Hey, doing better already here. (At least no longer sick) Although I still have frequent days where it seems like I cannot get anything done.

I think a big part of the problem for me is that I don’t really allow myself enough rest. Even when sick, I tend to try and rest by playing games, watching movies or reading stuff online. But if I can manage to just stop myself and do nothing (really nothing) for 30 minutes, that seems to help so much more.

I hope you find a way to get up and running again so you can prepare for your concert and trip. But it’s also fine if you don’t, I think. You will get through it either way, good luck!

I realise that a big part of the difficulties I experienced was because I never really took a moment to sit still and check whether what I was doing made sense. Like, is this actually what I want to do, is this even good for me? (mentally and physically)

I finally got the time to think a bit, and it made so much difference. At the beginning you still feel a lot of pressure from yourself, because obviously there is a financial part to it. But even beyond that, I noticed I always wanted to be doing something productive (Like doing exercise, making better food, learning some skill, etc.)

After a while (and doing a bit more meditation), the perspective started to shift and I started to realise that most things are much more bearable, if not even fun, when you start just taking your time, not rushing yourself, not trying to optimise everything. This applies to work, but also hobbies, like gaming and browsing the internet. Even gaming becomes stressful if you are always looking for the next goal, the next target and your start filling hours upon hours with that activity.

Talking with other people seems to put this into perspective. It’s so easy to tell somebody else to not worry about something and take it easy. But then you realise that they could give that same advice to you and it would still apply. Sometimes just acting/talking towards yourself with the same concern and compassion that you show other people (even strangers) can be so helpful.

Thanks man. Ended up going and it was really nice to share experiences and frustrations. Glad I decided to go.

I actually went today. It was nice. It’s surprising how respectful and accommodating everyone was. I’ve never really experienced something like that with people at work and such.

Yeah, I very much tend to overthink and think in terms of worst case situations. Strange thing is that, even when I know the worst case is not really an issue, I still feel like it’s so hard. Especially in social situations I can never really get rid of that little panic/tension that seems to stay present.

Thanks, I definitely know the feeling of delaying reaching out. I’ve basically dealt with all my issues on my own in the first 20 years of my life, even didn’t really talk to family about it. (didn’t really talk in general) And I’m more and more aware of how difficult i’ve made things for myself by doing that. Not that it’s easy, but everytime I talk about it, it’s useful in some way.

During the past year, my favorite food has become greek yoghurt with cruesli (and sometimes jam or honey). It’s so easy to prepare and (I feel) still relatively healthy.

Thanks. I feel like the most difficult thing to deal with is that while sick, I just can’t shake this continues bombardment of pains and discomfort. It makes it so I can barely think, frequently can’t talk (because I can’t focus on the words people say, or can’t arrange my thoughts to talk)

It almost seems like a lot of activities that I used to dislike (going outside, visiting friends, doing sports) are solely because I have once done them while being sick. And the discomfort I felt was so bad that I permanently associate those feelings with those activities.

I now realise that this is not the case, and I should not push myself too much. But my body still seems to react heavily, even though I rationally know I should just take time to rest and it will pass.

Thanks, sounds interesting, I’ll check it out!

Usually i’m kinda fine with being dirty for a while. Although being overly sweaty can be a bit uncomfortable. I think my partner is bothered more by this. Especially if the apartment gets dirtier than usual. (I normally do the cleaning and cooking)

It’s a bit strange actually. I know that it’s ok to order food or eat out somewhere nearby when I’m sick. But at the same time, I don’t really have the capacity to make a choice, and even feel like I shouldn’t do it (because it’s less healthy, more expensive) Maybe it’s because anxiety gets stronger when feeling sick? Not sure.

I would love to watch some show or read a bit when sick. But often my eyes become dry and hot when sick. Combined with a headache and suddenly I don’t enjoy it much anymore. Maybe I should consider listening to some podcast or something. But I don’t do that usually, so no idea where to start and searching for something requires looking it up on my laptop, which brings me back to my dry eyes and headaches.

Maybe I can prepare something next time. Any suggestions for things that don’t require my eyes?

Chicken noodle soup or chicken and rice soup

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll try that. Usually I feel full very fast from soup. But I suppose I could put it near my bed and just eat it over a few hours.

Thanks for the tips.

I’m happy that my partner is still relatively fine and it helps a lot when they help me to keep resting and recover.

I sometimes find it difficult to listen to my body though. It seems like I often have a stomachache which makes me feel like I’m hungry, but at the same time too uncomfortable to actually eat.

I suppose this depends from person to person, but any recommendations for food that is easy on the stomach but would still give me enough energy for my immune system to do its work?

I have something similar at the moment. I first was thinking I was overworking myself, then I thought it was food poisoning or something, but it seems to be some kind of infection.

I’m slightly better now, but the past 3 days, I was basically bedridden. I couldn’t even make an appointment with the doctor or prepare food. I just can’t think anymore when I’m this sick. The physical discomfort is almost negligible compared to the inability to think and do anything anymore.

I am very much the same. When other people get a flu they still go to work and maybe take it easy. But for me I become incapable of doing basic things like cooking or taking care of myself. This obviously results in me feeling even worse.

It actually got bad enough that I’m already not working for a while anymore. I’m just scared of getting sick while employed because it will quickly result in long sick leave and eventually in me resigning.

I’m impressed that you can still go to work when feeling sick almost every day, I would not be able to do it.

Do you mean ‘pores instead of gills’ ? I think all mushrooms produce spores, no?

There is truth in that.

I actually like the things I do for work though. Or at least I like doing those things by myself for fun.

After having worked in the field for a few years, I noticed my enjoyment seems to have disappeared. Perhaps it’s the hours, or perhaps it’s the way that business can make anything boring. But I just didn’t like doing these things anymore.

And if I don’t like the things I really enjoyed in the past, then it feels like I will surely not like those things i disliked in the past.

I will still try though. But not easy to experiment with new things when you feel like you’re in survival mode all the time.

I don’t feel like my job was particularly difficult though. Usually the tasks are quite simple. But organization, prioritizing and meetings with others can strain my energy fast.

I’m not sure I could play videogames for 8 hours per day if I only could get a single break at noon.

I would be tired and unhappy all the same (even though it would be a bit better, since I can actually choose what games to play. At work I don’t really have any choice in my tasks)

Does this actually transfer to real life situations though?

I found one of the best ways to improve my working memory for certain tasks, it’s just to do those tasks.

Like, I used to be really bad at cooking, but in the past months, I’ve been preparing meals every day. And I noticed it’s easier to figure out what things to combine from the fridge, keep everything in my head and work on preparing the parts without having to rely too much on timers and recipes to know when and how to prepare things.

It does seem to help. I recently made a commitment to avoid digital media on my own.

I don’t think games or reddit or browsing is necessarily that bad in limited amounts. But it becomes too easy to start spending all your time on it because everything else feels too much effort and less fun.

I still allow myself any form of digital entertainment, but only when I do something together with friends. That way I still have some social contact, and I’ll have to do the effort to meet up if I want to do something fun.

When I’m by myself I’ll usually limit myself to reading, writing, going for walks, etc

Wow, that would be annoying. Currently I’m basically living in a studio, so would be difficult to avoid a specific spot in the home.