Izzy, I'm glad you wrote what you did, but I'm sorry you're going through such times
I've had chronic illness these last few years, nothing acute or life threatening, but the quality of my life has really changed, for the worse. For me, it was important to up my preps, actually, so that I had lots of storecupboard food in, didn't have to think about it, and didn't have to expose myself to too many infections. And my social life collapsed, as I haven't been well enough to travel - I can make it to my sister's and back, 10 miles on the bus, if I only stay a few hours.
I do seem to have turned a corner this month, though - I do 30 - 40 mins gardening, about twice a week, which is actually just pruning shrubs and trees, and digging up all the bramble roots that rooted while I couldn't do anything in the garden. Today, for the first time in about two years, I actually reached the back of the border in one spot (the garden's only 35' long, nothing special) and 50% of the brambles along that three feet of fencing have gone. That felt good. I'm definitely getting my strength back as long as I'm pottering about at home, I still get really wiped out if I travel. I think that will get better, though.
I too am decluttering - I'll retire this year, and I know I can't afford to live in this house until the state pension kicks in, but nor am I prepared to carry on doing the minimal amount of work I do, about 8 hours a week, sacrificing 99% of my energy and interests to work. So I declutter because I'm going to have to move again, and because my life is important to me - as Piglet says, we only get so many trips around the sun (I love that way of putting it!). I think its crucial to become "selfish" in that way. I wish I'd become more selfish earlier on - if I'd retired from this job six years ago, and downsized and found a less stressful job, I think my health wouldn't have suffered as much. Hindsight is glorious, though.
Piglet, loving the sound of wildlife watching and the meetings and courses - thats what I plan to go back to, when my energy returns.
Here's to health!