How to leave the house

From the perspective of someone who just moved from a developed to a developing city, please don't get a dog out of giving up. Have/adopt a child instead. Dogs/cats are indirectly being used to hack out the desire to parent offspring in developed nations which is really sad.

If you value socializing then create the opportunity for it, join a group activity or start one in your city and use social media to announce meets and eventually people will come. Shared experience is the most powerful social glue between people.

If you want to date go out Thu/Fri/Sat nights and sample Bars/Clubs in your city until you find 2-3 ones you like. Then start hanging out there every week until you feel comfortable. The goal is not to talk to attractive people, but to meet peers who are in the same position as you and then start/join a guys/girls group to do things together every week.

If you really like dogs and want to have a pet, then go for it. Just don't use it as a form of giving up on fundamental human needs, you're more resourceful than that.

> Have/adopt a child instead.

> Just don't use it as a form of giving up on fundamental human needs, you're more resourceful than that.

This glib advice is what lands you in an uncomfortable HR meeting or is the reason you won't get invited back for game nights. This will be deeply hurtful to families struggling with fertility or adoption and to individuals who experienced the foster system.

Neither apathy nor ignorance affect adoption or pregnancy. Families will be excluded by the staggering costs, marital status, employment history, disability, and gender and sexual identity.

Ive written a few versions of this reply. Some included my personal background having been moved by protective services, or some emotional stories about my siblings in the foster system, some with swears, and one was simply "check yourself." The issue is deeply personal. More advocacy is always appreciated, but I implore you to tune in.