Simple question: how do you live a solitary life, maintaining your running and staying happy/not losing your mind? I know there must be some of you out there growing old without a wife or kids but still enjoying what life and running have to offer, so I want to learn from you! How do you avoid becoming a modern day Travis Bickle, except instead of doing pushups you're doing 100 mpw?
Simple question: how do you live a solitary life, maintaining your running and staying happy/not losing your mind? I know there must be some of you out there growing old without a wife or kids but still enjoying what life and running have to offer, so I want to learn from you! How do you avoid becoming a modern day Travis Bickle, except instead of doing pushups you're doing 100 mpw?
Simple question: how do you live a solitary life, maintaining your running and staying happy/not losing your mind? I know there must be some of you out there growing old without a wife or kids but still enjoying what life and running have to offer, so I want to learn from you! How do you avoid becoming a modern day Travis Bickle, except instead of doing pushups you're doing 100 mpw?
Funny I was going to make a similar topic. Sometimes I get so bored and lonely I want to die. I feel trapped in the world sometimes.
What is strange to me is that, for the most part, I enjoy being by myself. I do almost all my running solo and am not one to reach out to friends/family for social interaction. But then there are times when I truly feel alone and like I don't have anyone around because I don't offer anything of value to them. I guess my idea with starting this thread was getting advice on how I can be more at peace being by myself more consistently.
I don't know why anyone would down-vote your question. It is valid. And important. I am glad you brought it up.
Can I ask a few questions first, do you want to change your social and familial situation? Have you always been pretty much "solo" or is this a change? Can you share your age (approx.) and type of living situation (rural, urban, suburban)?
As for a broad answer, there are two ways to find meaning and happiness in life - one is through relationships that are loving (and personal) and another is through relationships of service (to society).
If you like being solo most of the time, you can still build relationships (and meaning) by finding organizations and helping them. You can volunteer at races, in churches, in your city, or other similar places. At least this way you are not "on your own" all day, every day.
And there is a good chance after a while you will build relationships with these people...
EDIT: Were you asking how to be happy without relationships (just with yourself)? If that was the case, you might consider becoming a modern stoic. They seemed to be pretty good at that kind of thing! Stoics are in these days!
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Letters from a Stoic (Penguin Classics) [Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Robin Campbell, Robin Campbell] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Letters from a Stoic (Penguin Classics)
It's getting downvotes because it's a textbook 0/10 troll.
I know you're from the PNW but you can't be this naïve and gullible in 2024
Fair enough. But this is a pretty subtle troll move compared to the usual Letsrun fare. I think there are a lot of lonely people in the world and it is hard to "make friends" if you are not naturally outgoing or already very socially connected via kids and family.
Remember this book?
amazon.com
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community [Putnam, Robert D.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community
Funny I was going to make a similar topic. Sometimes I get so bored and lonely I want to die. I feel trapped in the world sometimes.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Funny I was going to make a similar topic. Sometimes I get so bored and lonely I want to die. I feel trapped in the world sometimes.
Yes, I often don’t see how long I can keep doing this.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-2, 4 NIV
Go for a long walk when you are busting to go to the gents. Do it in an area with no toilets, and with lots of people around.
You will find your worries and troubles soon disappear and that joyous moment when you finally get home you realize that the small things in life are what matters. Indoor plumbing! And a quick browse though Letsrun comments.
Funny I was going to make a similar topic. Sometimes I get so bored and lonely I want to die. I feel trapped in the world sometimes.
Do you ever question yourself about what If God really exists? What if You really try to find out? Question the Bible, dig deep in scriptures and what is the connection with History? Is that true really Jesus existed? Was the temple a real thing or fake or even some thing invented! Then if it’s true, now you have found some something, good luck and you will find the purpose of life in trying to find out. Knock and it shall be opened for you!
I don't know why anyone would down-vote your question. It is valid. And important. I am glad you brought it up.
Can I ask a few questions first, do you want to change your social and familial situation? Have you always been pretty much "solo" or is this a change? Can you share your age (approx.) and type of living situation (rural, urban, suburban)?
As for a broad answer, there are two ways to find meaning and happiness in life - one is through relationships that are loving (and personal) and another is through relationships of service (to society).
If you like being solo most of the time, you can still build relationships (and meaning) by finding organizations and helping them. You can volunteer at races, in churches, in your city, or other similar places. At least this way you are not "on your own" all day, every day.
And there is a good chance after a while you will build relationships with these people...
EDIT: Were you asking how to be happy without relationships (just with yourself)? If that was the case, you might consider becoming a modern stoic. They seemed to be pretty good at that kind of thing! Stoics are in these days!
I appreciate the response as this was not a troll. Just me reflecting on how I feel occasionally. To answer some of the basic questions I live in a big city, I'm about a decade removed from college, and am someone who usually doesn't have a problem being by myself or doing things on my own. I was thinking of a stoic/monk as one example of how to be fulfilled by one's self but I'm not sure that's something I could pull off, though I do have my copy of Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" somewhere on my bookshelf. As mentioned before, being by myself isn't a problem but every now and then it can feel more isolating than usual. It is also a little sad to see old friends/colleagues now start to get married and have kids while that does not seem like the path I will end up taking. I'd like to not have a problem with it, as it is ultimately my choice, but I can't help feeling a little sad sometimes.
What is stopping you from starting a family? Maybe that would be a better long-term plan considering that 50 years of "being by yourself" sounds hard.
Don't you have any interest in relationships that are more than just friendships? Humans are meant to be in groups and family groups are the most durable and universal.