thanks. yes I think so - for me it's just another form of investment. instead of investing in being around people, invest in being content with yourself. it's h

thanks. yes I think so - for me it's just another form of investment. instead of investing in being around people, invest in being content with yourself. it's hard work but the reward is all yours. and just because anxiety or depression looms every once in a while doesn't mean the "project" or strategy was a failure. just means there is more work to do. fwiw I still love being around people but instead of spending 9/10 hours among people I now spend 9/10 hours alone. that is I still have a job and can't always shield myself. but it works better for me than by chasing potential friends, or worse chasing a potential romantic partner (if I have a partner I will need friends even less, at least this is how I see other men my age, ... getting rid of all their male friends is what many men do once they start building a nest ...). The difference is also that I cherish every chance to socialize a lot more now because it's not a given. When hiking I didn't see anyone for several days - so even the odd hiker I met seemed like a gift. In a way it also changed me from saying "hell is other people", to "I love company and being around people". doesn't mean that I never feel lonely, the difference today is how I respond to that feeling I guess.