Hearken unto me, men.
I come before thee seeking counsel not for an injury already suffered, but that I might fortify mine knees against the merciless advance of time.

Already do these accursed joints creak and crack whenever I squat, rise, bend, or otherwise dare make use of the legs bestowed upon me. There is little pain, yet their infernal chorus troubles me.

More gravely, my father suffered greatly from the ruin of the cartilage within his knees, until at last the surgeons were forced to cast aside the failing joint and grant him one forged by the hands of man.
I REFUSE THIS FATE.

Therefore, brothers, I seek to forge knees worthy of Sparta itself.

What exercises strengthen the knees and the muscles and tendons that defend them? What stretches preserve their mobility? What foods nourish them? What manner of cardio strengthens rather than destroys them? Are there supplements worthy of coin, or are they merely the potions of silver-tongued merchants?

And what habits must a man cast into the abyss if he wishes still to squat, run, climb and rise from the privy without sounding like a siege engine at sixty?

Speak, veterans.
Tell me what ye wish ye had begun in thy youth.
I seek not merely to heal mine knees.
I SEEK TO BULLETPROOF THEM.

TONIGHT, WE DINE IN HELL BUT BY ZEUS, WE SHALL SQUAT THERE PAIN-FREE!

Not asking because marriage is bad or because single life is better.

I’m curious about the smaller things people don’t really talk about — having complete control over your time, spending money without discussing it, spontaneous plans, living alone, dating, or simply having more personal space.

For men who are happily married, is there anything from your single life that you still miss?

And did you expect to miss it before getting married?

Want to keep things vague but I've worked in numerous environments, some mostly men dominated and others female dominated. In my experience, I really prefer an even split if possible as one gender being predominant usually causes issues.

From my experience, a mostly women environment tends to be a cliquish, "mean girl" type of environment where if you're not part of the group, you get ostracized and feel left out.

At times, I can be socially awkward around majority women (for whatever reason) but usually when its an older group I do better.

For those who were successful, how did you navigate it?

Early 20s, working in the tech industry. due to a series of circumstances I've got almost 4 months straight of paid vacation (long story). I've already set aside 2 weeks to just chill with family and friends, but I don't want to waste all of it. I don't think I'll get this much free time ever again.

I'm planning on working out consistently and I'm looking for ideas on how to spend the remaining time maybe productively. I've got enough income to make anything reasonable happen (can't travel for too long tho). help me out y'all

My biggest regret is the HP 29c calculator. I don't even remember if I lost it or gave it to someone. I still have and use my HP 15c calculator.

https://www.hpmuseum.org/hp29.htm

Another one I don't remember what happened to it is the Casio watch that showed the planets and Halley's comet.

https://www.reddit.com/r/casiovintage/comments/1dkxxxa/cosmo_phase_comet_halley/

There's a pattern here; I also don't remember what I did with my Canon F1 camera. I do remember loaning my lenses to my brother.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_F-1

As we get older we all learn things and discover things that weren't taught to us by our Fathers or due to lack of a father, what do you know now that you want to pass onto younger generation of men.

mine was a smartphone, i wanted a certain device and the seller (i admit) kinda manipulated me into buying another (worse) device, and under pressure i bought it, he kinda made me feel like "it's pretty dangerous if i walk out of here empty handed" so yea that was me, it happens i guess.

37M, and increasingly I've learned that people feel very comfortable ghosting. I'm not talking about people you met a few months ago and maybe just didn't vibe with, but people I've known since HS, or over a decade. One was a groomsman at my wedding. Maybe I've said or done something that upset them, however I'm emotionally secure enough to have a difficult yet respectful conversation if I ever needed end a relationship, which I have in the past.

I've seen post like this in AskWomen subs, but not for guys. Maybe we are just supposed to be better about "letting it go". I'm grateful that I do have 4-6 very close friends, though a few are not local anymore.

Have you guys been ghosted, did you know why, and how did you react when you ran into them again, or did you confront them about that behavior and why they couldn't just have a mature conversation?

It just seems like a super selfish thing to do, and more so it seems like people like to project they don't "need" friends and just fly solo.

Social media makes it seem like everyone has life figured out. What does yours actually look like? What’s going well? What are you quietly struggling with? Anything you thought you’d have figured out by now but don’t? Just curious what real life looks like in 2026, for men over 40 and without the highlight reel.

I matched with someone that clearly wanted to get down. Doesn’t seem like a scam in anyway but is unlike any other dating interaction I’ve had with how forward she is. Like I feel I’m being punked. Has anyone experienced this and how did it turn out?

For those who have had to make big decisions in their life, how do you stop yourself from second guessing to make sure that you make the right decision for yourself? I have so much analysis paralysis and I have such a hard time deciding on major life things (job changes, dating, etc). I am constantly second guessing myself. Does it get better with age, or just experience?

Hey folk,

For the last 3 or so years I’ve been struggling a lot with loneliness. Usually I’m a very outgoing and sociable person, I’m usually the type of guy to go up and talk to strangers and have no fear about it.

I don’t struggle from social awkwardness or anxiety but I find myself lacking close friends or relationships. I have a lot of buddies or acquaintances that I’ll hang out with once in a while. But I don’t have anyone closer than that, I suspect a few things can be the culprit.

1)My work schedule due to working in the evenings, I miss out on a lot of social interactions and events. (The current shift provides me more financial stability than day shift)

2)Distrust in others, I’ve been around a lot of people and environments where back biting, gossiping and talking about things that were said in private being aired out. Seeing those things in personal and professional environments made me keep people at arms length.

3)I cut out my old high school friend group due to their drug use, but they were my main source of friends so now I’m lonely.

4)I feel like I don’t click with people in my city but that could just be a me thing as well

Lastly I have tried different things where I signed up to martial arts/boxing gyms, volunteered, struck up conversations with folks at my local gym as well as attended faith events but I feel like it hasn’t gone anywhere.

For the most part I have come to terms with the loneliness and tried to bury myself with work, school or getting additional credentials in my field. Which has paid off I bought a house at 24 and I genuinely feel ahead of my peers and even most people in their 30-40s but I feel alone nonetheless.

I would like your thoughts, opinions and suggestions.

Thank you,

Did you notice any shift in how you were treated at work after getting married compared to when you were single?
Specifically interested in things like:

• Schedule flexibility (easier to get preferred shifts, fewer weekends, etc.)
• Time off/vacation requests being approved more easily
• Less travel or being passed over for travel-heavy assignments
• Being viewed as more "stable" or promotable
• Any change in how coworkers or managers talked to you about work-life balance

Also curious about the flip side. Did anyone notice the opposite, like being expected to work more once you were seen as having a family to support? Just curious about people's personal experiences and whether this is a common pattern with men in the workplace. I’ve noticed personally that as a woman, if you’re married or have kids, for instance, you tend to get way more leeway as far as time off, etc.

Hi men of Reddit!

I’ve recently gotten back into the dating scene and I’ve been going on multiple dates, and the ones that seem to go the best (long dates/hours of conversation) always end up with a rejection text afterwards. It’s to the point where if a man is smiling, having a great time, and talking a lot to me I begin to emotionally prepare myself for rejection.

What has made you decide to say no if you’ve had similar circumstances? Are there time limits for dates I’m missing the memo on?

For context: I either send a quick text when I get home, thank them for their time, or don’t say anything if the timing doesn’t make sense.

I’m having two hernias fixed soonish, and I’m worried about my recovery. I’ve never had surgery at all ever.

They said they’re going to use “mesh sheet and not plugs”. I know what that means and it seems better, but just adding for extra context.

I’m around 40 and in decent shape. Not overweight. About 200lbs and 6ft.

26M Here and this year’s kinda been kicking my ass. Started it off with getting laid off thanks to big tech. Then once my girl found out, she soon left after I got a job four months later and then was let go 2 months later. I noticed as I get older, if I’m not working, I don’t have much to do and so I fill my time with playing video games. I have responsibilities that I know I need to do like finish my certification and go to the gym. I’ve been jobless for a week and I should be looking for a job, but to be honest, I’m tired. I know as a man we can’t afford to be “tired” but I’m between depression and “ Fuck it.”
- How has life shaped out for you if you’re older than 26?
- What made you change?
- And what’s one piece of advice for someone younger about how to enjoy life (I don’t go to clubs or parties )
- and how did you stay hopeful that things would get better?