Ask HN: How to deal with lonliness while running an early stage startup?

After working years from home I chose to rent an office. Now I'm surrounded by people working for other companies, they have their meetings and different projects but the social interactions (watercooler, lunch) keep me sane. Also indiehackers.com (more focused on bootstrappers)

If you are able, I highly recommend finding a team sport. A sport like volleyball, soccer, basketball, even doubles badminton. Or if you prefer martial arts, jiu jitsu or judo where you constantly play with others and need others to become better.

No, I do not mean cross-fit, or hiking, or a solo sport like running or surfing / skiing / skateboarding or planting trees, or even a leisurely activity like boardgames or a sedentary activity like video games. Those are all very worthy, but compared to all the benefits that a team sport provides, they fall short.

You'll be killing multiple stones with a single bird. Get exercise, meet people, feel rejuvenated, better appetite, great sleep etc.

Good friendships are built on shared experiences. Taking on a challenge and winning together is awesome. You'll make friends - the kind who you can turn to and the kind who you'll drive across four states for.

You'll learn about your strengths and weaknesses, and learn to become a team player if you aren't already one!

You'll strengthen your mind and it will make you a better entrepreneur! Sometimes you'll meet people who rub you the wrong way. You'll learn to breathe, breathe some more, and play it cool. And you'll learn to still play with them (or against them! ;)).

I can't recommend finding a team sport highly enough. There are leagues, there are pickup games. If you don't like a particular sport, try another one =).

- Take the time to maintain your relationships with existing friends and family

- Meet with co-workers or customers whenever possible to motivate

- As youeseh mentions, hobbies that are done in groups (For me its sufing & biking)

@youesh Sports is also in my list, but I am finding it hard to take that first step. Most of my issues rise from the fact that its harder to find people who can relate to my issues. Most only see the successes or the minute victories that i post on my social media. Thanks for taking the time to help me out. Much love - ahumblenerd

I have a co founder on the business, but both of us work on two different facets of the business. And I am focussed on the technology side of things. I will certainly start with small activites.