How do you take care of yourself when you live alone?

I feel like I can't take care of myself. I live alone. I've never had a problem before with being on my own. But now I feel like I'm suffocating and can't do it. I need some sort of comfort I don't think I can give myself.

I don't know what to do. It's too hard going through this all alone. Who else is alone?

I live alone except for my 3 year old that I have half the time. I find that I really get overwhelmed and often feel lonely because I don’t really have friends. This won’t help you but my kid is what gets me through most days. I do what needs to be done for her. Do you have any kind of support system around you?

My family is very dysfunctional. My grandma would do a lot for me, but only so much.
No friends that I could really talk to.
I feel, like you, overwhelmed with my situation and can’t see how it can end well.
I don’t feel I have a lot to hang on to in life

I often think of getting a pet, only I’m not sure I could afford it in the long run.

My dog costs us around $25-30 a month (food, shots, flea medication) but could cost more. If you have money Banfield has medical coverage starting at $32/month and it includes: Includes twice-yearly physical exams, routine recommended vaccinations, diagnostic testing, fecal exams, deworming treatments and unlimited office visits. I don't have banfield, I can't afford it but it's an option. So pets cost between <$25-$80 a month depending on what you can afford.

Most rescues include spaying and first round of shots. There is cheaper dog food than I get too. Smaller dogs and cats are less money monthly.

I think its important you have a pet. It's wise of you to think of the cost of a pet. If you can afford one and want one, it sounds like doing so may help.

I live with my husband and one family member. I am feeling overwhelmed with care-taking just now; yet, if I did not have people around me, I would have given up long ago. My depression just gets too severe , too often.

I hope you find answers.

Thinking of you.

WC

I also live alone and sometimes feel overwhelmed especially over holidays if I end up alone. In addition to getting a pet is there any way for you to get out and meet people? It can be very difficult to do when you're feeling isolated and all alone because it brings up vulnerabilities and the tendency is to isolate more.

I have lost some friends I thought i had due to illness and also do to isolating so now I am trying to rebuild a social life almost from scratch. Even one new friend, some one to meet for coffee and a chat can be a long way to dispelling the loneliness.

I am sorry that you feel that way. I can identify with that feeling of extreme loneliness.
One question: when you say ‘taking care of yourself’, do you mean financially or emotionally? My approach, since you asked, is the following: I have two jobs and I end up working about 10 to 12 hours/day. This is significantly more than what the married or livein couples (around me) do.
Physically: i try to workout four to five times a week and it helps with my depression and anxiety. I usually eat pretty healthy and clean (no sugar or food from a box) which help a lot.
Emotionally? I have no idea, really. I write and read a lot. I take long hikes in nature and I volunteer. I listen to podcasts that tell stories of those we know nothing about. I read about philosophy. These activities keep me grounded, humble and sane.
I don’t have any close friends. I moved around a lot, besides all my friends got married and started their new chapters and I never hear from them. I guess, I have gotten to used to being alone as life forced me into it. I know, I crave genuine relationships but I also know that it is very difficult to find and maintain. Most people don’t let others get into their circle. Especially if you are single and an outsider. So, I have been spending my evenings, weekends and holidays alone for as long as I can remember.

Yes I mean emotionally for the most part. And also physically in what I may end up doing. I feel stuck in a horrible job I have intense anxiety about all the time. It’s terrible and I just want to escape.

MatBel—I have found talking to a therapist is so helpful. She is helping with anxiety-provoking situations at work. I really couldn’t see how I was ever going to cope, but I am now.

This satisfies my need for human contact quite a bit as well.

Do you have any interests? I joined a local group I found on meetup a few years ago.