• GreenMario@lemm.ee
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        7 months ago

        Always love this. “Go to therapy!” Gonna pay for it? “…no”

        Well back to suppressing my emotions again. There is no emotion, there is only peace…

      • Xanthrax@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Yeah, pretty much. It’s just better not to put that emotional weight on people, if you can.

        There’s a lot more therapy services coming out, though! I wouldn’t argue it’s easily accessible, but it’s getting there.

          • Xanthrax@lemmy.world
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            7 months ago

            Lmao. Bars just make me fall asleep. I was going for a palindrome similar to my irl nick-name, but I fucked it up.

    • Franzia@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      7 months ago

      Your therapist is not your friend, and using therapy only as a place to vent is a waste of their time and your money.

        • Pelicanen@sopuli.xyz
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          7 months ago

          Both therapists and a psychiatrists offer mental health care, therapists aren’t just people to vent at (even if that is usually part of their job). Psychiatrists are medical doctors that can prescribe medication, however.

        • Franzia@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          7 months ago

          Well, therapists can help a lot more than just venting! And if you vent you’ll probably run into some feelings a therapist can help you untangle. You’re right, better to try it than not.

  • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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    7 months ago

    It’s sad how many men don’t have friends outside of family and dates.

    If that’s you, please get friends. If you don’t know how, find a hobby where you’re likely to interact with other people, and interact with them. Even if it’s just smalltalk, that’s a start.

      • Ashyr@sh.itjust.works
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        7 months ago

        No, the solution is to find a hobby you can enjoy with other people in order to find opportunities to make friends.

        • Cossty@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          If I am forcing myself to do it, it’s not a hobby. I already have hobbies that I want to do and they take over all of my free time. All of them are best done at home and alone.

          • Honytawk
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            7 months ago

            If your goal is to make friends and your current way isn’t working, you will have to force yourself to change. There just isn’t any other way.

            Friends don’t fall from the sky. You have to put in time and effort in any type of human relationship. That is just how things are.

            • Rodeo@lemmy.ca
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              7 months ago

              He didn’t say his goal was to make friends. I’m the same way, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been putting my efforts into myself instead of other people.

                • Rodeo@lemmy.ca
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                  7 months ago

                  I don’t know anyone who is too well put together to require company and support

                  How could you know that? Do you ask every acquaintance about their emotional support?

                  talking things through with others can be the most important thing you can do for your own happiness.

                  I’ve actually found that process to be frustrating more than anything. Distraction and exercise are far more effective coping methods for me. Venting just gets me worked up all over again.

          • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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            7 months ago

            Okay, maybe try striking up conversations during slow times at work? It doesn’t have to be a hobby, that’s just one of the better ways in many cases.

        • nul@programming.dev
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          7 months ago

          This year, I moved to a new city, got a high-paying job, and have been engaging in hobbies such as writing, karaoke, and I’m trying to learn dnd. No local friends yet, but I’ll keep at it.

          Last year and before, I had a low-paying job that kept me constantly stressed. I went home, played video games with people online, and otherwise wasted my time. My only irl friends were people I worked with and people I knew from high school. I think the advice about hobbies is good. But fighting through depression to a place where you can spend time socializing isn’t always as easy as “get hobbies,” especially when you’re poor.

          • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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            7 months ago

            Yes, the advice is neurotypical because that’s how I am, so sorry if it doesn’t apply to you completely. I’m no expert on everything, so if you have additional requirements to social interaction, you’ll have to consult with somebody who knows instead of me.

            That said, surely the following are true regardless:

            • You can’t make friends with people you don’t interact with.
            • Meeting people in the same hobby as you means you automatically have some common ground.
            • It’s easier to make friends with someone you have common ground with.

            .
            Also, I’ve never met a person who’s unlikable to everyone. Don’t sell yourself short.

        • Corroded@leminal.space
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          7 months ago

          One issue I am running into is I am an amateur when it comes to a lot of my hobbies. I feel like if I were to join up with someone else or a group I’d be slowing them down.

          • angrystego@lemmy.world
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            7 months ago

            Try finding a group that’s at your level. There are other amateurs out there. It worked out for me. I kept mentioning my hobby (and lack of a friendly group to share it with) to people in appropriate circumstances and in the end my coworker/friend helped me infiltrate a group that’s at just the right level of amateurness for me. It’s possible!

          • Ashyr@sh.itjust.works
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            7 months ago

            I can only speak for myself and my experiences, but generally people are interested in sharing their hobbies and helping people love what they want.

            There are, of course, exceptions, such as private ttrpg sessions that might just happen to be in a public place. Even then, a polite request to sit in and listen might be accepted.

            Even if someone isn’t interested in helping induct an amateur, they can likely point you to people or resources to get started and build skills.

            Communication is everything. Just be honest about yourself and what you’re looking for and you’ll probably find where you need to be. Don’t get discouraged with a bad encounter, it’s probably not about you.

      • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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        7 months ago

        I’ve always associated that with being a city thing, because I’ve lived in cities and suburbs, and I’ve never been a woman.

        In cities, most people won’t even say “good morning” back, but in the suburbs, you can strike up a whole conversation with someone just because you’re walking in the same direction.

        • GR4VY@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          I agree. I live on the very rural Oregon Coast, and everyone here is overly friendly. It’s actually kind of exhausting at this point lol. Way different from when I lived in the city. I need to find a good middle ground.

          • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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            7 months ago

            A good middleground between urban and rural is probably suburban. Or just wear visible headphones when you’re not in the mood, perhaps?

            • psud@aussie.zone
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              7 months ago

              Suburban is a horrid mutant thing with none of the best of either rural or city.

              We would have been much better off if our cities were built to hold people like in Europe

              • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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                7 months ago

                This is such a weird take to me, because I’ve always seen suburban as the natural default. A lot of things are in 10-30 minute walking distance, and the houses aren’t stacked on top of each other.

    • GreenMario@lemm.ee
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      7 months ago

      Yeah lemme go to the friend store and pick up a couple lol

      Oh damn, fresh outta 35-45 age bracket, as they all have kids and full time jobs that don’t match with my days off. Bummer.

      • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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        7 months ago

        Why do they have to be in the same age range? I’m a college student, and the most recent major friend I’ve made is a retired senior citizen.

        • tetris11@lemmy.ml
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          7 months ago

          “Hey man, we were thinking of going camping later, but first playing some Mariokart and doing shots. You coming?”

          “…oh sure, you can count me in!”

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          Friends don’t have to be in the same age range, but generally you have more in common with people your own age because you’ve all had similar experiences in terms of going through the same history and pop culture. I’m in my mid-40s. If I’m in an antique store or flea market with a 20-year-old and I point out an Atari 2600 Missile Command cartridge, they likely won’t know what it is. If I show it to people my age, it brings up memories and suddenly we can talk about how we used to play our Ataris.

        • GreenMario@lemm.ee
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          7 months ago

          Well, preferences really not so much a hard requirement. If it’s online gaming any age is fine.

        • lightnsfw@reddthat.com
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          7 months ago

          Yeah my best friend is 20 years older than me. It worked out because we basically have the exact same interests or at least close enough we can talk about things we like and have an engaging conversation.

      • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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        7 months ago

        The other risk is that you catch them in the middle of their boring health phase, and you have to pretend to be interested in running or cycling.

    • TheTetrapod@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      People always say this, and then suggest trash like Pickleball and board games. I already have hobbies, they just happen at home.

      • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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        7 months ago

        Oh, I wouldn’t suggest hobbies without asking what you’re interested in first.

        Hey, completely unrelated question: What are you interested in?

      • Honytawk
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        7 months ago

        If you spend all your time at home, you will have difficulty finding friends just because there aren’t many opportunities.

        Find some other social hobbies if those aren’t your cup of tea.

        But don’t complain about not having friends if you never leave the house.

        Friends don’t fall from the sky.

        • Rodeo@lemmy.ca
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          7 months ago

          He didn’t complain at all. On the contrary, it sounds to me like he’s happy with his hobbies at home.

    • foofiepie@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      K so what if you have a crazy busy job and no free time because family. What then. Working hard to keep the family afloat has to be number one - then it’s sleep and victuals and stuff.

      • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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        7 months ago

        Then that’s a serious problem all on its own.

        If this is real, there are some things I can suggest, but I can’t guarantee a solution because this is an absurd situation. You might try looking into government aid programs, looking for a better paying job with fewer hours, or if you’re not a single parent with young kids only, asking someone else in the family to pull some weight too. And if you can’t get out of the no-free-time situation, try making friends with coworkers.

        If this isn’t real, then why is that your response to general advice? Seems kinda like if someone recommends walking for exercise and you say “What if I’m paralyzed from the waist down?”

        • foofiepie@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          Snarky trolling isn’t my usual MO. It’s real. Thanks for the comment. I have online ‘friends’… or at least, human contact. Does that count.

          • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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            7 months ago

            As someone who’s been in both boats, it counts, but I wouldn’t rely on it forever. Having friends in person is way more… human, I guess?

            Probably better if you have regular voice/video chats. Haven’t been in that middleground.

            • foofiepie@lemmy.world
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              7 months ago

              I used to have a good friend but he shot himself a few years ago. It takes a long time for me to make proper friends. Lemmy is actually pretty chill. It’s been nice just chatting with people here. Less toxic than another place I won’t mention.

              • MonkeMischief@lemmy.today
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                7 months ago

                I’m really sorry for the loss of your friend. :(

                I really hope that wonderful people find their way into your life, and you can find meaningful connections with kindred spirits. <3

    • notepass@feddit.de
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      7 months ago

      Also: You can do the hobbies online if you do not want to keep it IRL. My longest standing friend I met over at an online forum like 13 or so years ago. I also met a few people I still hang with every now and then via minecraft servers.

    • Cringe2793@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      It’s difficult to get friends when you’re a dude. There’s the never ending suspicion you get from your wife.

      Sure, it’s crazy behavior, but as a man, you can’t really argue it, since society is generally on the side of women being suspicious (and dare I say it, insecure). Eventually it gets cleared up when she checks your phone, calls your friends, follows along during your guy nights, etc.

      But the fact that it happens at all is just exhausting and generally guys don’t wanna deal with that.

      • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        The fact that it happens at all, is some rom-com higschooler mentality that I refuse to put up with. There have been a fuckton of women that tried that bullshit with me. If you’re going to play highschool games, you don’t deserve a man. You deserve a little boy, as you’re clearly a little girl/boy/other sexuality, but you still are in highschool and don’t have the ability to fulfill an actual adult in your relationship. I’ve had far too many try to date me.

        If you want a relationship that is based in reality, I’m down. I’ve yet to meet a woman that actually wants a relationship based in reality. Kinda sucks for me since I don’t like guys. Especially since I’ve been hit on by multiple guys that would have been great for me, if they’d been women.

      • ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        There’s the never ending suspicion you get from your wife.

        That’s not normal and healthy. I don’t have that issue with my wife, and I’m not aware of any friends that do either. I mean if my friends and I had a habit of going to strip clubs or something… yeah, that’s going to make the misses insecure. But if you don’t have a history of behavior that has earned her suspicion, I’d be looking at couple’s therapy to get past that.

        I have been in a relationship with someone like that. It was miserable not being trusted and having arguments about her baseless suspicions. In my case I eventually realized she was projecting.

      • psud@aussie.zone
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        7 months ago

        You really do want to gather a good group of friends in your youth, it gets more difficult in adulthood

        I’m part of three different groups since late teens, but since working full time I have only made maybe 3 new friends (not counting comings and goings from the groups)

        It’s nice being in a beer brewing friend group, the beer just gets better and better as budgets improve

      • CancerMancer@sh.itjust.works
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        7 months ago

        After being with a good woman, I’d tell your woman to get therapy or get a new man. Good, healthy women do not do this shit. It’s one thing to ask your husband where they’re going and when they expect to return, it’s another to check his phone, call his friends, stalk him… that’s unhealthy as fuck. Goes both ways to, leave your wife’s shit alone. If you can’t trust each other, what’s the point?

        • Cringe2793@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          My wife doesn’t do this, so it’s all good. But I have friends who need to deal with this. I am not gonna tell them how to live their life.

          But that’s not the point I was trying to make. I was trying to say that society is much more accepting of women doing this than men. Somehow this is kind of “acceptable” for women to be this controlling, especially in my society.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        My wife has never been suspicious of me having friends. She wishes I had friends. All of my friends live at least a 70-minute drive away. I’ve lived in this town for over 10 years and I’ve never made any friends. I’m kind of introverted, which doesn’t help, but no one is interested in getting to know me.

      • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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        7 months ago

        It always reminds me of the comment my mother made when my father used to go away for work.

        I know he’s not having an affair because that would be too much like hard work.

    • Squirrel@thelemmy.club
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      7 months ago

      But making friends means going out. Then there’s even more going out to interact with said friends. Screw that.

    • GBU_28@lemm.ee
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      7 months ago

      Or just go volunteer somewhere. Lots of great friendships are born out of time spent on a shared task, even if not glamorous or “fun”.

      Plus the whole 'will I fit in" doesn’t really exist at the homeless soup kitchen, because they are happy for anyone. You are welcome to be there.

  • kryostar@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    Most of my friends are people I know IRL. But we only get time to interact online. So we play video games for an hour or so. In that hour or two we don’t really talk about our lives. We don’t talk about the shitty things or the good things. We just play the game and have fun.

    So far, it has worked for me.

    • Dups@sh.itjust.works
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      7 months ago

      That was how things were for me too. In the end we never talked about anything going on in our lives. We grew more and more distant as we grew older and found we knew less and less about each other. It doesn’t last forever. Share your lives and the games. Otherwise in the end you will just have the games.

    • cryostars@lemmyf.uk
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      7 months ago

      It’s always nice to just focus on enjoying the hobby you have with your friends. Nice username btw

  • S_204@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    She sounds abusive, isolating her boyfriend from outsiders to that degree.