If you knew with absolute certainty that you would spend the rest of your life without a romantic partner,

@TinyViolins I think that's true for languages. If you don't practice them you can lose them. Since it is your first language you are definitely further along than I am LOL

@ravenwind43 Yeah, it's basically cheating since so much of the language is intuitive for me. I don't really have to thing about how to conjugate what or which gender a certain noun is, but all the same it's nice to know another language.

I gave German a shot many years ago, but realizing I never knew anybody that spoke German was a little disheartening. I still recognize many words and can put together some sentences, but that's about the extent of my language-learning endeavor

@TinyViolins German is a tough language!

@SW-User Yeah, but forever is a mighty long time

@TinyViolins not for me

@SW-User The more expensive the better orgasms right?

@SailorMarz My thoughts exactly. This is why I like you. 🙂💯

@MrSmooTh thought it was just me

@RebelFox Those things are pretty important to me too. I don't have any children, but I have two dogs that are the only family I have, so their health and development matter just as much to me. It helps me stay active and enjoy nature walks.

Writing, painting, and poetry help me express the thoughts and feelings too deep and nuanced for them to understand, and that balance between the mind, body, and soul help make the void of loneliness much easier to bear. All we can truly depend on in the end is ourselves.

But I wouldn't rule out love for yourself yet. You're a nurturer at heart, and in a world where so many are lost, that part of yourself can open doors people may not be able to open themselves. Uncertainty is troubling, so it can be soothing to invent certainty by saying no one will ever come, but it's just a coping mechanism our heart creates to protect ourselves from the pain of solitude.

You're a good soul. Some things just take time for people to really appreciate. I remember when computers, the internet, and superheroes were something only for nerds and losers, now it's mainstream and everybody can enjoy the benefits of geeking out. Most people don't appreciate emotional depth right now, but as mental health starts to become mainstream, your ability to maneuver through the complexity of the heart is going to be a shining beacon for many.

@TinyViolins You are mind blowingly awesome

@RebelFox Aww, thanks. I guess that makes two of us

@NewBeginnings7790 The older I get, the more that suspicion is becoming a reality. It can be relieving to give up hope and accept the way things are, but loneliness and solitude have its own set of complications that eventually overshadow any benefits from acceptance.

You're doomed if you try and doomed if you don't. I haven't quite found the right recipe for learning to be okay with that

@TinyViolins I haven’t either, an you’re right the loneliness and solitude can be really tough. I wish this wasn’t it for me. I’ve always wanted so much more. It just doesn’t feel like living.

@NewBeginnings7790 I wish I didn't agree, but you nailed it. Feels like you're only getting to know a fraction of the human experience. It's like having YouTube when everybody else has Netflix and Disney+

Anyways, it's a depressing topic. It'd be nice to have something to look forward to. How about if we're both still single in 10 years, you wanna just roll the dice and get married?

I can cook, clean, and teach you Spanish. I have a decent-sized book collection you can rummage through if you want, and there'll always be ice cream in the freezer. Plus, you can keep everything in the eventual divorce as long as I get the dogs. What'dya say? I'm marginally better than dying alone, right?

@TinyViolins walk with the dog.. talk to the ladies.. just get some practice in and there will be someone hunting the same thing and has the same doubts about confidence like yourself .. its ok . you need find a gal to talk too. best to you and hope you find it.mark

@markansas The dog park is certainly fertile ground for talking to ladies, but I don't want to force anything and weird them out. So far it's mostly been small little dead-end conversations, but maybe one day it'll lead to something more.

That said, a lot of women in my age range can be quite superficial when it comes to men, so it is pretty important that I lose some weight. I've made great progress, but I'm still not where I'd be confident with

@TinyViolins i would do keto diet it seems to have the most effect on me.

@SW-User that's a great thing. 🙂

@SW-User What kind of things make you happy?

@TinyViolins my family and friends mostly

@lumberjackslam What would that accomplish?

@TinyViolins if I can't have a woman at least I can become an opera singer

@LordShadowfire Don't you dream of a life beyond staring at screens all day?

@TinyViolins Yeah... *sigh*