hi all

i'm stressed about getting vaccinated too. i'm not gung-ho about the vaccines but i will get it, bcause it seems best for my MH to have more confidence in getting out and about. still have mixed feelings and certainly havent rushed to be the first one getting it, as i was so unsure initially what it was all about. my gp has encouraged me to get it and he's a very sesinble guy, so alright, illl get it. No judgeements to anyone who feels differently - i see you and share a lot of ur reservations.

A vaccination seems hard to get thouh, but ill give it a go....

Hello everyone

Well we are in lockdown for at least a week. I’ve heard talk today it might be longer. Other than now we have only had one other week of lockdown.

I really feel sorry for those places that have had months of this. I am very much an “inside” person. Everything I love to do is done indoors so I thought I’d sail through lockdown. Wrong! Now that I know I’m not allowed to go outside I’m busting to get out!!

So many people have it so much worse, I feel guilty for railing against my detention. But there it is!

I have reservations about the vaccines but only because they’ve been developed so fast & not undergone the normal length of testing. However my husband has stage 4 kidney disease. He’ll need dialysis eventually but if he gets sick that will speed things up, so I have had both jabs.

Thanks for allowing to vent here. I really appreciate the opportunity.

Cheers to all, T.

l wasn't fussed , still not crazy about it at all wouldn't have even cared if l never got it tbh. No Covid anywhere near me in 18 mths. Ok l go to Melb but not that often and through all this only when they're open and all good. Odds of me being near the few people that might have it at the time and long enough to catch something are like a million to one.

But l dunno , things of the last few mths , bloody variants and God knows what else is coming , seems silly not to now. To boot l'd say the pharmacy 500mtrs down the rds doing them couldn't get much easier. Still can't be bothered and not keen though.

Just hope they don't end up having to jab us again every 5mins in the end for whatever the latest new one is. Tbh l expected this whole thing to fizzle this yr or next anyway, think the Spanish flu did that and we rarely hear of any of the others anymore either. Doesn't look like it'll be for awhile though now even if it does soooo , suppose l'll push myself through the door one day..

rx

hi all

thanks for sharing topsy

u are most welcome to vent here always and the commnity on principal will not judge - ur feelings are valid.

I am hoping to get vaccinated soon, but first need to secure a spot to do it.

I'm feeling really shaky today. All the news bombarding me is makig me sick, but I can't switch off. Social media checking and making myself ill with informtion i shouldnt be reading.

im angry, upset, powerless, hopeless, and confused. I don't feel like i have a safety net beneath me.

My MH services are limited over this time and i can't gather energy to keep reaching out.
I was going to start a really cool mentla health group this week but its been postponed.

Im having such a tough time thinking that weere locked down further.

hi everyone.

this is my first post here. i struggle with anxiety and self-worth. i have been away from my partner for lockdown (they live in melbourne and i live in regional vic) and have not been able to see them. the relationship is quite new. my anxiety keeps telling me they're going to leave me and that they won't want to see me after lockdown and that i'm not good enough for them, they are better off without me. i know it's all in my head but i keep going down a spiral and it is affecting me so much. i can't focus on anything, i feel nauseous all day and i can barely sleep.

sorry for venting. i just dont know who else to talk to.

I am like everyone else wanting these lockdowns and restrictions to be over so we can get back to normal. Each of us are affected in very different ways depending on our circumstances. Despite this circumstances the last 2 days have made me appreciate how important it is to follow the rules & advice to control the virus.

We are fortunate that the rules in Melbourne have stooped outbreaks spreading to our area. Yesterday my hsb had to go to emergency unexpectedly. I was so grateful to get the care we needed from staff not overworked or stressed due to covid patients or staff shortages. I felt safe. Today we had an appointment with a specialist and he will have surgery tomorrow.

Lets us all do whatever we can to stop the virus spreading including getting vaccinated when we can so we can get the things we need including proper MH & physical health supports, to be able to run businesses without the risk of being closed after becoming an exposure site, to be able to work or study without risking transmitting the virus and to be able to visit family & friends & enjoy our favourite activities without putting anyone at risk.

In the meantime let us do whatever we can to support everyone around us even if it is just wishing people we pass a good day or ringing someone who may be struggling. Hopefully any positive action we do inspires others to do something to support someone else. We all need as much support and encouragement to get through this difficult time.

hi ElizabethCP

thats beautiful and i love ur perspective

lessons to all of us in the past few days for sure

i feel a bit heartbroken now, i cant quite articulate it - i'm not good at change, at adapting, and accepting all this

every moment the landscpae changes and the rules. now we have a curfew.

I am grateful to those who have reached out to me, and i have tried, with advice from my case manager, to honestly tell them how i feel. It is hard. I'm embarrassed. I wish i could cope better. But i'm unable to process that the lockdown was extended by another 2 weeks, this lockdown that was meant to end 2 weeks ago anyway.

hard times.

First time poster!

Just feeling extremely flat after yesterday’s announcement of an extended lockdown!
what even is life anymore?
I feel like valuable years are being wasted and we will never get them back!
I’m planning my wedding for next year and I’m extremely nervous on where Victoria will be at that time, forever in lockdowns?

Things around the globe also have me feeling anxious, especially things happening in Afghanistan, it’s heart breaking! Especially for their women. Is there anything good happening in the world anymore? Look at the news and it’s just bad news all the time!

Im really unmotivated to do anything or keep up a healthy and active lifestyle. I just don’t know anymore! Just extremely flat!

I think I just needed to get this out somewhere. Thank you.

God l don't believe it.

Just heard from my Slovenian friend that lives in Spain. It's all open there's beach parties pubs and restaurants are full and tourists are all over the place. People are so sick of Covid they're just living life again .

Someone else just got back from a 2wk holiday in Italy , that';s open , still with 7k a day cases.

l dunno wth they're doing here.

The only thing l can see is at least they talk about the lives saved here which is a huge thing .

Well done! Keep us posted closer to it or if u are thinking of cancelling it. We are all a huge community trying to help each other do the right thing. We all know you can do it.

My best advise is to look at countries like the UK where the AZ was their main vax and look at them enjoying life again. Packed stadiums, people out enjoying life and hugging each other. I can't wait to be able to hug people again, sick of this 1.5m!

Watch the standing ovation at the tennis to Sarah Gilbert. It did give me a bit of happy tears considering what she has done for us.

Hi everyone

I'm so sorry to hear that some of you are doing so tough. It certainly isn’t an easy time - how’s that for an understatement! Today was definitely a struggle for me too. The only thing I did was have a shower! I get so mad with myself when I waste a whole day. I suppose tomorrow can only be better.

I’m upset about Afghanistan also. Firstly for the people themselves & secondly for all our defence people who served time over there. Everything they worked hard to establish has been obliterated so quickly.

I’d like to think things here & over there might improve soon. I’m not sure they will though.

Thinking of you all, T.

I googled about Spain. Very high vaccination rate with only 6% of the population refusing to get vaccinated.

They have had over 80 thousand deaths from covid however.

hey rx, crazy. every place so different. funny video recently from celeste barber about vaccinations here.. to explain situation to international ppl to understand whats happening in oz!

i dont evn know myself so found it helpful.

in America, most ppl have had covid... so hard to imagine... but the death toll is tragic. I dont know how to get my head around any of this. Im getting vaccinated soon as per doctor recommendations, hope it goes okay.

hi squire, it is hard to keep the chin up throughout cycles of lockdowns, unfathomable and confusing times... the sacrifices are enormous and ur anger is justified. it is so so crucial to prioritise mental health throughout this, to do whatever it takes to stay sane and mentally safe. and it isnt easy. i wish ppl spoke about this mor often, how important it is to take care of mental health during the pandemic.

It is sad but it is a pandemic, it's not over. Most of the world is in a transition from lockdowns to living with it.

The next few months will tell us where the world is going. Buckle up and let's hope for the best. I'm optimistic, as we can see here already how well vaccines are working in our most vulnerable.

In Melbourne we recently had a few cases in a nursing home and none of them died or suffered severly from it cause they were all vaccinated. There is definately hope and positive signs

Hi Hanna.

Yeah see that's the thing l suppose isn't it. So many countries have had massive death rates and what our guys are always on about here. Tbh l always have a little bit of trouble believing that;s what they're really concerned about here though tbh .

Hiya sleepy , yeah it is isn't it. Can't get my head around any of it anymore but here l can't help but think it's all just the good old Oz gov nannyism though these days tbh. Good luck with your vax , me too soon , well as soon as l can push myself to go do it .

Ho al/ Yeah the Uk have been through a lot through all this but thanks the Gods they're all seeing the sunshine now eh , gives us all hope too.

rx

Hello. I'm relatively new to the forums and had been reading everyone's posts about the pandemic and their personal viewpoints:: fear, optimism and others things. Mmmnn. It's can be a rather conversational thread be to be on. I've read so much about vaccinations that i will add that I haven't had any vacs yet. Being so undecided isn't a pleasant situation to be. I really don't know what to do. Have done heaps of research about the pifzer / astrazenca/ moderna. Each of them has side affects in form or another. No, I'm definitely not an anti vaxer and do care for my well being as well as the well being others. I live right amongst of severe lockdown with curfews in Victoria.

Thank you for those words ‘together’. I think it’s important to realise we aren’t alone. I feel the people in my life want the best for me but I still feel alone cause I react so differently to how they do- it’s hard for me and my close ones to understand each other. I don’t get why they are so carefree and they don’t get my anxiety. I’m glad though they don’t have anxiety-wouldn’t want anyone to have it.
I’m booked for Friday 3rd September. I’ve counted the days to it, added 6 weeks for possible blood clots, then 6 weeks til the next one ( if it’s not given earlier which actually would reduce the length of my focused anxiety ) then 6 weeks for blood clot fear taking me to 7th Jan when I can breath again. This is the mindset I must get out of. Ha, if it were so easy lol. My anxiety of worrying of what can go wrong goes back as far as I literally can remember. I can recall such anxiety from around 6 years old. I’ve been doing it for near half a century. I’ve had a few periods of carefree times ( carefree in relation to my normal days) in my years. I do laugh. I do enjoy my life but I get so tired from the cloud. It does impact my life so much.

Hope your day is a relaxing one.

hi Ezzi, thats okay to be scared, i feel the same.

its important that no one here attacks each other for being unsure etc, and tries to convince others to agree with them. honestly, have empathy to all those who are struggling wht the choice.

i hear you ezzi, thats okay to be unsure and i hope no one will judge or scream, as this thread has at times gone into judgemental territory, there re many who support, care and are open to support ppl in the covid times, which is what the thread is for!!

Hi Sleepy21

Yes, I too don’t judge if people vaccinate or not. If you do decide to follow your Drs advice and get a vaccination I’m guessing after it’s all done you will feel relief. Least that’s what I'm hoping for myself. Once that injection is in it can’t come out, so it has to be forward and on steps. I am stressing about it big time as I guess you’ve sensed. Least here we have the sounding board without judgement about decisions. Treat yourself well .

thanks needleina,

when ppl have fears/worries/concerns there is usually a reason.

Today i got so angry and upset at a rude tradesmen banging on my door - so it could be lookd on like i am weird or out of control, but really ive had bad PTSD and get scared about ppl in my home.

If ppl listen enough and try and understand different view points, with respect, everyone will feel safer.

I hope i do feel better after the jab, its booked for a few weeks out so i havent thought about it too much but before it itll likely hit me.

Hello Needleina..

I was so scared of getting the vaccination..my poor Dr..everytime I made an appointment to it I backed out...that’s was 3 times..then I made a promise to my Dr..That next appointment I will get in....Not one to make promises lightly...I did have it..and I do feel better within myself knowing that it’s in my system now and not coming out...It’s been just over a week since I had my first jab...first thing I said was yay I done it....It is scary but more scarier is the COVID virus...but it up to each individual as to if they want it or not...I have underlying health issues so it was better I got the jab.....still one more to go in November...

Sleepy, I’m sorry that happened to you...It would have been frightening to have someone knock loudly on your door....I hope your okay...

I can’t have anyone I don’t know in my house unless I have someone I know and trust with me....

Hugs dear Sleepy and anyone who needs one..🤗

Grandy..