Your article really hit home in a positive way.
I did not move to a foreign country, but I dropped out of social circulation due to illness over two years ago. People quit calling, never visited, continued to go out without me. Like you, I am lucky to have an amazing significant other. But depression, fear, and anxiety have been making me some new bedmates as I face a major surgery in a few days, pretty much alone.
I had a bit of a breakdown the other day about my alone-ness and the fact that there will be no casseroles delivered or a lot of “get well” cards.
(I won’t be able to eat solid foods for a week, anyway!)
But I haven’t had the opportunity to spend so much time alone, concentrated on things that are pure leisure/learning/intrigue as I will these next few weeks. I love all those things but consider them guilty pleasures since I have been self-employed and always working for 10 years now!
I was terrified of the alone-ness and being bored — or even boring — but Netflix documentaries and a huge stack of books aren’t so frightening. Maybe I can create some things, I bought some art pens, I’ve made a playlist but have decided that this time will be spent however I want.
Friends have moved, drifted, and some have literally forgotten me. I have a few on the other side of the country, but that’s not the same as a shopping buddy or brunch mate.
My next task will probably be making new friends. For now, that’s going to be online.
I’m not afraid of that anymore, either. I’m going to reread this piece when I start feeling alone again.
Thanks for your article.
