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I understand the cooking thing, it can just seem like too much effort day after day. How about picking one day when you feel okish and cooking a large batch of curry then freezing in portions. Then All you have to do is pull a portion out and reheat it with a ready made portion of cauliflower rice. Or a large cottage pie with swede mash and freeze in portions. Or buy a pack of nice ham or prawn cocktail and salad stuff….no cooking needed. Steak doesn’t take much cooking, salad is good with it. A good easy low carb meal for me is a butchers beefburger in a low carb roll with cheese, accompanied by coleslaw, minimal cooking.

Could you meet with just one friend and talk to them? Or do you have an Andy’s man club near you. A group set up for men to chat. I’m sure they would welcome you with no pressure.

Plus of course chat here, or just read with no pressure to get involved unless you want to.
 
IanBish said:
This isn't really shifting. I had a call with the GP today, and he gave me a couple of links, and signed me off for a week.

I know what I need to do, but can't sort of summon the courage to do it. It seems like there are so many barriers.

The one big thing for me is the waking up early, whatever time I go to bed. I don't have a problem with going to sleep, just waking up far too early. And I can't seem to go back to sleep afterwards either.

The cooking thing has pretty much gone out of the window, though I'm still trying to stick to low carb (<130g).

This working from home thing has taken its toll, I think, and I haven't connected with my friends. I'm trying to reconnect, but it doesn't always seem that easy. Shame is a big part of it, I think.

I know, when I've been with friends, that I've felt better. But it's difficult to explain your feelings to them.
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Reconnecting is difficult, speaking of feelings. And especially with fellow men for some reason, more so. Speaking about mental health is still taboo, while so much can be gained by openness.... But sometimes change comes slowly. All the same, a nervous system calms down a little when there are social interactions and/or being outdoors, generally... So maybe not pressure yourself too much, and just be around people or outside for a bit. You don't have to give chapter and verse if you don't feel like it'll help you, you could just go for a bit of pub time, or sit in a park with a coffee, or.... Anything. Something you feel comfortable with that doesn't feel like a mountain to climb, where you don't have to explain yourself in ways you don't feel like.

The sunrise was lovely this morning. I don't sleep well either, but that, at least, was a perk to the insomnia. I saw a pretty coloured sky, and some mist rolling over the street. No people in sight, which for me is a good thing (I do better with cats), but it did soothe my soul some just to see a pretty world, waking up slowly under my window. Take the little wins when anxiety gets too much. Shaming yourself doesn't help you whatsoever, especially if there's little to nothing to be ashamed about. Show yourself kindness, and try to find things to be grateful for in a day. Even if it's tiny, like a sunrise being rather nice, it helps a little. It doesn't solve everything overnight, but it might give a moment's relief.

Hang in there, eh.
Hugs,
Jo
 
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