Yes - being somewhere scenic really does help. What’s your favourite view so far? 
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I like smaller seaside resorts like Whitstable, Deal and Lyme Regis.
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Oh @Franko, 3 good choices of smaller seaside resorts there.
Look after yourself and keep planning your trips
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Hi Erica ,
Another crazy week for me , both physically and mentally , this week just exhausted from it , still trying to run before I can walk.
Gary’s club Friends 4 Ever , a club for children/adults with additional support needs , they do all sorts of activities , he couldn’t understand why he couldn’t go , heartbroken was an under estimate for how he was feeling , so I brought him home for the weekend , now I’ve Andrew asking when’s his turn 
, I’m just going to try my best keep Gary happy so when he goes back to the care home he’s more settled , Monday I’ve got Maggie’s center for seated exercising , enjoy it but a fortnight ago put 95% into it and suffered for 3 days later 
, so I’ve learned my lesson to tone it down a bit , Wednesday we had computer class and lunch was provided afterwards and a chat about other classes that are available , Thursday relaxation over the phone from the Beatson , that morning I stay in bed as I’m completely relaxed when I’m having it… Gary helped me last weekend to plant my daffodils , this weekend he said he’ll help me with the rest of my plants , you all have a fab weekend and hope next week is good for you Xx
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I’m tired just reading what you’ve been up to! Today should definitely be a rest day! Any more classes that you fancied trying?
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Gosh what a jam packed week you had @Jay .
I am so impressed how you are getting to know what you can do and what is too much, you are really getting to know yourself and scheduling in self care to your life.
It certainly is a juggling act with your lovely boys isn’t it.
I am glad that you have a helper with gardening pursuits and you can both see the fruits of your labour.
Make the most of the good weather, look after yourself and keep posting
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Hi Nichola/Erica ,
How’s your weekend been ? It’s been lovely weather up here , went out yesterday with Gary shopping , today did a bit of gardening , now chillin watching the tv Xx
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Sounds like it was nice and relaxing - just what you needed! And yes, the weather has been beautiful.
All good here. We got rid of the trampoline and lots of kids bits that the girls are to old for now - it makes such a difference to the garden! Aldi egg chair up (wanted one for ages) and will now start brightening it up a little.
Got a really really busy week at work and lots of running the girls around to clubs - will be nice to have the extra long weekend coming up.
Did you buy anything nice whilst shopping?
Let us know how your classes go this week X .
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Hi @Jay and @Nichola75 I chilled out to Grace last night and enjoyed it.
Yes, weather good here, but wind a bit chilly.
Did my usual walk yesterday and today and several people had missed me as I had had early GP nurse appointments and done other walks over Easter.
@Nichola75 I bet your garden looks different now the girls have ‘grown up’.
I bet Gary enjoyed shopping @Jay did you get anything nice?
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Oh No need to apologise Erica, …Since diagnosis I have spent my days either feeling sad or mad. It was a wee ‘lightbulb’ moment when I was watching James struggle to do something because his joints were all sore. I felt such sadness for him and then an overwhelming anger which I couldnt understand. Then it clicked. I was mad at the cancer for doing that to him!!! Yeah, the caravan has been a godsend and can totally relax there. I hope you are doing of and keeping well. I havent managed the yoga/pilates yet as busy busy with appointments (hence why I had missed your reply) …take care xx
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Evening Everyone ,
Hope you’re weekend is going well , I’ve got Andrew staying with me till Monday , today him & Gary got their 2nd booster , Gary’s no problem , Andrew freaks out as he doesn’t understand , got it down to a T , get a mask , explain to your child a game of peek a boo , you put 1 on , unhook one side , explain its a game nurse shouts peek a boo , 1st 1 to remove it wins , put theirs on saying your going to put yours back on , nurse gives jab , works everytime , booster done not a problem , now chillin watching tv as it’s been raining all day , tomorrow hopefully if nice going to Largs for an Ice Cream , have a fab weekend everyone , ps Bambi has been eating my roses again
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Oh @Jay what a brilliant mask game to play, the perfect diversion.
Glad that your boys have had their 2nd boosters, a good job done.
Thanks for the photo of the culprit, Bambi, I had to laugh as I couldn’t see what the photo was of and as soon as you explained it is so obvious.
I hope the weather is kind to you both tomorrow and a trip to Largs for ice cream is on the cards.
On our local news tonight they said that some local supermarkets has suspended sales of disposable BBQ’s because of fears of fires after an extremely dry April.
Look after yourselves and enjoy your special time together
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This is an interesting subject, been a while since I have been on so lots to read to be honest I have not ready all the 33 comments on this subject but a good few of them.
For me I can relate to a lot but one that I think makes loneliness more is the fact that people see you on calls when at work (working from home) and assume you are okay as you look the same, so they load you with loads of issues and work and assume you are still your normal self and get on with it.
Also one that makes me conflicted is when you go on calls and people are moaning of a bit of a sniffle or ach some where and you just want to scream at them, shut up and get on with it you are lucky, but I don’t, when this type of discussion has happened it makes me become more intreverted and that not my normal trate at all as I look after large teams constructing multi million pound projects, as the leader so I am used to being on my own and alot of people looking to me for direction and advice but it would be nice for a few of them to really ask and mean it how are you? Do you need a bit of help today? I do find if they ask this question alot don’t really want the answer.
It’s a challenge, also our business is doing alot of resilience and mental health courses but they always miss health out. For me how you are physically has alot to do with how you perform on the above two issues. When I raise this with the course lectures they often dismiss it.
Funny subject really, does anybody really understand it as we are all so different with alot of triggers!!
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@Cannon oh, I can really relate to so much you say.
Looking back now for me it was partly that we have the hidden disabilities thing at work and partly me not saying my needs and I just felt more and more resentful in a lonely isolated bubble.
I also know the one of wanting to shout that ‘you think you have got problems’ and ending up deafening myself shouting it in my head instead.
For you during Covid times and being isolated working from home everything must be so much exacerbated.
Me and my head can be worst enemies at times.
My pet hate is people saying ‘oh, you do look well’ when I am really feeling rubbish inside.
I really agree with you when you say 'how you are physically and health wise has a lot to do with how you perform resiliently and mental health wise…
My big symptom is fatigue
Please keep posting as I am learning a lot about myself from you.
Look after yourself, your health and welfare comes first.
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Hello @Cannon. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Like @Erica I identify with a lot of what you have said. The loneliness and isolation for me is not physically being on my own. I am an introvert and fortunate to have a number of creative hobbies to keep me from getting bored. My feelings of loneliness and isolation stem from people’s lack of understanding and unhelpful comments. I agree with you that it would be nice to receive the occasional “how are you” and for the person asking the question to wait and to want to hear the answer! Comments of how well I look drive me mad and you are exactly right that how we are feeling physically has a direct bearing on our resilience levels and mental wellbeing. I suffer with constant anaemia and I can tell when my Hb (haemoglobin) level is dropping, because I become irritable and less able to cope with day to day life. As Erica has said, I find this forum so helpful because I know that others here understand. Warm wishes. Willow
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Hi everyone, what you have all been saying in the last few posts resonates with me too. The lack of empathy and understanding from some people can make you feel isolated. I can imagine how difficult it must be at work @Cannon when people are not understanding. I do agree that they should be looking at the interconnections between physical and mental health, it must be so frustrating when they dismiss your concerns. I was thinking about how the last two years have changed my relationships with people. I wander if it’s because everyone has been through the pandemic and some people feel that if they can get back to ‘normal’ then so can you. Although I do feel as if I have lost some friendships because of this, I do also feel that other friendships where we have mutual support and understanding are so important and I really value them.
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I agree with with so much of what you have all said. The issue with looking ok but not feeling ok, lack of understanding from others, but also, not making my needs heard.
It’s taking me a lot of time to find myself again. I’m coping on the work front but I’m finding the social side of things more difficult. I’m working on this but I think it’s frustrating for those around me because I find it difficult to explain, so I just avoid the conversations. I’m getting there slowly, meeting a couple of close friends at a time but I’m not ready for big groups. Family gatherings are ok as the children make it easier. I’m not pushing to hard. If doing something is making me feel more anxious than not doing it then I don’t go. However, I am trying to balance this and not dig myself a whole which means I stop doing everything.
Small steps and what feels right. Like you all said, close friends will understand X
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I think I’ve been like you @Nichola75 . I’m fine at work, but I’ve hardly socialised with anyone in case “the subject” comes up. If e can find some neutral topic of conversation, it’s fine but I’m slightly dubious about talking about what I’m going through in case it’s a conversation killer, which it mostly is.
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I completely get that @Franko. I used to find conversation so easy. However, not I get anxious thinking about what I’m going to say. How silly is that! 
We will both get there in the end x
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