Trying to work at art…

At the Owen Project

There is a new community project nearby and I went up yesterday to have a chat and try and feel a bit more engaged with people. Various things are happening including knitting and crochet, crafts, painting, and writing. It got me out of the house and helped save money on heating. While I was there I did a sketch of a couple of the attendees.

They called me their resident artist which I thought was rather sweet, although there are lots of other people creating artwork there, so it’d not really an accolade I should accept. But it is giving me the opportunity to maintain my skills. I don’t shake as much when I concentrate.

Today was different, I went to my group meeting for my mental health, it’s another craft group, but after I’d had a bit of breakfast I felt really icky, I ended up coming home early, mostly feeling overwhelmed and tired now. But I must try and continue with art, it’s really the only thing that keeps me going.

Myself

Who do you spend the most time with?

It’s 6 months since he went (almost exactly). 6 months alone. Finding my way. The rest of my life? I was always with someone. Being a support and supporting. Now.. I see to myself and try and help others where I can.

When I do spend time with others it’s with good friends or members of groups that do activities I enjoy. But sometimes, I just want to be alone.

I guess I could live as a recluse, or alone on a desert island? I might not be good at finding food though. I would need someone to drop me off supplies or have a mild environment where plentiful food grew all year round. But how would I know what was safe to eat or drink? I’d need sterilising tablets or fire to boil water. Life isn’t simple when you are alone. Even in the simplest of environments. And when you live in an industrial society you are too estranged from real life and real survival skills.

My life is in a brick and mortar cave. I can survive here, but I still need to maintain it, look after it. Life is constantly changing. I appreciate company.

Ukelele band

Not a good photo as I was shaking too much, but I really enjoyed the music of Penkhull Ukelele Band that was on at the Beehive in Honeywall, Stoke-on-Trent tonight. My friend gave me a lift there and I met some lovely people. I was trying hard to think of things to talk about, and in the end I hardly stopped chatting. It’s been a long time since I’ve met new people and I kept trying to persuade them to join local choirs!

Loneliness is a strange thing, you can try hard to communicate with people, but sometimes it and anxiety make you hang back. If I’d been asked to go on my own I know I would not have gone out the house because I would have worried about how I looked, or what I would say. As it was having a friend for support gave me the confidence to try something new. I’m glad I went.

Delivery?

Do you ever get those emails that say your package is on its way? Or cards through your door saying you need to pay tax or excess postage to get your delivery? There are a lot of scams out there. The post card gets you to ring a premium telephone line, or the email tells you to click on a link, then they empty your bank account by persuading you to upload some app that allows the scammers to see all your bank details or gets you to move money into their accounts. It pays to be cautious…

I got an email today, my delivery is due. The thing is, I rarely get anything on line, I haven’t for months. I’m not expecting anything, and I’m certainly not opening an email from the supposed company. If someone delivers something I will be really surprised! Plus I don’t do online purchases anymore. So the email has been deleted.