Welcome to DS. Journaling is a great way to explore and collect your thoughts. I am sorry you are house bound for the most part. I'd try to get out and see what your body will handle. Do it slow and experiment with do simple stuff like a startbucks or coffee shop. And then expand from there. Take it easy. Take it slow. See what you can do.

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

Writing it out is the most important first step to help find your better balance.

Like Thor mentions, do small and simple activities to get out and about.

Going out to the docs and the stores is all I do at the moment. I do a lot of self entertaining by researching different things that sound and/or look interesting.

A short walk outside will give you something to observe and write about.

Make a list of the things you really want to do, places you really want to go, and then figure out a plan so you can do something.

And, it depends on what you consider that you are 'missing'. Once I wrote out what I thought I was 'missing', it helped me to choose what I really wanted.

Best wishes.

You’re blessed to have someone with you. I’d love that..

Oh, man, your post speaks to me. This pandemic has isolated us further and gives me anxiety about the world from watching the news, and anxiety about how mean people have been on various social media sites (I am taking a break from those). Today, I got myself to WalMart and walked around looking for a few cleaning items I can't find anywhere. I couldn't sleep last night so I crashed all afternoon but I thought I have to get out and do something normal and not be focused on my pain. I am going to suggest you do some groups on zoom. My public library book club meeting is now on zoom. Book clubs are very fun and one learns something. My church meetings are now on zoom. A support group for people experiencing chronic illness or pain might be in your area. Google and search and don't give up. One of my support group leaders said zoom is 80% as effective as in person contact in feeding our need to be around other humans. I do feel that way afterwards but I will admit there is still this kind of hollow empty feeling from not having in person human contact.

I almost envy people who actually enjoy teleconferencing, such as Skype, Zoom, et al. Almost. It took something as harsh as Coronaville's marshal law to even make me consider *wanting* to learn that style of socializing. I have hearing issues that make teleyaddahs an unpredictable problem for me and the talking heads are far from the most heart-warming social contact I've ever encountered. They are no substitusky for my live therapy support network. Triple so for my young foster charges who crave an honest shot at childhood. Our family is not at risk from The Virus, but we are at serious risk of being protected to death.

Vent vent gnarl gnash. . .

Onward to making the best of a bad situation. . .

Vent freely. Vent often.

The hard truth is that you really are missing out on life. I know that seems harsh, but you are missing out on life based on what other people define. I just stand in awe as some friends tell me about how they have sky dived, scuba dived and others have been to twenty or more countries. Another one has seen three quarters of our national parks. Good for them. I have not done any of these but I don’t get envious. I have my own definition based on what I can do and how much free time and money I have. I need to adjust and focus on other things. It is my sanity versus my outrageous desires out of hearing these adventures. I have learned to smile and appreciate a cup of coffee as I listen to the birds in the morning. There is always someone worse off than you, PurpleHippo13. But some of them might be enjoying the fresh air, whatever health condition they are in, food three times a day, clean water, things many people around the world do not even have. Brighten your life by celebrating even the smallest improvement in your condition and focus on yourself instead of others. Look around and you will be surprised how many blessings surround you.

First good luck and I hope you will find support here. Once Covid is done, could you try to travel to another country. We have a disabled friend and a group along with he and his wife went to Europe.