very welcome! perhaps finding a book club could help with this, or reading at the park or cafe :)

Maybe a cliché response, but all the times I felt loneliness in my life, I embraced it and even be-friended it. I sat with it, and just let myself feel the feeling. I think that's one of the unique things about being human sometimes; we can feel the full spectrum of human emotions. Emotions come and go; I think someone said that a human emotion lasts for 90 seconds or so. I guess - if loneliness is chronic and reoccurring, I would seek out ways to connect with others, one step at a time; maybe reading a book, listening to a podcast, cooking something for someone, volunteering, join a local walking club, etc.

That makes sense, and it sounds like you've found a sense of safety in the dreams. Agreed with life being both beautiful and challenging at times! Good for you for undergoing this personal development work 👏

That's pretty neat that you have intense, vivid dreams that excites you and is almost like a portal to the playground that you described. I could see how makes it hard to want to get up when you're playing in a playground!

I don't have lucid dreams, and sleeping to me is more for rest and recovery so my body can heal and restore itself so I have the energy to get up and live my life. Generally, I wake up excited to get moving! I wake up excited to start my morning routine and get my day started. Mornings are my favorite because there is so much possibility for the rest of the day - you never know what can unfold. It's like a mini reset every single day which is super exciting to me.

Hmmm - what kinds of things do you enjoy or have some curiosity around? I think those are the places to go to :)

I love this response because it shows that you are reflective and self-aware, which tbh, most guys seem to lack these days.

there's a difference between staying frugal and being thoughtful/intentional and I will say some of my best dates did not involve spending any money.

as for your biggest hurdle - if you don't go out out a lot and enjoy spending time by yourself - how do you expect people to meet/find/approach you? I'd suggest trying to engage in simple conversation in everyday life. And if you are a catch, I'm sure girls would be THRILLED that a good catch is engaging with them in a non-creepy way. ie - waiting in line at a coffee shop - I'm trying to decide between these two flavors, what is your favorite? At the park - that looks like an interesting book - how do you like it? etc etc. You don't need to introduce yourself formally HI I'm Tom - just organically enter the convo like you're already in it - trust me, this personally works wonders!

Good luck! :)