Ah man *hugs supertight* you know im way to far away to give you full blown old cat hugs in person. Be aware id set with you and talk and be real if i could.

Be warned I like the sound of purring cats.

Hah i have a wicked killer purr

Unfortunately social distancing is kind of what needs to be done. Face time or other video chats are available and talking on the phone while still staying in the other side a door is more optimal than having direct contact if it can be helped.

Know that you can always reach out your friends online, sometimes that is the best you have and this virus is going to force people to adapt. We are very adaptable and I know you will get through this. Stay strong and know that you are loved even in silence you are loved and cared for.

Still not the same as being held and that is what I need. It's been years in my case. Yes the distancing is necessary, but it may just be asking too much for such a long time. I wonder what the suicide rate is right now for people like me. They don't make synthetic oxytocin you know.

No but there are other ways of generating it, like having a pet, which I know is not something you could feasibly do. But there are plenty of people in a similar situation who are finding ways of coping, seeking counseling, and doing video chats. And one of them is with cognitive behavior therapy which helps retrain your brain's more negative tendencies by making you more aware of your own thought processes.

Depression is sometimes linked to the loss of feeling connected, bit finding new ways of connected to other people, but cognitive behavior therapy has been effective in addition to antidepressants to help guide you back to knowing you are connected.

I can can't fully understand how you feel because I don't have that same level of need/desire for physical touch, but being able to meet with friends for a board game can help so long as everyone is keeping things clean and being wise about the interactions and doing voice and video chats to remain social. That desire for physical contact is not necessary as you might think it is or make it out to be, it is about finding other ways and others things that make you feel connected and socially belong. This was a hard thing I had to learn, because I thought I wanted all the physical stuff but I eventually accepted that it wasn't necessary and became content and accepted my friends at a distance and that I found I was okay just having friends because they still cared and supported me, we laughed and cried and saw movies together, but even while we have had to be more distant we still find ways of chatting,. I still know they care for me and are my friends even if the amount of communication has gone down.

A lot of this came out being self aware of my own thoughts and tendencies through cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness. I think you would benefit from reading some Buddhist philosophy about being mindful and being thankful for all that you do have instead of constantly focusing on what you don't have because that will just be a path to self destruction.

Part of it is wanting some things most other people have experienced, like sex for instance. Or having friends that care enough to visit.

I understand that, and for me it is more often that I sometimes have to initiate such things, and as for sex, I haven't really had that experience either but also accepted that there is more to life than sex, and if it happens some day great, but if not then I am content, because I still have/had a fulfilling life.

Trust me sex is highly overated bumping uglies is.just that...

I would say it is something I would want to experience, but I would it to be something that naturally developed and was with someone I would consider at the very least a close friend.

But I yeah, I am fine not making it a huge concern.

You are on a good path.. Im 55 as of augest. Ive had more than my fair share of touching junk...... I can safely say save that for a very very few very close friends... Its not that fabulous. Trying to give usefull life thoughts/advice. *hugs* im older???. And trying to be usefull

I'm only 27 xD

<hugs and preens at> Wish I could give you a hug in person. Be strong, know that we love you, even if said love can't be in person.

When this.is done we need to meet up seriously.... Till then a lot more hugs and *purrrs *

This is true.

I know this journal is oldish, regardless *hugs*.

Thank you.

You're welcome! x3