an incredible first world problem, but even the little nice things are gone.

bitofabind

Porklife wrote: »

Very good question. I have a friend who used to be highly strung and would get worked up really easily. Over the years he completely mellowed and I admire how he deals with adversity and stress with such ease. I asked him what his secret was and he said it's simple.. acceptance. His mantra is similar to the 12 steps mantra in AA. It's all about accepting the things we cannot change, changing the things we can and recognising the difference.
If we are waiting on a train and its 18 minutes, i get all pissed off and spend 18 minutes bitching about iarnroid eireann getting myself all wound up. He will have a cigarette, listen to a song or read his newspaper. He'll get on the train when it arrives calm and happy.
I guess my point is that it's better to focus on what you do to better a situation then to dwell on things you cant.
Hope everyone is feeling somewhat good today.

I like this. A lot of this (not all, but a lot) is about self discipline, attitude, having a schedule and sticking to it no matter what.

I'm trying to learn by my sins from the first lockdown. Exercise routine went out the window, ate shyte every day, gained weight, worked til 9pm every day because work was stressful and "I may as well, shur what else am I doing".

Up and out for a walk every morning at 7am, rain hail or shine. Three healthy meals at the same time every day. Laptop closed at 6pm every evening regardless of whether I'm finished or not. Call the folks a few times a week, whatsapp chats with friends, talk to the fella every evening. I can't go to the gym or meet friends or leave the house or make plans as much as I'd like, but I can control the controllables. And gratitude. I'm a lucky b@stard to have my health, a well-paying job, good people around me and the means to support myself.
.

Porklife

bitofabind wrote: »

I like this. A lot of this (not all, but a lot) is about self discipline, attitude, having a schedule and sticking to it no matter what.

I'm trying to learn by my sins from the first lockdown. Exercise routine went out the window, ate shyte every day, gained weight, worked til 9pm every day because work was stressful and "I may as well, shur what else am I doing".

Up and out for a walk every morning at 7am, rain hail or shine. Three healthy meals at the same time every day. Laptop closed at 6pm every evening regardless of whether I'm finished or not. Call the folks a few times a week, whatsapp chats with friends, talk to the fella every evening. I can't go to the gym or meet friends or leave the house or make plans as much as I'd like, but I can control the controllables. And gratitude. I'm a lucky b@stard to have my health, a well-paying job, good people around me and the means to support myself.
.

I'm trying to adapt a similar attitude and it really does help. I am the queen of bitching about things I can't change but I'm learning from my friend to accept certain situations and to change others. For example, every Monday morning without fail I'd wake up hungover dreading the week ahead. I'd call my zen pal moaning about my headache and my workload and how I hate everything. He told me if I didn't drink on Sundays I'd feel alot better on Monday morning. Yet every Sunday I'd think **** it, it won't be that bad, I'll just have a few but roll on Monday and I'd be cursing my job hating life. He snapped at me a few months ago and said he was tired of my Monday morning bull**** routine and he didn't want to hear it anymore. I made a concerted effort to not drink on Sundays and my mood and outlook drastically changed. It took owning my nonsense and actually doing something about it.
I know the pandemic is out of our control but finding little positives or making small changes be it exercising or reading more, drinking less or meditating, we can all work towards improving things. It's not an easy time for alot of people but hopefully it will change very soon and we can all find happiness.

mcsean2163

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I just posted in the "not insane" thread to say I was feeling better. I'm just out of Costa coffee and was hit by a feeling of longing. It's only a coffee shop for God sake but I really really miss sitting in them. I used to have a little ritual of going in to the local Costa every Thursday. Do a bit of work with a chocolate tiffin to keep me company. I miss it.

Can totally relate, the small things add up.... Anyway, maybe it's time to start finding new small things

Parsnips

I have so much to be thankful for and I really am.

BUT ..... F**k me Im getting fatter by the day.
Every week I say. OK lets start afresh. But the sheer intensity of bad vibes off the TV, social media etc. Jesus any "self Discipline" goes out the window.
I know there are thousands of people piling on the weight now. I need normailty to get my head back in the game.
and you can kiss your "7am" rise for exercise goodbye

BPKS

Parsnips wrote: »

I have so much to be thankful for and I really am.

BUT ..... F**k me Im getting fatter by the day.
Every week I say. OK lets start afresh. But the sheer intensity of bad vibes off the TV, social media etc. Jesus any "self Discipline" goes out the window.
I know there are thousands of people piling on the weight now. I need normailty to get my head back in the game.
and you can kiss your "7am" rise for exercise goodbye

Go out for an hour long walk at 7.30pm if your work schedule allows it.

Come home, shower, have a cup of milk and a couple of biscuits, read for a half hour and go to bed.

The putting on weight has a lot to do with finishing work, having dinner and looking outside at the dark and deciding to veg out on the couch for 3 or 4 hours before hitting the hay.

Edit: not every night obviously, you can treat yourself at weekends with a few drinks and crisps and stay up later watching TV instead of reading and going to bed early.

buried

BPKS wrote: »

Go out for an hour long walk at 7.30pm if your work schedule allows it.

Come home, shower, have a cup of milk and a couple of biscuits, read for a half hour and go to bed.

The putting on weight has a lot to do with finishing work, having dinner and looking outside at the dark and deciding to veg out on the couch for 3 or 4 hours before hitting the hay.

Edit: not every night obviously, you can treat yourself at weekends with a few drinks and crisps and stay up later watching TV instead of reading and going to bed early.

This is good advice. Get into the bed early, Tap into a book to help you diffuse on your own level. Books are the answer to all this feicking hindrance going on at the minute.

Cirrus Incus

I'm loving this as an introvert.

Alejandro68

As if we were all sane to begin with lol.

Ubbquittious

It is grand.

Could do with a good shag though. Had a few lined up but they not within the 5km which is a terrible shame. I'm in the perfect house for it. Lovely stone cottage that used to be an Airbnb for madly in love young couples from Dublin before the corona arrived and I moved in. Have the fire lit, bit of turf in the shed, couple of sheep skin rugs to drape on the floor, but nobody to enjoy it with. Gonna be tough finding someone within 5km with both pubs closed. This is the perfect time of year for getting good and shtuck in of a night. Shame really, have had to resort to making fingerpuppets out of old socks to pass the time

Parsnips

BPKS wrote: »

Go out for an hour long walk at 7.30pm if your work schedule allows it.

Come home, shower, have a cup of milk and a couple of biscuits, read for a half hour and go to bed.

The putting on weight has a lot to do with finishing work, having dinner and looking outside at the dark and deciding to veg out on the couch for 3 or 4 hours before hitting the hay.

Edit: not every night obviously, you can treat yourself at weekends with a few drinks and crisps and stay up later watching TV instead of reading and going to bed early.

Go to Bed early you say ?
You are having a giraffe. veging out in front of the TV for 4 hours is my favourite thing to do. I have never & never will ever EVER be one of those people that go to bed at 9 or 10. jesus what a life.
Ide rather be tired in work than waste time in bed at home

I am planning to do more walking " from next Monday"

Parsnips

Ubbquittious wrote: »

It is grand.

Could do with a good shag though. Had a few lined up but they not within the 5km which is a terrible shame. I'm in the perfect house for it. Lovely stone cottage that used to be an Airbnb for madly in love young couples from Dublin before the corona arrived and I moved in. Have the fire lit, bit of turf in the shed, couple of sheep skin rugs to drape on the floor, but nobody to enjoy it with. Gonna be tough finding someone within 5km with both pubs closed. This is the perfect time of year for getting good and shtuck in of a night. Shame really, have had to resort to making fingerpuppets out of old socks to pass the time

This made me laugh.
Especially having a few lined up

Sandz066

Full on gone insane at this point.
Work stressful, working from home, horrible B!tch of a "boss".. Useless waste of space who plays the game.

Got so upset this eve that broke out in a stress rash.

Nothing to look forward to.

And living alone so no affection or hugs.

Wahhhhhh

Feisar

Gardaí have gone insane. They are exasperating stressed out people on the M4 with their pointless checkpoint. People already worried about covid/their jobs etc. All it will take is one person to loose their restraint and go all GTA and plaster three or four of them across the bonnet.
They obviously don't have a H&S advisor.

Parsnips

Sandz066 wrote: »

Full on gone insane at this point.
Work stressful, working from home, horrible B!tch of a "boss".. Useless waste of space who plays the game.

Got so upset this eve that broke out in a stress rash.

Nothing to look forward to.

And living alone so no affection or hugs.

Wahhhhhh

Keep the head up.
December will be better.

Get some good 1000p jigsaws in.
I promise they are the best stress buster without exercise you can get.

I am a hugger and definitely miss the contact.
One of the girls in work mother died last week and when I saw her I just instictively gave her a hug. competely forgot about Covid.
She started balling. I dont think it was because of me getting within her 2m radius.

mousblaster17

I have had my ups and downs but with lockdown I find it has brought on my mindfulness practice leaps and bounds, strangely. Having the same routine, day in and day out,over the last few weeks of lockdown has allowed me to clearly see how I relate to my thoughts about the same mundane routine and I have learned to let those thoughts go. I feel I've been left with no alternative except to be mindful as the alternative is despair. I really recommend meditation. I know it's not a panacea. My heart goes out to those poor souls in a dark place. I wish everyone out there well.

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

Sandz066 wrote: »

Nothing to look forward to.

And living alone so no affection or hugs.

Get a dog.

Church on Tuesday

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

Get a dog.

Or a Cat.

I'm gona try get one.

completedit

It's actually not that bad tbh, we shouldn't be passive about it but it's not terrible. Although, I amn't obeying the rules in terms of distance. I think my irregular working hours and zero-hour contract is helping me.

bodhrandude

Have managed to keep sane through the two lockdowns but I really do miss that feeling of having my t shirt vibrating from the bass and drums at a live gig. Missing out on working the festivals and attending numerous gigs this year and I was delighted to have my trad session returned for 2 weeks when the wet pubs opened briefly which helped my sanity considerably. I'm hoping the current cases stay on a downward trajectory and that this second lockdown will improve the situation again.

zerosugarbuzz

Cirrus Incus wrote: »

I'm loving this as an introvert.

Good lord, get help. Introversion is no way to live a life.

cian68

zerosugarbuzz wrote: »

Good lord, get help. Introversion is no way to live a life.

I don't think the word introvert means what you think it means

Jequ0n

cian68 wrote: »

I don't think the word introvert means what you think it means

Never underestimate the dangers of potential spontaneous human combustion

bitofabind

Parsnips wrote: »

Go to Bed early you say ?
You are having a giraffe. veging out in front of the TV for 4 hours is my favourite thing to do. I have never & never will ever EVER be one of those people that go to bed at 9 or 10. jesus what a life.
Ide rather be tired in work than waste time in bed at home

I am planning to do more walking " from next Monday"

And that's grand, bit of a night owl myself. Can't remember a night I went down before midnight in recent years. I HATE getting up at 7 as I'd naturally sleep til 9 or 10 given the chance, but the "FCUK MY LIFE WHAT IS THIS BS" passes after about 10 minutes and then I'm out enjoying a peaceful and tranquil morning, listening to a podcast and getting my morning coffee.

If evenings are more your thing, try then instead. Get into a podcast series, aim to get your steps up. I've lost the Covid weight mainly by walking, without any major diet changes, and the bigger benefit has been how it's helped my mental health more than anything

EazyD

The first lockdown I had acceptance over the situation despite knowing I’d struggle with it. This one not so much.

Last year was particularly rough for me, had significant surgery at the beginning of summer then and unfortunately developed a pretty bad infection that left me unable to walk and stuck at home alone for over 4 months. By Sep/Oct when I was recovered I developed severe anxiety/depression for the first time in my life and didn’t go out much.

By my own calculations I’ve spent at least 18 months over the last 2 years at home. That fact alone just makes me feel empty.

Parsnips

Feisar wrote: »

Gardaí have gone insane. They are exasperating stressed out people on the M4 with their pointless checkpoint. People already worried about covid/their jobs etc. All it will take is one person to loose their restraint and go all GTA and plaster three or four of them across the bonnet.
They obviously don't have a H&S advisor.

This, I 100% agree with. Well said.
Absolutely nonsense checkpoints
giving everyone more stress to deal with.
I also have taught about the chances of someone just being pushed that little bit too much over the edge and losing the plot.
And as for Gatzos and speed check points. I thing Ide fkin crack if I was done for a couple of MPH over nowadays.

Parsnips

cian68 wrote: »

I don't think the word introvert means what you think it means

Introvert ?
I used to have on of those until the handlebars fell off it

Church on Tuesday

EazyD wrote: »

The first lockdown I had acceptance over the situation despite knowing I’d struggle with it. This one not so much.

Last year was particularly rough for me, had significant surgery at the beginning of summer then and unfortunately developed a pretty bad infection that left me unable to walk and stuck at home alone for over 4 months. By Sep/Oct when I was recovered I developed severe anxiety/depression for the first time in my life and didn’t go out much.

By my own calculations I’ve spent at least 18 months over the last 2 years at home. That fact alone just makes me feel empty.

Been there and I know the feeling, have had my health issues too and at one stage thought things would never improve.

But they did and they will for you too, it will take a while but you'll pull through. Baby steps.

What I would also encourage, as I'm sure you know yourself, is to talk to people how you are feeling and professionals too if you can.

McGinniesta

No.

To be honest, for me it's been a giant relief not to have to deal with other people daily. I'm not a people person and could easily continue like this.

Spore

EazyD wrote: »

The first lockdown I had acceptance over the situation despite knowing I’d struggle with it. This one not so much.

Last year was particularly rough for me, had significant surgery at the beginning of summer then and unfortunately developed a pretty bad infection that left me unable to walk and stuck at home alone for over 4 months. By Sep/Oct when I was recovered I developed severe anxiety/depression for the first time in my life and didn’t go out much.

By my own calculations I’ve spent at least 18 months over the last 2 years at home. That fact alone just makes me feel empty.

Hang in there EasyD, try and get treatment for your depression. There's four legs to the stool: exercise, diet, sleep and talking. But you could add in medication if its necessary. SSRIs are a game changer when it comes to depression. Stay strong

Parsnips

4 legs to my stool

Gaming, Sleeping, Eating and Riding.

Potential-Monke

Parsnips wrote: »

4 legs to my stool

Gaming, Sleeping, Eating and Riding.

So close to mine. Gaming, Eating, Sleeping, Masturbation.

Parsnips

Parsnips wrote: »

This, I 100% agree with. Well said.
Absolutely nonsense checkpoints
giving everyone more stress to deal with.
I also have taught about the chances of someone just being pushed that little bit too much over the edge and losing the plot.
And as for Gatzos and speed check points. I thing Ide fkin crack if I was done for a couple of MPH over nowadays.

If people weren’t ***** we wouldn’t need checkpoints.

victor8600

I should be enjoying the lockdown, I am quite introverted and working from home is fine for me. There is more time to spend with the kids and my wife, less need to go shopping. I can jog most days and we have enough money for food and all essentials, plus some luxuries.

And usually I would be very stable psychologically, yet I had developed an anxiety disorder in February. Just came seemingly out of nowhere, I guess I had let the news scare me too much.

Sandz066

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

Get a dog.

I have a dog.. Back in my parents house in Kerry.
I'm not going to get a dog when I'm living in Cork city in a houseshare for the sake of my own need for affection, it wouldn't be the right circumstances for the dog. It is human affection that I am missing mostly.

I have put myself forward to do overnight fostering for the irish dogs for the Disabled but they're not taking on new volunteers at the minute with their office being shut due to Covid.

I just wanted to comment on the posts about acceptance.

I see it as a bit more complicated that what's been said. In order to live productive and fulfilling lives It's important to have a sense of agency over ourselves. Instead of me remaining in a dead-end job I can use my agency to change that. It's the opposite of feeling powerless. We are now with limited agency, limited choice. Accepting that state is a big challenge I think. Being able to say "I can't make that decision now but that's ok".

If we look at the pandemic and the consequences under the spotlight of grief we know it's more an emotional journey than a step by step process through 5 stages. Our emotional resilience will also play a part. The end goal however is acceptance. Acceptance that this is our life now (for now) that the things we loved are no longer (for now).

Loss of a person is final. There is a kind of comfort in the certainty of the end. There is no what ifs or second guessing. Any of you who have gone through the end of a relationship will understand this. The "is he/she going to end things" is torture and we want to be put out of our misery. Acceptance is very difficult when we are in that state. Covid has no certainty. We simply don't know. We can accept Level 5 right now but as night follows day that will change.
And again and again.

I do think that acceptance brings freedom but recently I've been feeling like it might be a "giving in" to having limited choice and where is the freedom in that. That's hard for me and I imagine I'm not alone.

Porklife

I agree with what you've said Diamonds of first. Acceptance is the final step in the grieving process that sets you free. Until you reach that point its a battle of conflicting emotions and inner turmoil. Denial is a powerful state of mind too. In some ways it's the opposite of hope but in many ways it's very similar. Take a relationship ending as an example. A man I'm in love with breaks my heart and leaves me for another woman. For weeks I refuse to believe its actually happening. I drink to blot it out and drown myself in nightclubs, shagging other people, work etc. Part of me then turns to hope. Surely he'll see the error of his ways and come back to me. He must be missing me etc etc.
It's a horrible place to be. It's only when you finally relent and accept the reality of the situation that you find inner peace and strength and come out stronger the other side.
I've dealt with huge loss in my life. Both parents have died, close friends have died and relationships have ended. I truly believe all these experiences have made me resilient and stronger than I was before.
I feel the same way about the pandemic. Adaptation may be a better word than acceptance. We all need to adapt to our new circumstances and try to find the light as hard as that may because wishing things were different and digging our heels in will only make this harder and lead to unhappiness.
I'm not in a great place at the moment either and I've found this my way of getting through it. I listen to music, cook nice food and try to fight off the negative thoughts. Its really hard. This situation is testing all of us and it's a really difficult time but I think we all have the ability to fight the good fight.
We've gotta stay hopeful, hope is the little fire that will keep us all going.