It is still not 100% safe as I have allergic reactions to many common things. The smell of many things can nearly kill me. Things like plastic, fuel, spices, ink, flowers, scented personal and cleaning products, smoke, new carpet and furniture, formaldehyde, and much more. Then there are my food allergies which makes eating out really difficult and at times impossible.
This becomes even more frustrating during winter. Some local people still have wood fires and there are often bush fires close by, which means there is a lot of smoke. Then there are the strongly scented cleaning products that some neighbours use, so there are many times when I have to shut all windows and doors to remain safe. This usually only lasts a few hours, but at times it goes on for a few of weeks.
Despite this, I still need to go out into the community to do my grocery and general shopping, and to get some human contact. I live alone so the silence at times can be deafening. There is only so much TV one can watch, radio and music you can listen to before it sends you crazy. Talking to myself is nearly an everyday occurrence, and yes I do answer myself too! Spending so much time inside by myself I can easily slip into depression.
So what I have to do is find a compromise. I need to spend time outside in the fresh air and sunshine – which only 10 minutes a day before 10 am helps with depression. I often go to the beach where the air is usually clean and fresh and go for long walks before the day gets hot. I do my shopping when there are fewer people around, and have a room where I can de-smell anything new I buy before I use it. If it weren’t for these activities I probably could go for months without leaving my home. However, in taking the risk and going out I regularly meet people whose name I often don’t know nor do they know mine, but they are familiar faces that I recognise and people I converse with in a socially familiar way.
I also spend time talking to neighbours whenever I bump into them. My little garden that I care for, also gets me out of the house from time to time. I spend a lot of time, sometimes hours in a day, talking to family and friend on the phone. The internet is another forum that helps me keep in contact with family and friends – even some from overseas who I have never personally met. One of my grandsons told a friend once that in his house lived his mum, his brother, himself and Granny – because she is always there on the phone or Facebook with us!
Getting understanding from others helps a lot when dealing with the stress and frustration of not being able to go out. If you constantly have people saying why don’t you do this, or go there, or try this, or eat here or there, it can make you feel like you can’t do anything, you can’t go anywhere, you can’t eat anything (all negatives) and it can cause significant depression. However, when others around you understand your problem and are considerate about it you can do things, you can take risks – but your friends have to be prepared to go home at the drop of a hat, if necessary.
Just recently I went to see a movie with a friend. She had already gone to the place and found out what she could for me. On the day we met out the front, went in together, and she chose seats well away from where everyone likes to sit (something she had found out). The movie was nice, and although I didn’t talk to anyone but my friend, just being around others made me feel like I was part of a group. It filled a little whole that was in my life.
So the next time you meet someone who is housebound for any reason, try to show some compassion, because you really don’t know what that person is going through or how close to breaking point they may be.
Until next time – remember, safety first!