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Re:Modern life is lonely – We all need someone to help by madaxe_again on Tuesday December 19, 2017 @05:23AM (#15959173)
It’s also possible to live differently. I played the stoic for decades until the isolation of being a business owner living in a city pushed me over the brink.

I’ve struggled with loneliness my entire life - and adult life has been worse than childhood. I started boarding school at six - and while I was homesick for some time, the camaraderie of other inmates, uh, students, was the only thing that kept me mildly sane - I had people to look out for and protect, and similarly people looked out for and protected me.

As an adult, I’ve unwittingly repeatedly chosen lonely paths - moving frequently for several years before settling down and starting a business. I spent my days surrounded by people with nobody to relate to - I can be friendly with employees and clients, but I can’t be friends. I can’t confide about what worries me.

Either way, I broke - I spent most of 2016 having anxiety attacks that’d see me vomit for weeks on end, to the extent that I ended up hospitalised several times with severe dehydration and hypoglycaemia. I passed on the reins and left.

I now live on the edge of a village in the middle of nowhere north wales. I have drinks or go for walks with with my 93 and 84 year old neighbours most days. I’ve made friends with all sorts, just by saying hello to folks as they walk past the cottage.

My financial future is uncertain - but as I write this I am so happy it brings tears to my eyes.

We’ve really forgotten what’s important - and there’s a story about a chap called Midas that we could all do to learn a thing or two from.

Re:Modern life is lonely – We all need someone to help by 1_player on Tuesday December 19, 2017 @09:20AM (#15960334)
Thanks for this, the first half of the comment perfectly sums up my last few years.

I've moved out of London to try and live a more comfortable and less hectic life in a smaller city, now I find I'm so alone I want to move back to the city just to be with my friends.

I'd love to be in the middle of nowhere, or anywhere else in the world, but the "friends" problem is always so understated. I _need_ friends(hip), or I don't function. Even as an "antisocial" person, as my friends like to say, friendship is the most important thing in life.

Funnily, the fact that I'm being productive while a big part of myself is just a huge hole is impressive in itself.

Re:Modern life is lonely – We all need someone to help by WillReplyfFood on Tuesday December 19, 2017 @11:04AM (#15961120)
It feels like beeing a black hole, with a thin crust of human on top, sometimes it hurts so much, that you can allmost hear a sucking, swirling sound.
Re:Modern life is lonely – We all need someone to help by goldfeld on Tuesday December 19, 2017 @09:51AM (#15960565)
I found that it's like a furnace that still burns hot from your momentum, but when you stop throwing in fuel (social interaction, feeling that you belong), the creative and productive juices do dry up and you end up, maybe literally, dehydrated; and I fondly remember getting my best ideas and impulses after good times spent with friends.
Re:Modern life is lonely – We all need someone to help by doug1001 on Tuesday December 19, 2017 @09:52AM (#15960572)
thanks for sharing; i was a (catholic) boarding school lad from age 6 until university

deeply envious envious of the place you've chose to live

where i've had so many excellent days out (snowdonia mostly)--bunk at pen-y-pass YHA, snowdon horseshoe, glyders traverse, etc), then finish each day with a litre mug of tea at Pete's in Llanberis

Re:Modern life is lonely – We all need someone to help by ficklepickle on Tuesday December 19, 2017 @11:55AM (#15961567)
So weird seeing Pete's eats mentioned here. One of my best friends lives in Llanberis.

I once got taken up Crib Goch completely unprepared, thinking I was going on a leisurely walk. I was not impressed.

Re:Modern life is lonely – We all need someone to help by doug1001 on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @07:58AM (#15969124)
you were not impressed at the time, but now that you've done it (Crib Goch) you have only fond memories of the experience and look forward to having another go some day, i'm guessing? :-)

is Pete's still there? I haven't been to Llanberis in maybe 5 years; it would be depressing to find it closed (and eg, a mini-Marks & Spencers in its place) on my next trip

Re:Modern life is lonely – We all need someone to help by WillReplyfFood on Tuesday December 19, 2017 @11:01AM (#15961091)
Midas? The guy whos only remaining statue shows him plucking the nose?

Thanks for sharing