[lunaticfringe]

For those who are on SSI or SSDI, how do you maintain some sort of structure during the day and stay busy enough? I know I should pick up some sort of hobby but nothing interests me right now except living in my manic fantasy world. I try to get exercise when I can but I find that most of the day I'm doing...well, nothing.

[wiretwister]

can you drive , could you volunteer somewhere a few hours a week....

[Nammu]

Volunteering is good, I've volunteered at the public library, the no kill animal shelter , NAMI, PAMI, battered woman shelters. Various places back in the twin cities, like booths at the fair, booths at the international festival, music festivals in exchange for tickets to get in, on SSDI my money is limited so by volunteering I give time and get to do fun stuff for free. If your in a low grade manic type state this also burns off energy.

[lunaticfringe]

Thanks, I'm going to look into volunteering at my local animal shelter now. It's just hard because I think I have a small phobia of other people...other than a select few people I've known for a long time and who I feel safe around. I'm just scared people will judge me or think I'm strange or something.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Volunteering. I help at my church and a grass roots organization as well as eastern star.

I sometimes dog sit if I feel level enough to handle the stress. I try to do hobbies too but sometimes lose interest so I stop it for a while and come bk to it.

[Nammu]

When I volunteered at the animal shelter I worked in the critical care unit which meant working in a room by myself. I took care of the sick puppies, kittens and cats. Most of the direct to animal care is done without needing to interact with people.

[gayleggg]

I'm having the same trouble of filling my days. I have hobbies but sometimes they are just not enough, such as I love to draw but hand tremors caused by medication have stopped that. I bought a coloring book but even that I shake to much to do. Anxiety and location keep me from volunteering. My days are spent watching tv and time spent on the internet. I'm getting bored and restless.

I think that volunteering would be an answer if only I could get past the anxiety which is part of the reason I'm on disability. It's an endless cycle. Thank goodness for psychcentral to give me a place to be.

[lunaticfringe]

I'm in the same boat Gayle. I also suspect that I am undiagnosed ADD which I think keeps me from doing a lot of things. It's very boring and lonely and I also get extremely restless. It's no way to live when you don't trust yourself and when each day you're just simply trying to get by. I pray this won't last forever. I really hope that one day I can be more functional.

[Crazy Hitch]

I'm not personally on SSDI but I wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know I'm thinking of you and I hope you have some strategies in place based on some of the responses that have been given to you here

[raspberrytorte]

Do you like kids? Maybe you could babysit? Our babysitter is on SSI. That's why I just thought of that.

[BipolaRNurse]

I'm still trying to figure this one out for myself. I've only been on SSDI for a couple of months but have been out of work since April of last year. I still need to find SOMETHING to do because I'm too young to just sit around waiting to die. I also can't do physical work so that gets in my way almost as much as the bipolar. This is a good discussion, please keep the suggestions coming!

[Nammu]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I'm still trying to figure this one out for myself. I've only been on SSDI for a couple of months but have been out of work since April of last year. I still need to find SOMETHING to do because I'm too young to just sit around waiting to die. I also can't do physical work so that gets in my way almost as much as the bipolar. This is a good discussion, please keep the suggestions coming!

Yeah, do keep the ideas coming.

I'm in the same boat bipolanurse with physical limitations now and looking for new ideas. The library and animal shelter became too much and now after years of barely watching TV it's become a constant companion along with books and the computer....there just has to be more. I did find a senior citizen center with excersises for those with limitations but the social aspects are hard. the anxiety from that has kept me from going lately but the excersises did help me feel better physically.

There's book clubs and other things at the library too for those that can take the social part.

[lunaticfringe]

I'm thinking about going back to school but I'm going to wait until I'm really stable and I know for sure that I can handle it. School is also difficult because of the social aspect and is just stressful in general, but would be a good pursuit and use of time.

I don't know if anyone else is like this but most of the time I don't know what to do with myself, there's too many choices, too much to get done around the house, etc so I just do nothing. I guess I get overwhelmed.

[~Christina]

Be mindful about going back to school. I know someone on SSDI for Bipolar and upon review it was found she was attending college and it was there thinking " if you can go to school fulltime" you can work. Yes trust me they will know if your in school.... Gotta love how your SS# can track a huge portion of your life.

She lost her benefits.

I am still trying to find a routine myself.

[Nammu]

I tried to go back to school and the department of rehab said in order to get help I needed to go full time which I couldn't handle! How stupid is that? Both SSDI and the DARs get federal money but the DARs is controlled by the states. You would think they would want to help people get jobs. I did finally get help after a few years of fighting with them and the ticket to work started, then my back gave out. I still wish I could find some kind of work to do and have a purpose beyond being a daughter, a mom and a grand mom.

You could take on low-stress self-paced jobs on the web like writing or editing for a company like CrowdSource or find work over the internet with a company like Upwork. The pay is going to suck, but you don't want to exceed SSDI's SGA threshold of $1090 a month.

[Crazy Hitch]

Good point about not exceeding the SSDI's threshold Lefty

How would you like to buy an 8?

[Crazy Hitch]

On a serious note lunaticfringe, I'm a firm believer that laughter truly can be the best medicine sometimes.

I'd recommend some comedies.

Jim Carey's always a winner.

[Victoria'smom]

What about finding a pottery painting place. Usually they have some things under $5 and you can spend all day there. They usually have a day every week that the siting fee is reduced or free if they even have a sitting fee. Our house is decorated with 6x6 tiles that look like canvases. What about joining a book club or two? Comic shops usually have board games or card games going on during the day as long as your willing to learn. Early bird matinees can be as low as $4 and there's always bingo for $5-10 admission if you like that. There's always the option to go to the mall and try on clothes that you never could afford . Look into your community center.

[LettinG0]

I work (and it takes everything I have everyday just to manage it....so I just crash when I get home)....but my ex-husband is physically disabled (we live together so I can take care of him --- that is a whole other discussion )
but he is very isolated and has nothing to do...only ever watches tv or sits on front porch. And, I am usually too wiped out physically......or too busy trying to manage my own issues....that I don't even try to find things to do with him, etc.

Anyway, I am watching this thread to see if I can come up with some ideas for us, as well. Unfortunately, we live in a very rural area with minimal resources and activities available..

Thanks for the thread, lunatic, hope you get some ideas too!

[StressCadet]

I've been on SSDI for about 8 years. In addition to Bipolar, Social Anxiety, and Panic Disorder, I've also got type 2 diabetes and other physical issues. My family frequently asks what I do all day, and if I get bored.

When I was working, I just wanted to be at home. In that regard, I am thankful every day that I don't have get up and go to work.

As far as staying busy, I love to watch documentaries on cable. I spend a lot of time on the internet reading about things that interest me. I also play the guitar. I have played for many years, and can always find new things to learn. Learning a musical instrument can be both challenging and satisfying. At some point you can use your creative side to start writing music. I find that "time flies" when I'm on the guitar.

I also have 4 cats. That can take some time every day, plus it helps me to be responsible for them. I like the ideas to volunteer for a cause that's close to your heart. For me, that would be working with shelter animals or something similar.

I don't drive anymore after a very bad wreck, so I'm sort of stuck here. If I do start to get cabin fever, I'll get someone to take be shopping for electronics or musical equipment.

I hope you find something that interests you and you find satisfying !

[cakeladie]

I have the same issue. With me it's chronic pain from fibro, RA, lupus to name a few and seizures. I never know if I am going to be up all night from pain or have a seizure.

I knit a lot and I have an embroidery sewing machine that when I feel up to it I make dish towels. I also read a lot.

If you can write you can make minor money and get free stuff as a 'mystery shopper', a goofy euphemism for a clandestine customer service auditor. A company will hire you to sample a client company's goods or services, then fill out surveys or otherwise evaluate the experience.

You can sign up to have stuff sent to you, i.e. ProductTestingUSA, or do walk-in audits of stores, restaurants and other service providers for a company like Insight20 in Hawaii.

I know people who get paid to fly from HNL to New York, Australia and Japan just to write reports about the in-flight service. What they're actually paid might work out to less than state minimum wage, but they're bored and like to fly around.

[lunaticfringe]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Be mindful about going back to school. I know someone on SSDI for Bipolar and upon review it was found she was attending college and it was there thinking " if you can go to school fulltime" you can work. Yes trust me they will know if your in school.... Gotta love how your SS# can track a huge portion of your life.

She lost her benefits.

I am still trying to find a routine myself.

Very strange. I've never heard of this before. A good friend of mine has been on SSDI for bipolar for years and goes to school full time. Maybe he's on SSI? I'm not sure. But that is messed up either way. Going to school and taking one or two classes is way different than working at a job.

I'm coming to find out that being on SSDI is a blessing and a curse.