As I’m sure we all are aware the job front is a rough one at the moment. My personal circumstance is a complex one, made even more complex by what MS brings me and it all ties together.
I fear that some day in the near future I will not have employment, even though I haven’t done work for approx two and a half months. Financially I am fine, still live at home (even at 26!). What I am having trouble coming to terms with is what to do with all this free time, so far I have managed but now it’s beginning to bite. Winter is approachicing which limits everyones activities, I think I can push through this as hard as I usually find it, but the big biter is working solidly for 8 years (Since 18, leaving education). Hardly, in my perception, having any free time has moulded me into someone who has only ever went to work, plonked myself an front of the TV, went to bed and repeated, leaving no room for expansion, friends have been and gone in this time too. What I’d really like to hear is how you guys in a similar situation or have good ideas pass the time and cope. In work it’s always something I thought I’d be able to do but now in this situation it is so much different.
Snap! I can really relate to your comments. I’m 42 now and I put myself up to be ill health retired at 40. I to was concerned about what I was going to do. Work, friends, holidays & doing up a house in Sheffield, was my life until the MS slowly got me to a point of changing my ‘dream’ which became a nightmare prison in the final year.
Work really does have benefits and it take up a lot of your life, as you know, but it was getting way, way too much for me. So now I have a lot of time but I can’t do the things I want to do with it. Good old MS has made me housebound without assistance to get out.
Still I cope by trying to make my day structured, like, work. For example, have breaks/dinner, computer, excercise, reading, learning Spanish, amongst other things, at certain times during the day and week. I even get out the house once or twice a week with my lovely, wife.
Still it is tough and I keeping thinking of one of my old work words …adapt…Because, I think, if I don’t I would not be a happy bunny.
Take care, mate. You are not the only one on this journey of ours and we are all taking a ride through - it on different routes but the same destination. Gosh!
Hi Data! I too was 40 when I was forced to conceed defeat & retire from my beloved job. I had just graduated & was practicing as a palliative care dietitian. I was gutted when it all got too much, however somehow I have managed to fill my time so to speak. I admit sometimes I drive myself mad with the “if onlys” but I have a good quality of life, even in the “dark” days. Marty’s right, we have to adapt otherwise you will go mad!!! Good luck & Marty I love the last comment, how apt!!! Tracey xx
Im used to being at home, Ive been a carer since the date dot. Ive found planning challenges daily then sticking with them. If you have a scooter and a bright day, go out to your local shop and hunt for bargains. If you dont look you wont find. Then on bad days, do some research youve always wanted to do, or read something interesting. Then there is making up a new friend network to exchange ideas, there must be lots of others in the same boat as you.
Hobbies - I knit, have a friend who crochets. What about improving some part of your life educationally? There are courses still available free or for a small fee.
What is going on locally, are there group activities, do you have an ms group where you could get involved in their committee, or do some fundraising activity.
Its amazing what we can find to do, then wonder where our time has gone. Some days I find being at home more tiring than at work. Dont seem to have achieved but achieved I have. What about writing down your achievements then youll realise you dont just sit and watch tv, youve done a lot more and be pleased with the result. Its all to do with changing attitudes and getting ones mind around a different way of living, where there should be less restriction and the world is your oyster.
To quickly update you infact the very next day I had a phone call from someone who I had not seen since August from our local MS group asking if I wanted to attend a gathering the next day, so I accepted, unfortunately the age gap between me and the local group is quite large but I manage. There is also a residential activity sometime in Nov which they ask if I’d like to attend. Why not. There is one this weekend meaning the Fri gathering is not happening while they prepare. So the local group is in full swing! I think I sound get involved there more.
The concesus seems to be learn something new, as to what that’ll be I need to put some thought into it. It’s a whole new world!
A Monty Phyton sketch taught me “Adopt, adapt and improve.”. Very true.
I have been unemployed since moving back to live with my mum and brother 6 years ago and I hate it. I have managed tio gain part-time work on the tills at M&S the past 2 christmases, but they don’t need me after XMAS so I have to leave which I hate doing but accept because I know it is only a temporary contract.
As well as spending my days looking for work I also volunteer with the local blind group and youth group for children with SEN which I really enjoy.
This also keeps me upbeat most of the time as I see adults and children with disabilities a lot worse than this damn MS.