Ask HN: What brings you joy, without a relationship?

#1

Post by valueprop » Mon, Mar 12, 2018, 3:19 PM UTC

Healthy male, 38, financially secure. Being depressed about not having a relationship/wife/family, doing counseling for 3 months already. Rather than focusing on what's missing, I'm working on focusing what I could do on my own.

What activities which don't depend on having a SO bring you joy?

Thanks for sharing.

Re: Ask HN: What brings you joy, without a relationship?

#2

Post by montrose » Mon, Mar 12, 2018, 3:28 PM UTC

Learning new things. Making things. Making the world better in some way. Doing something I wasn't able to before. Exercise. Seeing things I've always wanted to see.

Re: Ask HN: What brings you joy, without a relationship?

#3

Post by sharemywin » Mon, Mar 12, 2018, 3:59 PM UTC

Do you have a friend(s) you can go do things with?

Re: Ask HN: What brings you joy, without a relationship?

#4

Post by sharemywin » Mon, Mar 12, 2018, 4:00 PM UTC

maybe join a cooking class or something like that.

Re: Ask HN: What brings you joy, without a relationship?

#5

Post by taylodl » Mon, Mar 12, 2018, 4:20 PM UTC

In my case it's playing guitar and practicing a martial art. I like these activities because I get some time away from my SO and it has nothing to do with programming or tech so I get a break from work as well.

Re: Ask HN: What brings you joy, without a relationship?

#6

Post by Neowizard » Mon, Mar 12, 2018, 4:30 PM UTC

Making/building stuff. Be it home improvement or just some gizmo, it makes me feel free

Re: Ask HN: What brings you joy, without a relationship?

#7

Post by valueprop » Mon, Mar 12, 2018, 7:32 PM UTC

sharemywin wrote: post #3

Do you have a friend(s) you can go do things with?

Not really. I have 3 friends, all married with kids.

Re: Ask HN: What brings you joy, without a relationship?

#8

Post by meric » Tue, Mar 13, 2018, 4:33 AM UTC

Continue your journey and walk the path of becoming the best person you can be. The further you're on it, the more people want to join you for a ride. It's not uncommon for men to start a family at 45, you have time; Face your emotions and wants head on & keep going!