Do you desire relationships? I find I have withdrawn from this. I only really have one family member left since my husband passed away. I talk to my daughter.

I've tried once since, but I didn't develop feelings for him.

I haven't made new friends for a very long time.

Looking back, I think my bipolar problems just get in the way, and maybe it is the anxiety too that causes these issues.

What about you all? How do you feel?

[Wild Coyote]

I am very limited in the number of relationships to which I can attend.
I just do not have the energy.

If something happened to my H, I don't think I'd be looking for a romantic relationship. I am in touch with some family and with a few friends. I enjoy those relationships. I have difficulty keeping up with them.


WC

[Victoria'smom]

I have my husband and son I socialize with. I socialize with my family and my husband's family but I don't like to as it feels strange.

[99fairies]

I don't have any friends. Just my hubby and kids. I'm okay with that right now. One good friend to talk to would be nice, but oh well.

[Fuzzybear]

Just papa bear and a couple of friends
(I find most people in the uk don't quite understand bears ....

[wildflowerchild25]

My husband died too, a little over two years ago. I didn't want a new relationship for most of that time. It wasn't until recently that I had the desire. I'm slowly getting into the dating world. Been on a couple of dates with someone. I'm afraid though that when he discovers I have bipolar, he will run for the hills. I'm trying to show him I'm normal and have it well under control before I reveal.

I do have trouble making new friends. I don't really have the desire for superfluous friendships. Too much work. I have my two sisters in law and that's it. I don't want any more friends.

[Tucson]

I have only my daughter and a friend I have known most of my lufe to talk to. I am single and have not dated in about twenty years. I will not enter the datinng scene anytime soon, buy I do miss meeting new people.

[Afterglow13]

I have my family, a partner and a group a friends. I feel very fortunate in this aspect and in my opinion having these key elements is important to maintain stability. But I understand it's not always easy. When I have a "down", I don't speak to anyone for months. And when the opposite happens, I appear to have many people around me who, later on, leave me behind.

What matters is to establish few but close relationships that understand and love you for who you are.

[Tucson]

Originally Posted by Afterglow13

I have my family, a partner and a group a friends. I feel very fortunate in this aspect and in my opinion having these key elements is important to maintain stability. But I understand it's not always easy. When I have a "down", I don't speak to anyone for months. And when the opposite happens, I appear to have many people around me who, later on, leave me behind.

What matters is to establish few but close relationships that understand and love you for who you are.

I think a support network is very important. I do understand that many are not fortunate enough to have this in their lives.

[BipolaRNurse]

I'm a widow of 14 months and I don't know how to be not-married. I'm torn between wanting a relationship and definitely NOT wanting one, I lean more toward the latter but I also have needs, so I can't rule it out entirely.

The problem is, I am pushing 60, overweight, and bipolar. Not exactly a great candidate for the dating scene. I don't even know HOW to date, even if the opportunity should present itself; I haven't dated in over 37 years! Then again, I don't really go anywhere to meet men my age or younger (I don't want another older mate, I don't think I could go through burying another one), except for church, and most of them are married.

Besides...my hubby was the greatest, and there is no way I'll ever find another like him. Why eat hamburger when you've had filet mignon?

Still, I can't imagine being without a male companion for the rest of my life. I have a wonderful support system and I live with my son, so I'm never truly alone; but a woman has got needs and I don't want to think I'll have to go without sex forever. There wasn't much of that during the last few years of my marriage because my husband was so sick with pancreatic cancer, so I'm used to, well, taking care of myself, but there's nothing like making love with someone special. I'm not into one-night stands, either.

Well, I've rambled on long enough...didn't know I had that much to talk about. I guess it's because I'm lonely and I miss 'us'. My 37th wedding anniversary is this week and all I can think of is how much I loved those early days of our relationship...anticipating our wedding, being so excited it almost took my breath away, and being so much in love that it was almost physically painful. That's what I want to experience again, but somehow I just don't think it's in the cards.

[wonderluster]

I apparently desire a relationship too much.

I meet certain women and in a matter of hours or a few days we go from being complete strangers to both of us thinking seriously about marriage or actually getting engaged.

I am very old fashioned. I am not a player.

I desire to be married, but since my divorce 7 years ago I get involved with women who turn out to be incompatible.

This has caused me great suffering, but I have learned many important profound things.

We all just do the best we can.
We really never know what we will get ourselves into when we leave our comfort zone and start getting involved with the unknown.

Life is for learning and growing.

Life gives us what we need to do that.

Best Wishes

[Sunflower123]

I have my family and a group of friends although it drains me (I'm an introvert). I had a 20 year marriage that was so stressful that I won't even consider dating. I don't see that changing. I've been asked out several times and it's just awkward saying thanks but no thanks.

[xRavenx]

I was in a very long-term relationship and was engaged, but it ended in a pretty traumatic way, but it would take too long to type. I tried to go back to it, but he hurt me again, so I left, but it is still painful to me....even as time has passed, since he was my best friend for years.

My best girl friend, who I had in my life since childhood passed away from cancer, and that made me feel all alone. I was in one relationship after that, where I was hurt in the end. To make a long story short, I've gone on dates, but did not connect with them. I feel anti-social, possibly emotionally unavailable, and I have my guard up. I have a hard time keeping up with friends, because I lack motivation and feel tired from working a lot, but sometimes I get around to it, yet somehow feel unfulfilled. Most have spouses and families of their own, which I lack.

My self-esteem is worse now, because I thought by now, I would be happily married to my ex-fiance. I never imagined a life where I am alone, having problems living by myself, lacking finances to keep up a place, and feeling inferior. I like the idea of being in a relationship, yet lack interest and feel I'd have difficulties maintaining them. I have a tendency to connect with quirky people, who have a good sense of humor when I want to be in a *long term* lasting relationship, although I with aquaintances and friends, I connect with a lot of people with all different personalities. I guess I've just stayed in a shell ever since taking a lot of losses and losing trust.