Just a vent/rant really but does anyone else get a bit overwhelmed when trying to achieve lots of different things at once. I’m currently in the middle of getting over post viral fatigue from Covid that I had at new year, along with a house purchase that’s supposed to be next week, a professional qualification interview the following monday, and a really shitty period at work with long hours and quite a bit of pressure. I’m also currently living under a leaking roof while waiting to move, and the current lockdown on top if it all means I cant really get out much and cant socialise in person at all.

I had to lie down this afternoon for an hour and reset myself but I do feel a bit out of control. Then I realise people have it far, far worse and I wonder why I cant even manage what I have to deal with.

Sorry. Just a rant really.

Sorry to hear it’s getting to you.

If it’s any consolation, I feel much the same but for similar and different reasons.

Then I realise people have it far, far worse and I wonder why I cant even manage what I have to deal with.

I think you shouldn’t feel that you are ‘competing’ with anyone – you could take that argument reductio ad absurdam. There’s nothing wrong with taking a bit of time for yourself and indeed it’s probably worth doing so now more than ever.

Rant away. It helps.

Sometimes things get out of control, life is like that.

Our brains are sometimes not very good (when it comes to stress) at differentiating between (a) a lot of things and (b) a lot of things that are really important.

Make sure you keep taking time out to lie down. And vent, this place is pretty good for it.

Similar shit going on with me mate. Occasionally feel like I’m a mere passenger in my life…..but try not to dwell too much. Getting out in the fresh air for a walk with the dog really helps me.

I don’t think your alone, lots of work colleagues are on the verge of breakdowns. This new lockdown has hit some harder than before.
All I can say is out some time aside for you go outside if you can sit quiet and just try to reset you self.
I find just sitting and listening to nature will help.

Then I realise people have it far, far worse and I wonder why I cant even manage what I have to deal with.

I keep on getting this one – Indeed right now many of us are. I am so fed up with it all but I personally have really not been seriously affected

its a tough time for everyone. Its not a competition to see who suffers most. Your pain to is real.

Take some time for yourself even if its just a walk around the park!

Edit – just saw a facebook post about “blue monday” this is probably the worst time of year for us all in what looks like the worst year many of us will have faced.

this too will pass. Snowdrops are coming up. Days are getting longer.

Thanks fellas. Looks like I’m not alone with the guilt bit, I don’t think the media bombardment of stories helps.

Yup same here and no it’s not a competition.

7 people living here including 3 young kids, one of whom has very high level autism and is really struggling with no school. Strongly craves being outdoors but also has severe asthma. Partner in highest risk category for Covid and step-dad waiting for a heart operation.

I have no work and no prospect of it for the foreseeable future, struggling with depression, not helped by doom scrolling and marvelling at how mad the world has gone.

Difficult to see much light at the end of the tunnel sometimes. I’ve been really trying to get out for a walk every day but today I ended up crying half way round and wished I hadn’t.

I would offer a pint and an ear, but there’s not much possibility of that for the foreseeable, so feel free to crack open a cold one and share your woes, a problem shared and all that.

Sorry it’s going a bit shit though. Hope the move goes through OK

I hear you OP.

Got a lot on my plate already and had redundancy added to it the week before last.

I’ve found talking about stuff has really helped. Not even necessarily going into the personal side of it, but people want to help and it’s good to connect.

There is nothing wrong with time out to recover – you don’t realise how much an infection can knock down your system.

I had to lie down this afternoon for an hour

My afternoons for the past year, especially when the covid chest is back. i don’t feel guilty and have taken quite a few meetings supine mid to late afternoon.

Yes airvent, yes.

I hear you OP.

Got a lot on my plate already and had redundancy added to it the week before last.

Sorry to hear that mate, I think sometimes we know things will work out but it’s getting ti the point where its ‘done’ that’s hard because it eats up your time and energy. Hopefully it’s a smooth and quick transition for you whatever happens.

Then I realise people have it far, far worse and I wonder why I cant even manage what I have to deal with.

One suggestion I have: this is something you’re probably feeling stressed about, and you should consider discounting it if you can.

I know I feel pretty selfish and self-centred feeling stressed when I have it relatively good, so I can sympathise. It’s OK to be stressed for the situation you’re in, not least because it sounds like you’re taking the situation you’re in seriously – and you’re doing some big stuff.

If you can – consider sorting out stuff you can do something about from stuff that is out of your hands. This works for me, may or may not be helpful, but I occasionally make a list of stuff I can change the outcome of and a list of stuff I can’t. It doesn’t necessarily stop me from worrying, but it does help dial down the anxiety a bit.

One other thing: it sounds as if a couple of things on your list will be sorted one way or another in a week. Those deadlines do make for a lot of tension. If the house move and the interview were both done, do you think your stress levels would be lower?

One other thing: it sounds as if a couple of things on your list will be sorted one way or another in a week. Those deadlines do make for a lot of tension. If the house move and the interview were both done, do you think your stress levels would be lower?

That’s true, provided they go as they should I should be clear of them in about a fortnight. Time has a great habit of slowing down when you’re impatient like me!

Again, thanks for your helpful words everyone. It means a lot. I will endeavour to return the favour when a fellow forumite needs it.

Funny you should say that…

I’m in the middle of a house sale and purchase. I’m moving to Scotland and it’s been a nightmare.

I needed to give date of entry on Friday so had to exchange contracts yet no1 in the chain his solicitor appears to be a huge spunkbubble. We have ended up raising the cash off friends n family to act as insurance to allow us to commit. I now have agreed to a DoE. Had an email this morning saying alls good almost sorted but still no exchange.

Without the backing I’d have lost the property so I move 0202 but might have to borrow that cash from the MiL which I really don’t want to do.

Works busy

Missus is stressed I’m stressed

Works shit

And the worlds mental and I dont genuinely ever remember being this pissed off.

Need some beer and normality in my life!

Sorry to hear that mate, I think sometimes we know things will work out but it’s getting ti the point where its ‘done’ that’s hard because it eats up your time and energy. Hopefully it’s a smooth and quick transition for you whatever happens.

Cheers boss. I’m staying very positive actually, it’s forcing me to leave what is essentially a sinking ship – it’s just a bit nerve wracking until I find something else.

Duncan – hang in there pal, it’ll be worth all the stress in the end

Totally with you OP – very similar situation without the house move. However, work occ health doc has cut my hours down to 1/3rd to try and help the post viral fatigue (I am 2 months the on from COVID) which is really hard when there is so much work to do, but I’m trying to stick to it to try and help the recovery as much as possible. Maybe speak to work for some better support, so they don’t risk losing you for months at a time.

I ended up speaking with a therapist today and said something similar about people having it far worse, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still just really really difficult.

Best wishes

You kind of are coping fairly well considering it all though. You vented. You had a lie down.
The leak will be someone else’s problem soon.
The house move will be stressful but most likely will happen and be sort of OK.
The professional interview will presumably rest on years of experience not just the last month.
The work stuff sucks and I’m sorry.
Can you get out for even 20 mins walk?
It stinks but long-term you’ll get through. Hang on in there.

^^ what Stripeysocks just said.

And I know what you mean about patience and time slowing.
I always try and have a goal in mind – something I know I’ll look forward to. Doesn’t need to be massive. It might be entirely self-indulgent (a glass of good red and a programme you’ve had to put off watching) or just a little task you relish because it’s a small and achievable goal that’s entirely doable but completely satisfying. I tend to keep a secret stash of spares that I know I’ll need for servicing things for these moments. If it’s all going sideways with a project at work, I know I can still knock off at 5 and sort out the failing battery in the handheld vacuum or hang that picture that’s needed setting up for a while. The littlest but most satisfying is making a cuppa for Mrs Udder. You get the idea – something that establishes it isn’t all just entropy and you can have a positive effect on your surroundings.

Just sniff the milk before you pour it in, in case it’s gone off.

I have avoided this thread for fear of adding a glib and pointless post but my neighbour of 20 years died at the weekend and my wife’s son, who is mentally fragile, had his 13 year old dog put down today. Neither immediately me but both hurt.

Go easy on yourself. Sometimes just go and take a whole day for yourself if you can. I can’t get respite because of Covid so need to be on the ball and on location 22/7 but sometimes I zone out now and feel like my mood flatlines for days at a time. I take 2 hrs to go for a random walk outside, a few times a week. I can walk around 7 miles in that time. And b r e a t h e.

That walk makes every bit of a difference. ‘Lifesaving’ even (however you wish to define that word) IME.