Ugh, how to tell a depressed dog person I want three cute catgirl girlfriends…
Since hitting my 30s I’ve started getting really invested in middle aged man shit like sports and history podcasts. It’s a cliche and basic in its own way but I’m genuinely surprised by the amount of joy these relatively simple things are bringing me. Especially when I could not have been less interested in sports as a youngster.
Yeah, never been a big football fan my entire life. After starting a serious career I kinda got swept up into it.
I realized in my early 20s I do actually enjoy spectating when I started following e-sports. I was disaffected for a while when that whole space got taken over by influencers, though.
To me it comes down to story lines. I love a great story, as we all do, and professional competition you get to see them unfold in real time. You get to root for your side as it happens and then connect with the people who were there too.
So, hoping to expand my list of topics for small talk football seemed like an easy win. I dunno, not everyone needs social lubricant but it helps for me to have something to ease my anxiety.
I still am a bit behind on all the mechanics of but started playing fantasy and it helps get more fimilar with the players.
People reading this probably think I’m a real doofus because this comes natural to them. For me though, it’s like discovering a whole new genre of music and getting to hear the hits for the first time.
I had a very similar experience.
Comparing my TV habits to my partner’s I came to the conclusion that following sports is actually very similar to following a soap opera or reality show: you as the viewer are trying to predict the dynamics between the characters and what the outcome will be from a limited selection of possible outcomes. I think it’s the combination of it being unpredictable - you don’t know who will win - but also bounded in terms of possibilities (someone is going to win). That combination lets you kind of switch off your brain while watching it whilst at the same time being pure drama.
Not sure if that makes sense but thanks for reading my wacky theory!
No, this is how my wife describes it, lol.
cute girl to hug
Space and time away from everything, fresh air, sunlight, some peace and quiet, a slower and simpler way of life.
Getting paid without having to work.
If I didn’t have a job, I’d probably still work, and I’d probably be working partly for money, partly for something to do. I just wouldn’t be answering to someone else. I think “work” is misunderstood. It doesn’t have to be a bad experience, but I understand it often is. I wish more people had jobs they liked, I think that’s a better solution.
A stable career path, a loving relationship, and permanent housing.
More concise: Stability.
It’s all I ever wanted and seemingly the only thing I can never have even since childhood. I move every 2 years on average and since adulthood that’s been from basement apartment to basement apartment and now to a garage with no end in sight… I finally got to the point where I could consider buying a house and then COVID, WFH, and the invesestment parasites all blew up at once and took that away from me… I gave up on the relationship bit years ago.
Right now? Extended time off work without responsibility.
Relief of stress, which is currently made by lack of money. So money, I guess. I think in smaller terms this chocolate chip banana bread will make me short term happy though.
the only thing that could “make” me happy is a change in mindset, perhaps forced by brain damage.
as far as how I will make my own happiness, it comes down to making choices informed by my own values, painstakingly discovered through mistakes, introspection, and connections with others
Not having to go into the office. I like my job.
In the US: Universal healthcare. Having kids and having to think about healthcare even when we’re not sick or injured is such a mental drain.
Dopamine and serotonin.
right now a shower
Life stability and security. If all of my bills and debts were taken care of, I would be happy. I love my job as a welder and enjoy what I do. I look forward to the new work week on Monday morning.
I would continue working as a welder, even if I didn’t have to worry about money and bills.
The exact amount of money I have in debts at the moment.
If I was 100% debt free I could work 3-4 days a week with the same amount of money left as with debts.
This would reduce stress and give me more time and energy to improve myself
