[emgreen]

Since I'm a recovering alcoholic, I go to AA meetings when I'm not isolating...Well, I've been isolating for the past few months. When I feel hypo or "normal," I often bite off more than I can chew...forgetting that the bad times will return. In order to catch some karma, I befriended two old guys in AA who are 74 & 76 who recently lost their wives. I was calling them just about every day because they were very lonely & one of them is suffering from the beginning stages of dementia. I fear they think I just blew them off since I haven't called or done anything to help them out in a long while. I might just as well have left them alone in the first place. I feel like shite for being so thoughtless. Add that to my current baseline depression & my GF working such long hours, & I'm digging a deep hole for myself. It seems PC is the only place where I can maintain a semblance of emotional balance at times...Even though I'm just whining now.

[Wild Coyote]

We tend to be too hard on ourselves. Reach out to these 2 guys whenever you are up to it, I am sure they'd love to hear from you!

I sometimes get myself in too deep, momentarily forgetting the depression will, once again, take over -- and I feel I let people down, too.

We can only do whatever we can honestly do.
It's kind of amazing we still reach out and over-commit, isn't it?
We do it because we have it in our heart to give! This is a good trait, in my own very humble opinion.

WC

[~Christina]

I’m sorry your struggling

It sucks to feel like you have let people down. Maybe you can reach out and renew the support for you and them.

I too have really depended on PC for my support late, I hope to reconnect with some friends when I move back home in a little over a week.

[Nola0250]

I've struggled with this as well, maintaining friendships in the down times. It's really hard. But people generally cut us more slack than we expect. Just keep reaching out when you can, and try not to give yourself such a hard time wehn you can't.

[Guiness187055]

I am sure they will be happy to hear from you. They seem like they have been around the rooms along time and have seen plenty of people come and go.

[Unrigged64072835]

I've done that to friends as well. I find it easier to have friends online. I can at least do a small gesture to let them know I haven't forgot them.

[tecomsin]

I wish I had more friends and also isolate when I'm down, which is most of the time. I don't really feel connected these days and even on this site I feel alone most of the time except for a few occasions when people have reached out.

You will probably find acceptance from these two elderly men if you try to re-establish contact through AA. They may be really glad to hear from you. It could make their day. Try to think on the positive side.

[Asteya]

One of my New Years resolutions is to keep in touch with people better. I don't know why or what I'm afraid of, but I have dropped off the radar with some people...

[emgreen]

I noted that some of you have the same problem I do. I'm sorry. I , too, have lost many friends due to my disappearing acts when depressed. It's probably my fault for not following up when my depression lifts.

I went to my first AA meeting in months yesterday & cried when it came my turn to talk. It was so embarrassing. I don't think I'm ready to go back yet.

[Asteya]

I practice avoidance a lot, unfortunately, I realize it and know its something I have to deal with and I'm not getting any younger. lol.

If you still feel you can't communicate with others as much as you'd like, consider calling them briefly and just letting them know you are feeling unwell, so that's why you haven't been in touch, but you're thinking about them. Then when you do feel better and touch base again, hopefully they'll be happy to learn you are better. I've done that with a a good friend of mine. I remember months past, but she understood. If they don't, then consider them one-sided friends.

[pirilin]

Here's to you em.