Hi Gerber,

Sorry to hear things are so hard right now. Do you have friends you can contact at all, even if you don't talk about the issues that are on your mind at the moment? Sometimes it can help just to be around others when you are having a difficult time.

Distraction can help as well. Going for a walk can help, as you described, whether you walk the dogs or not. Other ideas might include going to the local library to hang out, or a coffee shop - get a coffee drink, or a cup of tea, and hang out with today's paper or do some journaling. You can do some things like play solitaire, or do crafts if you enjoy them. If you enjoy music or watching movies on the television, sometimes there are good movies on the weekend, or you can borrow a movie (you can do that at your local library, for free! or visit a local movie-rental store). There are good puzzles in the daily papers if you like doing puzzles, and you get the paper. If there is a mall in your area, and you enjoy window-shopping, you can walk around and maybe get a soda or something. There are lots of ways to use distraction, and sometimes it can help a lot during difficult times.

Even if talking to the substitute therapist sounds scary, it *is* still a possibility - it is still an option that exists, and so is calling a crisis hotline or going to the ER if things get too bad. If you attend a house of worship, you might also contact your minister for support. And you can continue writing here.

Please take extra-good care of yourself....and be safe.

Take care,
ErinBear