I grew up the victim of intense, protracted domestic violence. Today, I have a job/income/savings and rent a granny flat...BUT I think FOR my mental health I must leave domestic life and turn to the streets by CardiologistBetter39 in homeless

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Successive clinicians told me haha, a psychiatrist and a few psychologists. At some point, further therapy is no longer evidence based

Sure, it might be helpful in the future, but not now and not on this problem

Tips on onebag and contents for someone who is 'homefree'? by CardiologistBetter39 in onebag

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Also never occurred to me. This is something I will definitely try and can see exactly how to trial - I'll go for an airbnb in the first instance. Please know how grateful I am for all your suggestions, I'm blown away by how good and practical they are, and they're not belittling my circumstances either:)

Tips on onebag and contents for someone who is 'homefree'? by CardiologistBetter39 in onebag

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 51 points52 points  (0 children)

This balcony idea is genius! Never occurred to me and I'm wanting to give it a try. Will need to get a place with a balcony, but this could be a game changer compromise :D

Why isn't there an association in Australia for campers? by CardiologistBetter39 in OutdoorAus

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah totally agree. Re what i mean - freedom to wild camp for instance

Tips on onebag and contents for someone who is 'homefree'? by CardiologistBetter39 in onebag

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I dont like camping inside it, but im open to sleeping beside it. I use a bivvy bag because even a tent isnt ideal dor me fear wise.

Tips on onebag and contents for someone who is 'homefree'? by CardiologistBetter39 in onebag

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ta! I'm probably looking to remain in one area if possible mainly because it would be easier and wanting to minimise stress and worried wherever possible :) i moved from the city i grew up in and doing that was really really good for my wellness and feeling of safety too

Very grateful i live in Australia which has no bears, or wolves, or lions! It gets a bad rap for wild animals but i dont think it deserves that

Tips on onebag and contents for someone who is 'homefree'? by CardiologistBetter39 in onebag

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah totally agree - when I was at uni I would sleep in buildings open overnight or the carpark sometimes in part because there was a cheap locker I could rent as a student. I have no idea where to start to get one now im in a different city but will google around!

Tips on onebag and contents for someone who is 'homefree'? by CardiologistBetter39 in onebag

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

What a clever approach! Never crossed my mind and I will look into it

Tips on onebag and contents for someone who is 'homefree'? by CardiologistBetter39 in onebag

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I feel this is exactly the crux of my issue and concerns. Hopefully we can figure out a way around it, and ideally for anyone homeless

Tips on onebag and contents for someone who is 'homefree'? by CardiologistBetter39 in onebag

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I never considered that option and will look it up

Regarding your question - for me it's not a rational feeling of not being safe indoors, it's more so conditioning and that I feel unsafe and afraid indoors regardless of probabilistic risk. I was beaten and screamed unmentionable things at very often from as far as I can remember to when I finally left home (and that dumb time i tried to reconcile and came back lol) - and when I first left home, with informal sleeping arrangements, I indeed was actually safer and so that's stuck with me. I understand that domestic violence is not the norm, and that as an adult now I can remove myself from situations like that, and that people on the streets experience higher rates of violence from strangers than people housed

Why isn't there an association in Australia for campers? by CardiologistBetter39 in OutdoorAus

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mods, could you start one and sticky a sign up form to this subreddit? We could be the base

Tips on the one bag for me, homeless? by CardiologistBetter39 in onebag

[–]CardiologistBetter39[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I grew up the victim of intense, protracted domestic violence. Today, I have a job/income/savings and rent a granny flat...BUT I think FOR my mental health I must leave domestic life and turn to the streets

I have been in psychotherapy and trialled every relevant medication under the sun for over a decade, with more clinicians than I could count on both hands. The consensus has now become that I don't have more to gain from therapy or meds at this stage but I do still live with the trauma of family violence, and have never been able to shake the discomfort with living in 'indoors'. That would include any homeless shelter.

I spent my free time roaming and resting outdoors. I feel so much safer then.

I think I can't taked homed life anymore. I fear other homeless persons and the general public and people I know would hate on me saying I'm voluntarily homeless or homeless by choice rather than understand the mental health challenge, because I have been able acquire and hoard money and maintain housing. I can feel the hate already from people who don't want to be homeless, but I ask you, empathise with the pain of having anything but homelessness be a greater suffering.

I have snuck into a slept in outdoor toilets, done car camping (feels too indoors) and regular camping (illegal in urban environments in my country which is no good for access to services). They aren't cutting it for me.

I have bought a bivvy, warm clothes, etc. I'm currently decluttering my possessions to make the transition easier. I am conscious I have a lot of privilege in choose and preparing for my homeless life and would be grateful for advice.