My story begins with a twist...

[TrentC]

I needed to learn to enjoy being by myself again. I was thinking of taking a class also. What do you do that could be fun at the spurr of the moment? I have a hard time getting going.

As Serenity and SpyBunny pointed out, look at the entertainment section of your local paper.

I've had meetup.com recommended as a good place to look for things to do and people to do them with.

[sam_oc]

Yeah, I've heard about the meetup.com. In fact, there's one in my city specifically for single moms and dads. You have do be either D, separated, or single with at least one child. Now, to get off my a**.

[TrentC]

Now, to get off my a**.

Every journey has to begin somewhere. Good luck.

[Virtually_Handsome]

Bowling. A movie. Take yourself out to eat. It can feel weird at first, but it doesn't take long before you realize everyone is NOT staring at you!

[12bar]

Hi Trent

Thanks for stopping by my thread the past couple of days. I am in the same dilemma as you, I am not sure how to start to GAL. I am somewhat of a shy person when meeting new people but eventually open up once I know someone better so it will be hard for me to start making friends.

I do a lot of bicycling and when the bomb first happened, the first thing I did was join my local bike club which worked out great. Unfortunately, the season is over for us cold weather folks and I am now trying to find other stuff to do. Other things I have been looking at:

-Leaving in 5 minutes to join my local gym. While I am in good aerobic shape from cycling, I can still stand to shed a couple or 30 pounds. Thinking mediation/Yoga/Pilates classes would be good for the body and mind.

-Started looking up local meetup groups, found one for music lovers/musicians that I might check out.

-I do go to a bar or restaurant every now and then but it does feel strange at first

-Trying to find concerts to go to

I have also spent more than a few nights hanging out at Barnes and Noble drinking coffee and reading self help books!

Let me know what works out for you, I could use more suggestions as well!

-HBH

[BeTheMan]

It amazes me how many of us have put everything into our families and have so few real friends outside of it.

In the 4 days since my wife announced she is moving out sooner than expected, I have seen a counselor for the first time ever, found a divorce support group at a local church and reached out to an old best friend that I rarely speak with. I have found that some of my co-wokers really do care and want to keep me busy.

I have also decided to attend church again - on my own and intend do develop a deeper relationship with my kids since they are home with me.

I also intend to start working out again and am going to cook more for myself (when I get back to wanting to eat!) and my kids.

In the past, when someone said "let's go for a beer", I would turn them down and just want to go home. I am still in my home and happy for that, but need to learn to just do it and try to have new things in my new normal.

[TrentC]

So here's another question:

How do I respond to the inevitable question of "Why didn't you tell me you were going out?" or "I hate it when you're late and don't let me know."

*wincing at the incoming 2x4s*

[BeTheMan]

I may not be the right one to answer, since this time around I db'd all wrong and now my wife is moving out Dec 1st, but.....

Something like "I'm not sure what is expected in our new normal". Then walk away.

[Lll54]

I really hope you didn't just ask that question Trent, or you are about to see a side of Britt54 that you have never seen. Please tell me you were kidding?

[TrentC]

I really hope you didn't just ask that question Trent, or you are about to see a side of Britt54 that you have never seen. Please tell me you were kidding?

I did, but it was a moot point. I didn't get asked, at least not like that.

I told you I don't practice this half as well as I preach it. It's always easier to help someone with their problems.

Maybe I need you to keep me honest the way I've been keeping you. I told you that you can email me if you need some instant feedback or reinforcement.