OT: General OT Thread [NO POLITICS, RACE OR RELIGION]

[AussieBuck]

So, I got married last month. It was quite a whirlwind leading up to it, especially with omicron emerging, people cancelling travels, last minute dropouts, and such. It was all to be expected, and a miracle that this thing came together in relative harmony.

I thought that if there was anyone likely to catch COVID-19 at this thing, it was my bride and I. All the handshakes and hugs and close contact, with at least one moderate exposure to a confirmed case identified after the wedding. But we never did. We got tested three times after the wedding - one rapid test the next day (I had stocked up in October for my engagement ceremony), a PCR three days out, another six days out. Negative. Luck of the draw, I suppose. We were both boosted, so I'm sure that helped.

I am getting tired of this thing, though. Tired of wearing masks. Tired of worrying about considering whether to cancel plans to go to events because of this thing. Tired of having to postpone travels because of changing border restrictions.

My biggest annoyance right now is that our honeymoon is effectively on hold because our preferred destination - Bali - isn't letting in Americans right now unless they're on a business visa.

You really wanna hang out with a heap of West Australians?

[stellation]

So, I got married last month. It was quite a whirlwind leading up to it, especially with omicron emerging, people cancelling travels, last minute dropouts, and such. It was all to be expected, and a miracle that this thing came together in relative harmony.

I thought that if there was anyone likely to catch COVID-19 at this thing, it was my bride and I. All the handshakes and hugs and close contact, with at least one moderate exposure to a confirmed case identified after the wedding. But we never did. We got tested three times after the wedding - one rapid test the next day (I had stocked up in October for my engagement ceremony), a PCR three days out, another six days out. Negative. Luck of the draw, I suppose. We were both boosted, so I'm sure that helped.

I am getting tired of this thing, though. Tired of wearing masks. Tired of worrying about considering whether to cancel plans to go to events because of this thing. Tired of having to postpone travels because of changing border restrictions.

My biggest annoyance right now is that our honeymoon is effectively on hold because our preferred destination - Bali - isn't letting in Americans right now unless they're on a business visa.

You really wanna hang out with a heap of West Australians?

Watch on YouTube

[humanrefutation]

So, I got married last month. It was quite a whirlwind leading up to it, especially with omicron emerging, people cancelling travels, last minute dropouts, and such. It was all to be expected, and a miracle that this thing came together in relative harmony.

I thought that if there was anyone likely to catch COVID-19 at this thing, it was my bride and I. All the handshakes and hugs and close contact, with at least one moderate exposure to a confirmed case identified after the wedding. But we never did. We got tested three times after the wedding - one rapid test the next day (I had stocked up in October for my engagement ceremony), a PCR three days out, another six days out. Negative. Luck of the draw, I suppose. We were both boosted, so I'm sure that helped.

I am getting tired of this thing, though. Tired of wearing masks. Tired of worrying about considering whether to cancel plans to go to events because of this thing. Tired of having to postpone travels because of changing border restrictions.

My biggest annoyance right now is that our honeymoon is effectively on hold because our preferred destination - Bali - isn't letting in Americans right now unless they're on a business visa.

You really wanna hang out with a heap of West Australians?

Ha! I'm looking at Bali primarily because I've had several relatives visit there with rave reviews, particularly for the private villas. I think we'll enjoy that.

[LittleRooster]

Really sorry to hear that. Are you able to get back on it?

Thanks, appreciate it. Managed to see a doc this afternoon, they got me on something now. It's just very amazing to me when I look back and think not only decide to go off it when I did, but also that I didn't get back on it at any point when **gestures wildly everywhere**.

Sometimes, when you're in the middle of it, you don't even realize how much you're going through it. At least that's been my experience. I hope your new meds help you guide your mind back to firmer footing.

Hope the new meds help man and I’m sorry you’ve been going through it.

I suffer from anxiety myself, so if you find this works, please shoot me a dm, as I might be interested too!


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[jschligs]

Ha! I'm looking at Bali primarily because I've had several relatives visit there with rave reviews, particularly for the private villas. I think we'll enjoy that.

Bali looks incredible. Always been on my bucket list. We went to Barbados in Feb 2020 right before COVID hit and while it was nice, it was like most Caribbean places at the end of the day. You will love Bali and you’ll have to share pictures after.

[BUCKnation]

So, I got married last month. It was quite a whirlwind leading up to it, especially with omicron emerging, people cancelling travels, last minute dropouts, and such. It was all to be expected, and a miracle that this thing came together in relative harmony.

I thought that if there was anyone likely to catch COVID-19 at this thing, it was my bride and I. All the handshakes and hugs and close contact, with at least one moderate exposure to a confirmed case identified after the wedding. But we never did. We got tested three times after the wedding - one rapid test the next day (I had stocked up in October for my engagement ceremony), a PCR three days out, another six days out. Negative. Luck of the draw, I suppose. We were both boosted, so I'm sure that helped.

I am getting tired of this thing, though. Tired of wearing masks. Tired of worrying about considering whether to cancel plans to go to events because of this thing. Tired of having to postpone travels because of changing border restrictions.

My biggest annoyance right now is that our honeymoon is effectively on hold because our preferred destination - Bali - isn't letting in Americans right now unless they're on a business visa.

You really wanna hang out with a heap of West Australians?

Ha! I'm looking at Bali primarily because I've had several relatives visit there with rave reviews, particularly for the private villas. I think we'll enjoy that.

Haven't been there myself but know people who have and know a group that had plans to go right before covid. Those who went had a great time and its extremely cheap once you are there (kind of goes for most of SEA). The villas you seek are super affordable too. They did a good job keeping things clear from covid, especially early, so it became a spot for remote workers to go, that might affect prices slightly.

[vital_signs]

On the anxiety (and depression) topic, mine has been popping up hard lately. Generally leading to ugly booze binges. Cant help but feel that working from home for 22 months is contributing. Think these issues have slowly been creeping up on me and I've been just laying in bed lately with no desire to see people. Godspeed to everyone and their mental health.

[Iheartfootball]

There is no shame in using psychopharmacology, talk therapy, and a self-care routine to shore up our emotional health. In addition to the challenges of everyday life, the pandemic is/has been a collective trauma. I applaud everyone for helping destigmatize mental health, depression, and anxiety by openly talking about it. That's part of the solution.

[AussieBuck]

On the anxiety (and depression) topic, mine has been popping up hard lately. Generally leading to ugly booze binges. Cant help but feel that working from home for 22 months is contributing. Think these issues have slowly been creeping up on me and I've been just laying in bed lately with no desire to see people. Godspeed to everyone and their mental health.

100% working from home either suits you fine or is a **** horrible mental health trap. I'm going to be stuck at home for the next week but otherwise I put my suit on and get onto an empty train, go to the nearly empty city and work alone in my huge office and it makes a **** massive difference to my mental health even though I'm still essentially isolated and only talking to colleagues via Teams like if I was at home.

**** having work stress at home all the time, **** that in the arse sideways. Home is my retreat from it all.

[MikeIsGood]

I abso- **** -lutely love working from home. If I had my personal preference, I'd head to the office maybe 1 day/week or two, just to see people, but man I love it.

I get the sentiment, though. I'd be curious to know how well it works for people x their Meyers-Briggs or even just generally introvert/extrovert. I love to go out and do things, travel, etc., but I definitely get my energy from being alone to recharge. And I have found that working from home has generally left me feeling more refreshed at the end of the day, even in spite of work being an absolute **** the past two years and working 10 hour days.

[ReasonablySober]

My thing was working from home left me with a lot of bad habits I'm still working on kicking. Living alone, small apartment, and every day was literally the exact same. We were in the middle of the **** back then (I mean, still are but at least we're vaccinated now), and I didn't see or interact with anyone for half a year unless it was over zoom. Every day was 100% the exact same, and I went through the Groundhog Day Bill Murray phase where I just felt like nothing I did mattered, at all. By the time we were back in the office I was happy to do so, but by then my health took a big hit and I just lost a lot of interest in doing the stuff I both should be doing and previously loved doing (cooking, RIP).

[AussieBuck]

My thing was working from home left me with a lot of bad habits I'm still working on kicking. Living alone, small apartment, and every day was literally the exact same. We were in the middle of the **** back then (I mean, still are but at least we're vaccinated now), and I didn't see or interact with anyone for half a year unless it was over zoom. Every day was 100% the exact same, and I went through the Groundhog Day Bill Murray phase where I just felt like nothing I did mattered, at all. By the time we were back in the office I was happy to do so, but by then my health took a big hit and I just lost a lot of interest in doing the stuff I both should be doing and previously loved doing (cooking, RIP).

I spend 2020 either at home doing home schooling, renovating a **** old house or at my parents house helping to look after my mum who was dying in a horrible way. I wasn't spending 2021 onwards at home when I could be at work. I was already breaking down mentally. Training my Tobes for basketball while waiting for games to start again kept me going. It also improved my skills to an all time high so I'm now dominating low grade basketball at 40 even though I'm very unfit.

[MikeIsGood]

By the time we were back in the office I was happy to do so, but by then my health took a big hit and I just lost a lot of interest in doing the stuff I both should be doing and previously loved doing (cooking, RIP).

Damn, I'm sorry to hear that man. I hope those interests return in time - especially cooking. Always seemed like a passion of yours.

[LittleRooster]

My thing was working from home left me with a lot of bad habits I'm still working on kicking. Living alone, small apartment, and every day was literally the exact same. We were in the middle of the **** back then (I mean, still are but at least we're vaccinated now), and I didn't see or interact with anyone for half a year unless it was over zoom. Every day was 100% the exact same, and I went through the Groundhog Day Bill Murray phase where I just felt like nothing I did mattered, at all. By the time we were back in the office I was happy to do so, but by then my health took a big hit and I just lost a lot of interest in doing the stuff I both should be doing and previously loved doing (cooking, RIP).

I hope you do get back to cooking; I can tell by your posts how passionate you are about it!


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[BUCKnation]

Just might be me, but I found this out in college. I need a dedicated work space within my own apartment or home. Even though I'm in the same room/apartment that I live in, I can mentally separate the work space from the home space.

[ReasonablySober]

I can't get this out of my head, but the nice young lady who helped me yesterday told me four times over the course of 20 minutes or so, in a somewhat stern tone, "Your bed is for two things: sleep and sex". It was about devices and reading in bed and it was something I'd read before a million times when it comes to good sleep, but she was so blunt, and repeated it so many times that when I left the clinic I literally immediately said out loud as a dude was walking past me, "What the ****?!". She was incredibly delightful.

[Beorn]

I totally understand the issue with WFH.
Being very strict about not using my work laptop for anything outside of my shift did the trick for me. I wouldn't survive otherwise.
I have also been very explicit to my managers that they won't find me outside of my working hours if anything happens. I work on IT support, and most of my colleagues during the lockdowns/restrictions were bored to death and ended up being available for tasks/incidents almost 24/7.

Right now I am good with going to the office 1 time per week for socializing etc, and that's it.

[Bucksfan28]

I can't get this out of my head, but the nice young lady who helped me yesterday told me four times over the course of 20 minutes or so, in a somewhat stern tone, "Your bed is for two things: sleep and sex". It was about devices and reading in bed and it was something I'd read before a million times when it comes to good sleep, but she was so blunt, and repeated it so many times that when I left the clinic I literally immediately said out loud as a dude was walking past me, "What the ****?!". She was incredibly delightful.

Recently had a doctor emphasizing the same thing to me. I've curbed the habit of looking at my phone in bed for a little while now and, while it might just be a placebo-type effect, I feel like it's been helping. I'm waking up less in the middle of the night and having much more vivid dreams (last night featured me and Skinny Pete from Breaking Bad in a shootout with some drug lords )

[jschligs]

After spending the last week and a half in bed with COVID and food poisoning, I can 100% agree with those statements. My back is ****ed right now. Especially since it was our guest bed and it's way too soft.

[M-C-G]

I can't get this out of my head, but the nice young lady who helped me yesterday told me four times over the course of 20 minutes or so, in a somewhat stern tone, "Your bed is for two things: sleep and sex". It was about devices and reading in bed and it was something I'd read before a million times when it comes to good sleep, but she was so blunt, and repeated it so many times that when I left the clinic I literally immediately said out loud as a dude was walking past me, "What the ****?!". She was incredibly delightful.

Recently had a doctor emphasizing the same thing to me. I've curbed the habit of looking at my phone in bed for a little while now and, while it might just be a placebo-type effect, I feel like it's been helping. I'm waking up less in the middle of the night and having much more vivid dreams (last night featured me and Skinny Pete from Breaking Bad in a shootout with some drug lords )

My wife habitually is on her phone in the middle of the night and says it helps her sleep. Spoiler, it doesn't. That said, I've noticed if she is wearing her iphone watch, she has her phone like one foot from her head on one side and the watch on the other. I assume via bluetooth or some other means, those the phone and watch are exchanging data all night long, makes me wonder if that in itself is enough to disrupt sleeping patterns.