Feeling emotionally exhausted
Hello.
I would like to discuss this in regards to a loved one. He's been really struggling with lockdown mentally since it happened and between March and May, we haven't seen each other besides contacting through media. Since we met up again in May, things have gone fine but I noticed that his attitude towards things became more pessimistic. This was quite a gradual thing but it got worse in July, when he made jokes and innuendos that hurt me. During those times we were getting along fine but then we both later realised that things were going downhill. Whenever we were out in a busy area, he would complain constantly that nobody is social distancing, wearing mask, and just vents about covid stuff most of the time, and of course that increases my distress. He's done it that many times to the point when I just don't want to listen to the things he vents about anymore. There are some days when we would chat along happily about a different range of topics not covid related, and that's when I'm at my happiest. It's when he brings up covid and that's when I shut down.
In other situations, he mentiones that we haven't made 'any progress' in our relationship, and at first, he didn't mention it straight out of the bat. It was mainly hinted by him discussing how we were 'torn apart' during lockdown, and I felt him becoming increasingly angry at me. At times I felt like I was his personal/ emotional covid punching bag. I sometimes feel my anxiety levels increasing whenever I spend time with him because these things will be brought up.
I apologise if this post doesn't make sense. Thank you for those taking their time to read this, and I hope you are all having a wonderful day.
Hi @TaylorTheLemonSlayer
Yes, it is absolutely make sense. This situation has created anxiety on many people. I also experienced what anxiety feels like for the first time at the beginning of this pandemic.
It may make us unable to function well and eventually may affect our relationship with people.
The best way to cope up for me is to never read or watch news about it and avoid talking about it but follow the protocols. This way i can function well to do my everyday tasks and live life as normal as i can.
What's the best way to cope up for you? and how do you feel you can help your love one to cope up and stay hopeful for the better tomorrow?
@ouiCherie Hi. Sorry for the long response! I've mostly been lurking here but not posting anything.
Generally I enjoy exercising, reading and browsing the web, although I have recently considered volunteering with my work to fill in the time before I return back to part-time work in July, mostly to fill my time in.
I remember when I was beginning semester 1 in September last year, things were deteriorating in terms of covid (the unspeakable so to speak. I know -_-). Like, my mental and emotional health wasn't noticeably deteriorating until late September/early october, and from then, I just went downhill. It was a mixture of not leaving the hosue for uni, stress from the news, stress from the relationship and assignments. To be honest, the thing that kept me going was my masters swimming, but still I was getting anxiety attacks. It's like, no matter what I was doing to keep my mental health alive, I was still getting anxiety attacks partially because I keep thinking that I was doing the wrong thing.
All of these things took a toll on me. It got to the point where I became ill.
I do apologise for the rant. :/
I ended things with my ex on September 2022 when I realized that things were emotionally abusive. Looking back at this post, I didn't realize at the time he was emotionally abusive until I saw everything through clear glasses. I'm getting better each day.