[Blindtlk] 10 natural ways to relieve stress!

[Julie J.]

Peter,

This has not been my experience, nor the experience of most of the blind 
people I know.   Most of the blind people I know are in relationships or 
are happily single.   Sure there are a few who are looking and unhappy, 
but they are the minority.  Also most of the blind people I know are 
working or are retired from working.  I'm guessing this is because I am 
middle aged and fairly well connected to the blindness community.  
Younger blind people or those without access to good rehabilitation 
services are probably much more likely to not have jobs.  I do wonder 
about that 70% figure though.  Most of the blind people I know who don't 
have jobs aren't working very hard to find one or are perfectly content 
not working.  That 70% number has been thrown around for so long and I 
have no idea what it actually represents.

I think computers not working is a stress for all people, not just blind 
people.  Jeeze, you should witness my sighted husband trying to learn 
how to use his new smart phone! *smile*   I find it best to go in the 
other room and give him some space.  I figure stuff is going to happen 
to everyone, but it's up to me as to how I want to react. Sometimes I 
have to remind myself that there was life before computers.  I am old 
enough to remember those days.  It really is true, people did manage 
without i-do-dads.

We talked about social isolation fairly recently on this list.  I didn't 
read all those messages, but I do think it can and does happen, but I 
also believe that there are ways to connect with others.  I truly 
believe that social isolation is way more about attitude and mental 
health than it is about actual opportunity.  the vast majority of blind 
people can make different choices to connect them with people in their 
communities, join a club, volunteer, go to community events, just going 
to a coffee shop and chatting with other patrons could be a start.  I 
also think it's important to note that different people have different 
needs when it comes to friends and social connections.  this has nothing 
to do with blindness, but is based on personality traits.  I think it 
also takes time.  I lived in this town for several years before I really 
started feeling like I lived here instead of just being a visitor.

What is it that you want, I mean really, really want, like your big 
dream in life?  What do you need to do to get there?  what could you do 
today to get started?

Julie