The Cellar - View Single Post

Sundae · 09-13-2007, 04:35 AM

I am now getting my benefits through regularly every two weeks, although my budgeting still leaves a lot to be desired. I'm not paying my share of the bills yet - although my half of the mortgage is paid for me - it would be very tricky if I had to. I've always defended people living on benefits against those who suggest it's living off the fat of the land. I'm glad I did now - it would be vey hard if I didn't have a solvent and understanding friend as a landlord.

I now get 1/2 price travel on buses and trams - 50p a journey, with a cap of £1.50 per 24 hours (all done electronically by swiping a card). This is marvellous and I've been learning the local bus routes. Once I get a new battery charger for my camera I promise I'll take some clips for you.

I'm still up & down mood-wise. find it hard to be in crowds, to feel confident I've done something simple like got the right bus-stop and some days it takes me til 14.00 to get the motivation to do something like load the dishwasher or go to the shops. Some days however I get up at 09.00, have a bath, pack a lunh and a book an hit the town.

Eating is still tricky - I often survive on two meals a day -one of which is a smoothie for breakfast. I can certainly stand to lose weight, so it's not a symptom that worries me. Sleeping is dreadful though Awake til 02.00 or 03.00 most nights and rarely doig anything other than dozing after 07.00. I had some occasional use sleeping tablets from my GP, but they worked so well I took them every night and some afternoons when I needed a break from being me. I daren't ask for more too quickly!

I was brave yesterday and asked about volunteering in a local charity shop. The manager nearly bit my arm off, but when I looked at the application form I realised I needed a letter from my GP to say I'm fit to volunteer (as I'm not fit to work full time) and a ref from my previous employers - these are the people that took a week just to put a payslip in a letter and post it. I'm still going to do it, but it will take longer than I thought.

My alcohol counsellor wants me to do some group work. Bleurgh. My HM agrees with her. So that's the next unpleasant step. I'm going to call today about going a local CBT group - honest. And leave the group alcohol counselling until I've started that. I just doubt I'll appreciate sitting round with a group of (other) losers talking about drink. I hated Weight Watchers for goodness sakes!

I think that's it, all updated, thanks for having me.

09-13-2007, 04:35 AM	#120
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I am now getting my benefits through regularly every two weeks, although my budgeting still leaves a lot to be desired. I'm not paying my share of the bills yet - although my half of the mortgage is paid for me - it would be very tricky if I had to. I've always defended people living on benefits against those who suggest it's living off the fat of the land. I'm glad I did now - it would be vey hard if I didn't have a solvent and understanding friend as a landlord. I now get 1/2 price travel on buses and trams - 50p a journey, with a cap of £1.50 per 24 hours (all done electronically by swiping a card). This is marvellous and I've been learning the local bus routes. Once I get a new battery charger for my camera I promise I'll take some clips for you. I'm still up & down mood-wise. find it hard to be in crowds, to feel confident I've done something simple like got the right bus-stop and some days it takes me til 14.00 to get the motivation to do something like load the dishwasher or go to the shops. Some days however I get up at 09.00, have a bath, pack a lunh and a book an hit the town. Eating is still tricky - I often survive on two meals a day -one of which is a smoothie for breakfast. I can certainly stand to lose weight, so it's not a symptom that worries me. Sleeping is dreadful though Awake til 02.00 or 03.00 most nights and rarely doig anything other than dozing after 07.00. I had some occasional use sleeping tablets from my GP, but they worked so well I took them every night and some afternoons when I needed a break from being me. I daren't ask for more too quickly! I was brave yesterday and asked about volunteering in a local charity shop. The manager nearly bit my arm off, but when I looked at the application form I realised I needed a letter from my GP to say I'm fit to volunteer (as I'm not fit to work full time) and a ref from my previous employers - these are the people that took a week just to put a payslip in a letter and post it. I'm still going to do it, but it will take longer than I thought. My alcohol counsellor wants me to do some group work. Bleurgh. My HM agrees with her. So that's the next unpleasant step. I'm going to call today about going a local CBT group - honest. And leave the group alcohol counselling until I've started that. I just doubt I'll appreciate sitting round with a group of (other) losers talking about drink. I hated Weight Watchers for goodness sakes! I think that's it, all updated, thanks for having me.