This is surely not mental illness but I don't know where to post it

[bucolic_frolic]

Is the world slowing down? My internet traffic is falling. The sites I go to, even DU, traffic is down. My bucket list of obscure things to buy is almost empty. I'm not finding things.

Maybe it's just that post-pandemic, we're sort of in a period of time like that now, people are headed out into the real world? Because store traffic seems ok, stores that were comatose are operating again, there are no 'bouncers' at the doors counting traffic anymore.

Or are people more on Facebunk and using their smart phones. I'm a little late to that game but I'm catching up.

Anyone with similar observations?

[BigmanPigman]

1. I think people are hesitating to go out

due to the changing Covid status in various communities. A lot of people are preferring to stay safe and not sorry later. Also many people are exhausted after 4 years of the fucking moron and are slowly recovering. People are feeling less anxiety and more contentment with Biden in charge. Many are quietly recovering and remembering what normal is.

[marble falls]

2. I've been in 'group' for just what you described now for several weeks ...

... I feel like the Pandemic and the one year+ of quarantine has underlined how unneeded I am. I live in Texas and I feel surrounded by Attila's horde. Nothing I do has any significance past the ferals I've been feeding for several years.

I have extreme anxiety over leaving the house. I finally have gotten to Houston to visit my mom for the first time in two years (there right now) and it was tough.

My wife has booked flights for us to Alaska at the end of August and at this point, I just do not know if I can do it or not.

I've come to the conclusion I never ever knew how much I thought I did and that the the sense of being in control I used to have, was an illusion.

You are not alone.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. I'm exploring these thoughts as the weeks roll by, control is a useful framework

I wouldn't call it isolation or alienation. It's more subtle. Life is based on risk and numbers, but no one seems to care. Deeper truth behind the headlines? No one has a clue. Though that's unfair because many here on DU do know most of what's happening. But I feel I can't do much about it, even if there were days of discussion and planning. So onward I trudge.

Always enjoy your posts!

[marble falls]

5. It is the subtleness that strikes me, too. The only thing we can do work through it ...

... thank-you for your kind consideration. You noticed we end up on a lot of the same threads. Gives me faith - none of us are ever totally alone.

[applegrove]

3. I was out at a restaurant twice this week. One told us they were hiring

because indoor dinning was going to start. It is so nice to hug family. I hope this is long term and not just a reprieve.