Similar-ish situation here. An ex reached out after nearly half a year of no contact. It could be because he was worried about me as he knows I have multiple health issues (not that he cared much when we were together and even wanted to "test my limits" and insensitive shit like that, not respecting my exhaustion, etc). He may have just reached out because he's bored however. He's not good with change or being at home or on his own either.

But ok, he was polite and checked in on me lots, so I have reciprocated the best I can. However, I'm not suddenly interested in talking to him for hours every day. Especially when all he can talk about is corona related stuff or just say how are you. When we were together (did't last long because he was just plain awful in too many ways) he nearly only spoke about work. He has nothing interesting to say and cannot get a hint no matter how polite. I'm trying to say I'm enjoying my film and finally able to relax from all the anxiety and he will just continue bugging me and ruining my enjoyment of things. And it's all "sorry to hear" and ":/" too if I say anything of substance regarding how I feel about this situation when he triggers me with unsolicited death counts, etc. Now I spend a day or more without replying, I specifically ask for no constant corona updates as it's triggering my anxiety, I mention needing the day for myself to chill out and he does not get the message. I've stopped polite reciprocating contact now and just reply whenever I can bear it.

He offered help a few times (without specifying what for at all) but I'm not sure if he's just trying to play nice to see if I'll give him sex later? Or another chance? I can do with help as I'm a risk group and still am needing to go into the shops as I cannot get a delivery in. And I am insanely terrified about it and struggling like mad with my anxiety. He knows that and hasn't offered though. Not sure if he wants me to specifically ask? But could I even trust him to bring me a healthy, reasonable shop with affordable options and allows a week of meal prep when he's someone who only has like 5 food groups (chicken, curry, mixed meat grill, pizza and candy and refuses to eat salad entirely and most veg like a toddler), only cooks curry and just throws money away at takeaways and eating out and branded packaged food constantly when I make all my meals, eat super healthy and mostly vegetables and super low carb and always keep my costs low. I have no job, and am having to spend so much more on groceries (only expensive stuff left on shelves, no promos, no more buying smartly as things go on promo, etc) and can't afford to pay through the roof.

I've jokingly asked him to help me move when that happens, which will be soon as my tenancy will end (as I very desperately need help, can't drive, have no one else that can, my place is too tiny to have everything boxed up to move in a day as there would be no room for boxes and being here, and I have all my health issues and constant crushing exhaustion). I'm not sure he will actually show up and help though, and still worried he might try to take advantage of me and try and touch me or whatever. I hate troubling people and causing hassle or playing along with anyone for help when I don't feel positively towards them (so it feels like using someone, which I abhor). Only considering this because of how badly he treated me tbh, so I should not feel too bad to get a little help to make up for how awfully he treated me and how even more draining on my health his presence in my life was. But I do need help. He's so fucking dull and immature it hurts my soul. Conversations with him can go on for hours but he has fuck all to say ever and I hate being on my phone replying to telegram tests constantly.