Anyone been alone for a long time or always and find it really hard to listen/ care about people’s relationships?

[AllAloneInThisHouse]

I know the this makes me a horrible people, I just don’t know where to find the energy or care to be interested.

I just zone out when people start talking about partners, or kids.
I think it’s self-preservation, trying to numb myself from hurt and loneliness….

I've only been single 2.5 years and I already feel like this.

I'm happy to talk about kids as I have DC myself but people's relationships just bore and annoy me. Mainly because most people I know have pretty rubbish relationships and I just think 'leave him'.

I have no interest in tolerating bad relationships anymore and the mean part of me wonders why anyone does!

Single for 8 years after a nightmare marriage. I think what irritates me most about hearing about people's relationships is these tiny niggles they have with their partners and all I can think is crikey, you don't know you're born! That's not abuse! I know that sounds like I'm minimising their 'issues' but when they say like oh he doesn't get a fresh toilet roll out when he's emptied the roll (or similar bits of nonsense), I just switch off.

I’m happily married and I feel like that too!

Oh, thank goodness!
I was starting get worried and can’t exactly say these things out loud.

I love people, all people, they are fascinating.

So no I don't get bored, but then I guess I have the time and luxury not to feel jealous or bored.

I challenge people I find dumb/boring. Language is an amazing tool.

People are fascinating.

@frozendaisy

Not exactly what was asked here…..

So just be honest.
I have had lonely times, it's never dulled my interest in others.
If you were in a relationship that the biggest issue was changing a toilet roll you would say that and expect people to care or at least listen. Is it their way of showing off how wonderful their relationship is? Perhaps, perhaps not. Perhaps that is all their relationship gives their lives rather than a solid platform to learn, explore new things.

Tell people that their silly little relationship nonsense is boring to you. Then they should stop and talk about something else.

Say "oh try being me I would love to have someone who put the forks in the knife slot"

Mix it up.
See what happens.

Honestly, I understand you less and less.

But I can’t believe think telling a woman you don’t want to hear about her man or kids is a good idea.

I rememver an old thread here asking if it’s okey to ask their friends not to talk THAT MUCH about men/kids and they were calle unreasonable, because relationships are big part of life.

‘I think it’s self-preservation, trying to numb myself from hurt and loneliness….’

Yes. It’s horrible.

I agree with @frozendaisy — if people are boring you on any topic, tell them. Spouses and kids are not exempt.

It's weddings for me and the drama that people make out of them. It is definitely a bit of self preservation and a bit of jealousy too.

Not single, but I very rarely see my "partner" of 6 years so I guess that counts as being alone. I try and avoid hearing about others relationships because it makes me jealous and wish I had what they have. I feel it makes me a selfish person but I can't help how I feel

I don't mind hearing about relationships but any kind of petty drama just turns me off.

And that's true of everything. I don't mind thoughtful big talk about parenting, career, job, house but low level drama I just cannot be doing with.

I live my love life vicariously through others - I can pick and choose the most interesting bits and zone out at the rubbish/depressing/boring bits.

In a real relationship I’d have to deal with that shit.

I've been single for 10 years. I've zero interest in finding a relationship or hearing about anyone else's. Total snooze fest.