It is not always easy to be self aware that your thinking is going astray especially if you live alone and have no one to say “Hey,are you alright? You seem a bit agitated,depressed,paranoid etc”, or to bring those subtle signs to your attention that an independent voice can do.
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True. I use a mindfulness exercise to return to a more grounded state, but even that doesn’t always get me out of a low energy funk. When I’m in one of those moods I turn to something physical, like a walk or a bike ride, to get the energy up and stabilise. But sometimes there is no substitute for other people.
I am finding my state of aloneness and the ensuing lack of stimulation means life is about existence than positive living . I can hardly find it in me to endure 2-3 hours of being up before the urge to escape the dragging hours has me wanting to head back to bed again.
When I had company in terms of a wife, and even when I had day centre activities and a drop in to attend, going to bed during the day was usually a sign I was physically below par- bad cold/flu etc.
Now it is par for the course several times a day.
I hardly ever post about interesting events in my life as nothing happens that is stimulating in a good way.
Basically I’m stuck in this enormous rut and can see no escape.
Ouch, a tough situation. Move house to a location that is more stimulating? It’s really difficult to stimulate yourself, the Internet can only do so much even when you’re on the look out for new things. I find having a few friends is really important, just an afternoon on the beach with a girlfriend trying out new wetsuits can completely change the tone for a couple of weeks. That’s a kind of emotional stimulation we all need from time to time 
Have you tried setting yourself some new challenges which bring you into contact with new people? With your ability and propensity for reading academic papers there might be some connections you can make in those circles. Even if contact is by Skype it might do something.
I am living alone again after my tenant moved out. It’s been several years since I have lived here by myself and I will go crazy after a couple of years of having the place to myself. I see my mum (as you guys call your mothers) every Sunday to deliver her the news paper and I call her everyday to see if she is OK. Maybe you can volunteer for some charity work helping those elderly folks in need. I was given the house I am in now by a wealthy old woman who I cut grass for and I also took her places. She had no blood relatives left on the planet so she kind of adopted me as one of her own.
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A lot of problems I have either wouldn’t improve with a move( chronic difficulty making friends) or would get worse( difficulty navigating unfamiliar territory). Then the thought of the logistics involved with making a move - transferring utilities like gas/electric etc updating internet, setting up with new gp and mental health services (and more besides) pushes my anxiety buttons to the max. I made many moves in the first 12 years of living independently but it was my wife who organised those and ensured everything went smoothly. I couldn’t face coping with them now without massive support . Literally in the sense that everything is arranged and there are no hiccups to contend with.