This is my first time trying out one of these forums. The big things that I would love to chat about relate to feelings of isolation around the holidays and how young singles navigate dating when they feel so different than those they meet. It's exhausting going through the dating process and having them ask questions about your family. It's like, you don't want to lie, but you also have to be careful about not overwhelming the person. I often feel stuck and don't have someone I can relate to. On the outside, not a single person suspects that I had a difficult upbringing, as I truly am a joyful person and am lucky enough that outside people in my life offered support and encouragement. But I feel like a total outsider and oddball. I'm 31 years old, and I want a family of my own more than anything. I know that women my age, despite upbringings, struggle with this, so it's not an unusual thing, but it still feels pretty isolating, especially when you throw in the back story.
So that's me! I also love hiking, running, cooking, baking, and my dog, in case you're into that, too.
