Advice | Dear Amy: “I am stuck in a deep hole. I didn’t think the covid lockdown would affect me much because I am an introvert and a homebody, but I am finding it difficult to make myself leave the house.”
One factor is that I moved to a new town just a couple of months before covid hit, so I don’t have any local friends. I am retired, so I don’t have any work buddies. I know that joining groups is a good way to meet people.
My husband sometimes suggests we go somewhere, but when I think about going out my stomach tightens, and I feel like I want to cry. How do I get past this?Your recognition that this is a problem, and your desire to change your situation, are very good signs that you can creep out of this hole. You’ve already taken the first step! Cognitive behavior therapy offers useful techniques to overcome anxieties.
I suggest that you let your husband plan a simple outdoor outing for just the two of you. Pack some snacks, drinks and two lawn chairs. Drive to a local park and sit together, outside, and simply enjoy the passing scene. Breathe through your symptoms upon leaving the house. If you feel like crying, go ahead and let the tears flow.If you have one successful outing, you can build upon that by gradually increasing the distance and variety.
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