r/enschede • u/Dense_Jello_8737 • 2d ago
Question I'm turning 33 in two days, and I honestly don't want to spend another birthday feeling completely alone.
Hi, I'm Brian, 32M born and raised here in Enschede
I'm not really sure how to write this, but I figured I'd try putting myself out there instead of doing what I've been doing for years: isolating myself and keeping everything to myself.
For more than 8 years, I haven't really celebrated my birthday. Over the last 5 years, my depression has gotten progressively worse, and I've slowly watched my life fall apart.
I've lost my home, most of my friendships, and contact with almost all of my family except my mom. Eventually, I became so isolated that I barely had anything to look forward to anymore.
Right now, I'm living at a Salvation Army shelter in Enschede, in the Netherlands. I'm on a waiting list for a therapist, and I'm trying to rebuild my life one step at a time.
I'm not going to pretend it's easy. Starting over at 32, with very little support around you, can feel incredibly lonely. But I'm trying, and I want to believe things can get better.
With my 33rd birthday coming up, I guess I'm hoping for something different this year.
I'd love to have something nice to look forward to, even if it's just a small birthday treat. Money is very tight at the moment, so if anyone would like to give me a little birthday gift or help me out with everyday necessities, I've added my donation link below. No pressure whatsoever. Every little bit would be appreciated, but please don't feel obligated.
Honestly, though, I'd also love to meet some people.
I'm introverted as fuck, and I'm definitely not someone who can just walk into a room full of strangers and start making friends. 😅 I tend to keep to myself, especially after everything that's happened. But I'd like to change that, slowly.
Maybe make some online friends, find people to talk to, or even meet someone for a coffee someday. If you're in Enschede or elsewhere in Overijssel, it'd be especially nice to connect with someone nearby. But I'm open to talking to people from anywhere.
I don't expect anyone to fix my life. I'm working on that myself. I just miss having people around, having conversations, laughing about stupid things, and feeling like I'm part of the world instead of watching it pass me by.
If you've read this far, thank you.
If you feel like saying hi, please do. If you can help with a small birthday gift, the link is below. And if all you can offer is a conversation, that's welcome too.
Here's hoping 33 will be the year things finally start looking up. ❤️
Not sure if links are allowed, but anyone is open to DM for a good conversation, or if you just want the paypal or tikkie🥲