[radiohead]

So I have spent 2 years spiraling into a pretty severe isolation. I am pretty cut off from most things considered normal.......(another thread reminded me). The past 2 months I have slowly gone on some medications and am getting my mind/body back together.........I am relatively OK with trying to tackle social things or just getting out.....

But where do you start?

THen trying to figure out where to start to reconnect with the outside world is very, very tough to do after months or years of some severe isolation. Where do you go to work......how do you get back into the swing of things with college..........where do you meet people or friends..........it's a really, really frustrating and even scary thing now.....at least to me.

It really does ****ing suck pretty bad. 2 years ago I had a great job, was going to school, had a couple pretty close buddies, and had a great girlfriend that I adored. Now I have no job, no schooling, haven't talked to those buddies in over a year, and I slowly just disconnected with my girlfriend and about 1 year ago just said I was done and stopped most all contact with her...........................now what?

 

[downbutnotout]

Although i've never had a girlfriend before, i have had a job and friends before.

I am also in the "rebuilding" process.

I'm at the point where i am going to have to do "exposure therapy" (having to go out more etc) seeing my councillor.

I'm not sure what i'm going to be doing, and i dread it.

I am actually scared just thinking about it.

There seems to only be one way back. And thats to go out alot :no

 

[Jerzy007]

I feel where your coming from, I've had to pick myself up numerous times after going on abandon building drug relapses where all I had was a crate and my drug for months at a time. Then kick, get out of rehab, and start all over. Being SA I really do not enjoy doing the recovery meeting type of things however, I finally found about 3 men who I trust enough to help me get well which includes tackiling my resentments and fears which always drive me away from people where I either try to control or dominate them, or depend on them too much...so keeping in mind today I am going to be a worker amongst workers, a family memeber amongst my family, and a human being (not doing..hehe) amongst human beings..its that simple..Thanks for touching base, I think by starting this thread you just got started on your journey. Much success to ya !!

 

[Elles Bells]

Hmm... yeah that's a tough situation. Do you still have the contact information of your friends/girlfriend? Maybe you could find them on facebook or something and send them a quick note asking how they are. I know it's awkward... I've cut off ties from friends before and it always feels strange trying to reconnect. I guess all I can suggest is to take baby steps. If you get a good response from one of your old friends, maybe they'd be interested in hanging out with you again.

For classes, perhaps consider taking a night class, or an online course? See how it goes. It may not be easy to get into the swing of things at first, but it will probably get easier with time.

I wish ya luck!