When I leave my house by myself its usually out of necessity like I need to buy certain groceries or I walk the dog - I have to do these things - I never leave my house and do things like hang out or eat out in a restaurant or cafe by myself - do you ever do things out of the house to socialize or relax by yourself?
I’ll sit on the porch sometimes to relax and get some fresh air. Other than that I do my relaxing inside. I’ll sometimes go out to socialize with my family or my peer specialist but usually I socialize over Internet video.
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I have my circle of friends, socializing outside of that group is scary to me. Though if I’m talking professionally, about my business, I do fine. Especially when talking to another entrepreneur, talking shop. Or if I’m among people from either the Pagan or SCAdian communities, I generally trust the people from there, though I still get nervous if I don’t know anyone.
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Yeah I do most of my relaxing inside - I can use the extra sunshine to help out my depression, sitting on the porch even with my dog is something I can do - thanks for the idea @Malvok
I’d go crazy if i stayed inside. Even at my worst I had to get out and be around people. I just can’t handle time alone. I get silly and rambunctious. It’s sort of embarrassing.
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I also sit on my back porch watching the wild kittens and looking at my big back yard. Lots of trees. I love trees. Other than the grocery store or the doctors I don’t leave the house.
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I have a difficult time leaving my house especially by myself to do leisurely things or socialize in public places - a history of panic disorder, anxiety and agoraphobia makes it difficult for me to relax out in public
The only time I leave the house by myself is when I walk to the flea market or the beach or library. (The aim of that though is not to socialise but to enjoy myself.) Otherwise my husband goes with me in the car to other places like shops, bank or hospital, family, etc.
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I never, ever feel safe enough. I am sometimes afraid to go outside as to be harmed frightens me so badly. I feel like I’m a freak. The things that creep me out (the illness) call ME creepy. I don’t feel like a human being, I feel like I’m in the iron maiden…and every spike is a person that I’m blind to and can do anything to me. I am way too afraid, and I mean even if I had a ■■■■■■■ gun on my ankle or something it wouldn’t help. (Not that I would do that, that’s just an example of how a vet may feel safe at home but it’s breaking the law and stupid). I just don’t…feel…safe. I’ve been pasted on this computer, and my gf went out to dinner without me last night because I’m sick of moving around I’m tired and lethargic and I just said no. She was really nice though and brought me home some food.
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I have to get out
Staying in my flat makes me anxious and depressed
I like to keep busy as much as possible
However my handicap is that I rarely go out after 4pm
I do not have a social life
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At the least I try and get out for a walk each day no matter how I’m feeling. As it helps with all aspects of my sza.
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Mostly for me it’s out of necessity ie go for my depot. Very occasionally I’ll go to one cafe on my own. In terms of socialising with other people there is only the hour long Thursday group, held at the cafe, I have gone to in the past.
Haven’t been in months. It’s hard going with sometimes only three of us there. One with alogia and the other lapsing into his delusions given half a chance(that’s the peer leader) . Then there’s me struggling to initiate and sustain conversation and be conversationally proactive which I am poor at. As said before best thing is the breakfast I order and that is distinctly average.
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Another big factor re going out especially if it is likely to be busy is (a) navigating through the crowds and avoiding bumping into people. My spatial awareness isn’t the best ,and visually the toing and froing can make my head spin (b) Then there is thinking people are picking up on signs that I am mentally ill /not right and being conscious of people laughing/looking at me or thinking they are. Not sure if you’d call that delusions/ideas of reference but it goes beyond plain social anxiety.
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I haven’t lately. I was thinking about going to our local old graveyard to just take pictures and hang out in the daytime. I’m too chicken to go at night by myself. Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I like to do something special. I used to have this huge block party to go to at my old school. Now I usually just carve a pumpkin and put lights out. We don’t get any trick or treaters here.
You can bring a camera and a sketchbook, so you don’t look like a weirdo if someone sees you. It’s a nice place to relax and think about your mortality and the lives that others have lived. It kind of makes you more ready to get out there and excel. It’s the whole existential thing of accepting the fact that we all die someday… Which might leave you more inclined to another hang out venue like an artsy coffee shop. I’m going to one this week with my step mom. She is likely to be diagnosed with a leukemia-like blood disorder that her mom has. -I have been depressed since she told me, but at least I’m still chugging along with what I have to do for school.- I am going to meet her at the coffee shop at least once a week after work, so she can have some time away from the kids, because they tackle her when she gets home.
Sorry to get off topic.
You can go to places and have a good experience. Just go knowing that you’re alive and everyone else is and they’re just trying to get along like you. You really do have more in common with people than you think and people want to tell you about their lives. All you have to do is listen. It’s the same as on here. Maybe pretend like you’re talking to one of us or that someone who makes you anxious thinks like us.
I hope it goes well.
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I don’t go to restaurants alone. I don’t go to coffee shops, big stores or even the library alone.
If I’m walking into a building I have someone with me. I only swim at the pools my sis works at or that I know really well from child hood… again… if my sis isn’t on duty, I go with a friend.
But as far as getting out of the house… sometimes the walls are closing in and furniture is breathing and the pressure of being inside begins to feel like being 15 feet under water and building. I have to get out of there.
I go to the pier just down the beach and night fish or I sit on the bench at the end of the cove and just breathe. I do take walks around the park. I get on my board and paddle so far out that the shore looks small and I can barely see the houses or patch of city… much less hear it.
There is no one anywhere near me for a very long distance. Just sky and ocean… then I can relax.
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