Even homebodies need some social connection

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/09/2020 (2207 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: Utterly miserable is how I’d describe myself. My live-in girlfriend just broke up with me and moved out. She was all I had of value.

I’m not a rich man by any means, but I do have a job. I just took two weeks off work pretending I was sick, but I’m actually heartsick. She says she’s never coming back because I’m too dependent on her. What does she want? Isn’t that true love? She was it — my one and only!

She says I have no interests besides work, and I just sit around at home. Well, hell, I’m tired from work every day. I wanted to give her what’s left at 6 p.m., not go off and leave her! She works a day job too, so she should know how that feels.

I just want to eat and watch TV or a movie cuddled up with her. She says that’s not enough! Please help me.

— Helpless Homebody, West Kildonan

Dear Helpless: There are other homebodies just like you, and you’d be best to look for one as a new girlfriend. But you must also amp up your social game so you have at least one interest beyond your new lady and keep your work going as well, of course. How about a quick nap and a shower after work to revive you for some fun activity?

Frankly, a person with no interests beyond work and who just wants to their feet up may seem boring to a partner and be a drag on their own energy. To get started in these COVID-19 times, choose a sport like geocaching. Alone or with a friend, you look for prizes walking different routes guided by a map and GPS. For full information, visit gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/recreation-and-activities/geocaching. Those who take part in geocaching share tips, so it can become a social group you can gradually get to know. It’s also great fun for dating couples, friends or solo drivers and hikers. When you find someone, you’ll have something exciting to share other than staring at a screen.

Dear Mis​s Lonelyhearts: My girlfriend is a great cook and we have developed big guts since being at home so much during the pandemic. We need to smarten up, but so far our attempts at dieting have crashed with pig-outs because we feel so deprived.

What do you suggest we do so people see us as the fit people we used to be six months ago, before we started working from our home offices?

— Paunchy Pair, Fort Garry

Paunchy Pair: The safest way to drop weight right now would be online, and you can find many programs, the best-known being Weight Watchers (weightwatchers.com).

You’ll need to pair that with a regular exercise program to get back your pre-COVID-19 muscles. People who tend to stay at home often get motivated when they wear smart devices on their wrists to measure every step they take, giving them immediate feedback and impetus to amp it up with walks and other exercise.

You can still walk and run comfortably outside as it starts to get chilly, as long as you have the right clothes, and face and head coverings. You don’t have to stay in your boring old neighbourhood either. There are more than 1,300 parks in Winnipeg — very small to very big and very small. Get out and explore them on foot or by bike.

Kudos to you for deciding to do something!

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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