From party guy to father of three - who even am I

3d ago1 min read

Ten years ago I was the guy who went out every weekend, slept till noon on Sundays, bought whatever I wanted. Had a kid at 25 and everything shifted. Now I'm that dad in the grocery store at 7am with three kids in the cart, worried about budgets and bedtime routines. Sometimes I see old friends living that life and I feel this weird pang but then my daughter hugs me and I can't imagine going back. But some days I miss just being able to leave the house without an hour of planning. Is that normal or am I just nostalgic for something that wasn't actually that great?

6 comments246 views

Comments(6)

LLance K.Regular2d ago

Identity crisis is real but you're not losing who you are, you're just finding out who you actually are when you're not performing for people. That might be better.

BBenNew Dad2d ago

This is a real thing and it's wild watching it happen in real time with my buddies. You're not losing yourself though, you're just evolving into a different version. The party guy is still in there, he just shows up at a kids birthday party now.

VVic H.Regular3d ago

Three kids in and I'm right there with you. The guy who slept till noon would be shocked at how pumped I get about my daughter's volleyball games now. You're not losing yourself, you're just becoming a different version that's probably cooler than you think.

KKevin P.Regular3d ago

Man, I felt this hard. Ten years in and I'm still figuring out who I am with two kids and a co-parenting schedule. The party guy version of me is gone, but honestly helping my kids with homework every night hits different than any Saturday night ever did.

DDannyRegular3d ago

Ten years is a whole life cycle, man. But honestly the new you sounds way more solid. Better to be boring and present than party hard and miss everything.

-1

EEdRegular2d ago

I get this too. Some nights I miss the spontaneity but then my kid laughs at something stupid I said and I'm like okay, this is actually the best version of my life even if it's quieter.