Rural Depression

I know people who need other people with them all the time.
They are very social and enjoy going from one activity to the next as long as there are lots of other people around.
Me, I'm perfectly happy with my own company for extended lengths of time.
I read, love jigsaw puzzles, fuss with my house plants and garden a lot.
I get along with most animals and I have no idea why but camels seem to love me.
Crowds make me nervous.
I was in the middle of a riot once and I've just never been comfortable in crowds since.

Ya know, I am from the city but live in the suburbs, and even THAT it really challenging for me! In the suburbs everyone seems to have their own swingsets in their back yards and most of the people in my neighborhood drive into their attached garages, go into their homes, and if they DO go outside they go to their 8' tall privacy-fence enclosed back yards.

Things I do/have done/would do to break the funk:
* get in the car & drive to the mall/zoo/park/museum
* join a gym with childcare
* contact a nursing home to see if you could bring your daughter to visit some residents who are in need of some human affection
* Host playdates
* Start a cooking/craft/photography/fitness group for other SAHMs

Ha...trying living in Alaska if you wanna feel cut off from civilization...I used to. Had to put tinfoil at the windows in the summer to sleep at night...and then the winters were unbearable...spit would freeze before it hit the ground...well...there was no ground...only tons of snow. I am happy now where I live...even though I am kinda of handicapped....I use my phone all day long to talk to sisters and of course the internet...but my grocery is only 3 minutes away and the mall about 8....again....I am happy!!!

I'm not all that far from you in Hopatcong, but there are times when we are down to one car and it completely bites. The people who offer to be there when you need them are never there and it drives me insane. Have you lived in H-town long? When my oldest daughter was young we would go onto the website, I think it was called Around the Area and see what things they had going on along with any of the other activities any of the parks had. I know it's hard during the winter months because of the weather, but it's been pretty mild so far. Keep your chin up, the days are getting a minute longer and spring will be here soon :)

before i checked your address i assumed you live in Montana or Idaho. NJ! My sister lives in norther NJ too - a 45 min roundtrip to the stores. check the local churches - lots of them have groups for moms (MOPS, bible studies, quilting groups). there are also volunteer organizations that welcome moms with little ones. How about working PT at a daycare - you'd get around other women and your little one would get some stimulation.

Good luck mama!

How about neighbors, church groups, volunteering somewhere, nursery
group for baby, newcomers club. How about your ambulance corp or
womens auxillary at the fire dept. There are so many ways to meet people.
I too live 15 miles from grocery store so I know what you are talking about.
However, you have to make the effort to get out there. If you do not,
you will be miserable. I have such a full life, but I got out there. No one
is going to come knocking at your door. Good luck.

yes. my husband insisted we live in his small town. seriously maybe 200 people in the town, 1200 more in the county. i was a different religion, fat, no kids, and all alone except his mentally ill and dysfunctional family. i know why the people have drinking parties...there is no relief otherwise.
i had to go on a major antidepressant which helped, but after 2 years i made him move. we had wasted money fixing up a house, but i still don't care.
i am lots happier in a small city; i would be much happier in a big one.

the internet is a cheap way to reach out.

OMG! Do I. We moved about 2yrs ago. I am about 20 mins from the super market. I've always lived in the city and never thought much of it. Didn't think it could be much different but boy was I wrong. Just today I felt like I was getting "cabin fever" or something. I too have a little one. Actually a 17 month old and a 9 yr old at hm. Me and the baby are home most days alone. And i fully understand the withdrawel thing. After your alone for so long I guess you just don't know how to do anything else. My social life is over, maybe the move, maybe the baby, or a combination. I wish I could help you but it seems I'm suffering the same thing. Never been depressed in my life but I think I"m actually am headed there. And you got a name for it "rural depression", is there a pill for that?????????

yes, Dear-I wish we were neighbors-you're not alone!

I lived in a big city all my life. Then my husband had the bright idea of moving next door to his aging parents. we are 20 miles from the nearest anything, if I want a loaf of bread it is 20 FREAKING miles! Taking my son to school takes an hour round trip. No buses. No trash pick up. No neighbors my age, with kids my kids ages. We have 10 acres, but what good is 10 boring acres. I hate it here with a passion. Also in the summer there is about 3 months where you can't even go outside because it is 100 degrees. And like you, add in a bored 3 and 9 year old, and it is purgatory.
The worst thing about it is that my husband WILL NOT EVER MOVE. He has already told me that we are here for ever, as he loves it, it is his family property and he wants to die here. Oh joy of joys...

I grew up in a rural area and miss it so much. I am depressed in the suburbs! I can't stand everyone knowing our business and dropping in whenever they want. I pull the curtains shut at night since you can see in from the road. I grew up with apple trees in the front yard and and a long driveway - also had to drive 15 minutes to the store - I miss it so much. Blew my mind that when I went to water the garden that my neighbors can see me in my pjs... I would give anything to move back... My family was social and I never felt "out of it" growing up - but we had a "neighborhood" up the road... I biked there as a kid and just had to find otherways I guess... Would switch with you in a heartbeat... good luck!

I grew up in rural land, and knew from the time I was old enough to understand my surroundings that I would not make my life there.
I'm a city girl. Seems I was born that way. So I moved to the city when I graduated college and have never considered going back.
Heck, I can't even bring myself to consider a move to the subrubs!

Good luck to you! I get it!

I grew up in the country and HATED -- HATED --HATED it. Besides the isolation we had attack mosquitos so bad you couldn't go outside after about 3 PM unless you were covered in Off. We also lived on the intersection of two major state highways so it was unsafe to walk or bike ride. In winter the snow was worse because it drifted so bad.
I am so happy I live in the city now and I can go for walks and have neighbors nearby.