How life changed since becoming a dad. Identity shifts, things you miss, things you gained, the transformation of fatherhood.
553 threads
Just hit 5 years sober and became a dad two years ago. I'm looking at pictures from my twenties and I don't even recognize that guy. Back then I was the dude who'd disappear on wee
5 months sober here and I'm having an identity crisis. I was the fun dad who could party with anyone, now I'm the guy who orders sparkling water. Sounds dumb but I genuinely don't
Man I can't believe it's been a year since I decided to get my life together. Used to come home from work and just collapse on the couch with beer and my phone for hours. My kids w
I spent the first year after the split chasing the lifestyle I thought I'd lost. Dated around, tried to be young again, kept telling myself this was my second chance. Then I realiz
So I walked away from a six figure job to stay home with the kids while my wife's career took off. I miss the money, the adult conversations, having an identity beyond 'dad.' But I
I used to spend hours thinking about who I was and what I wanted to be. Pretty existential stuff. Then my first kid was born and suddenly the question became way simpler: am I doin
Used to just wake up on Saturday and decide to go to the beach or catch a movie. Now I'm color-coding a calendar in my phone with soccer practice, dance lessons, dentist appointmen
I used to be able to just go to the gym whenever, sleep on my stomach, take hot showers. Now there's always a kid attached to me or waking me up or asking for something. My body is
Got married 4 years ago and we have 2 kids now. Don't get me wrong, best decision ever. But man do I miss sleeping in. Just sleeping until like 10am on a Saturday without someone n
Had my second kid 2 years ago and somewhere between school pickups, coaching little league, and just the general chaos I lost myself. Used to be a guy who went to concerts, travele
When my son was born I was working 70 hour weeks at a job I hated trying to climb a ladder nobody wanted to climb. After he was born something just clicked. I realized I was missin
I backpacked through 14 countries in my twenties. That WAS my identity. Booked flights on a whim, stayed in hostels, had stories. Now I'm planning 2-hour beach trips with enough su
Left my job 2 years ago when our second was born. Wife makes more, the math worked out, and we didn't want daycare. Old me would've thought this was failure. New me realizes I was
Spent 18 months getting fit, went from 260 to 180. Felt amazing, new wardrobe, confidence through the roof. Started dating my now-wife. Then kids happened and my priorities shifted
Man I don't even recognize myself anymore. Before kids I was up til 2-3am playing Call of Duty, sleeping til noon on weekends, and my entire identity was basically 'that guy who kn
Had a sick minimalist apartment before kids. Everything had its place, no clutter, dark furniture, looked like a magazine spread. Then kids happened. Now there's toys EVERYWHERE, w
Turned down a promotion to move to part time work so I could actually be present for my kids. This was 2 years ago and I still second guess it sometimes. The salary hit stung and I
Used to spend every weekend hitting different countries, living out of a backpack, no plans. Now I'm coordinating carpool schedules and my idea of adventure is trying a new pizza p
Pre-kids I was at the gym 6 days a week, meal prepping, counting macros, the whole thing. Had abs. Could bench press 315. Now I'm lucky if I get 3 workouts in a week and most of th
Two years ago I was that guy who stayed out till 2am on weekends, took spontaneous road trips, spent $200 a week on hobbies I don't even remember. Now my idea of a wild Friday nigh