Capt SpaceBat

No, this is not quite as strange, dangerous or frightening as it might seem at first glance.  Admittedly, it took me a bit of time to get to grips with the idea.  With any mental health diagnosis, one of the more common reactions is to lock one’s self away from the outside world, or only to engage with it on an ultra-safe level, such as hanging around “Pound-a-Pint” pubs all day or dozing through “support group” meetings . This is not necessarily the best and most progressive behaviour, surrounding oneself with very similar people and thus reaffirming one’s identity.  Cultural visits and days out - even window-shopping - can provide stimulation, enjoyment and entertainment; not necessarily at great cost to one’s pocket.

The two greatest financial hurdles to this great endeavour are Transport and Admission Fees. 

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If one has a mental health diagnosis, it is possible to claim a mobility component to one’s benefit: for people who need help with getting around - further information available at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/index.htm.  Also the Freedom Pass (or similar scheme) may be available from your local authority, providing free travel - more at http://www.freedompass.org/ Transport for London also have a Bus & Tram discount scheme available - see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresandtickets/5568.aspx - which gives half price fares on the bus and tram network.For readers in the United Kingdom, the above is an approximation of the situation; your own country may work in a similar fashion.

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The costs of transportation now in part resolved, admission fees are the next hurdle to be overcome.  The good news is that many cultural intstitutions - museums and galleries especially - offer discounted admission to the unwaged, out-of-work and disabled.  Likewise there are many places to go to or to see that are absolutely free.  Local listings guides and newspapers are a great resource for events and attractions, libraries are free and have increasing number of activities on offer not traditionally associated with libraries: events, activities, Internet access, local history and information to name but a few.  Marvelling at Nature’s wonders - parks, gardens, landscapes - is almost always free.  Window-shopping is another past-time that can engross and inform: try to go the very best shopping areas: Bond Street, Hatton Garden, Chelsea and Knightsbridge are among my favourites.  Don’t waste time coveting and wishing you could afford the wonderful things on display; just marvel at them and their settings and surroundings.  Look at the buildings while you are at it.  The architectural heritage - usually above and around the shop window level - is often far more fascinating than the unaffordable offerings below.  Car boot sales offer even more chances to interact with people - both living and the long dead previous owners - see some beautiful things alongside an amount of lesser goods and even pick up a bargain.  It was in fact these local boot sales that first got me out of the house after my diagnosis.  The people tend to be accepting - and usually forgetting, if not forgiving - and one can exercise one’s particular collecting hobbies and find out vast amounts of historical and cultural information, all at little cost or danger to oneself.  Food and day-to-day supplies can also usually be obtained at cut-price, saving even more money.

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That said, go out & have fun - you don’t have to interact too much with too many people if you don’t want to; but it might just develop at your own accepted pace, along with your improvement and progress.

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What have I been up to?

• Get published:
  Contacting outside agencies to gather information

• Get exhibited:
  More thoughts on current works in progress; will have to miss tomorrow’s Art class, will make further sketches and notes

• Get rich(er) &/or better:
  Emailed creditors, went to boot sale, had a fab lunch, did more shopping, heard encouraging news about progress of external events which for now must remain unreported.

• Get out of the United Kingdom before the Olympics:
  Set about getting materials for refurbishment of toilet/bathroom, bought radiator “bleeder key”, coincidentally the boiler packed up - arranged for engineer to have a look at the antiquated system - hopefully might even get it replaced!  All making the flat more attractive for another later dweller.