[phobosanomaly]

I mostly just fill my time with work and hobbies. The rest of the time I spend alone with myself.

Doesn't fill the mental needs, but you just get better at suppressing them over the years.

Would be nice to meet someone who shared my interests and take on life, but the only ones I've found don't find me particularly attractive or already got snatched up. And what's the point of starting a relationship with someone who doesn't share your interests and take on life? Fear of dying alone? That doesn't seem to me to be a good enough reason.

Eh, well, dying alone doesn't seem too bad in an era where you can literally pursue any fascinating hobby you want with relatively low startup costs (FPV drones, dirt bikes, rock climbing, backpacking around the world, you name it).

[jimmygrapes]

I feel you. Something to consider though, regarding shared interests: I have found it more pleasing to learn about somebody else's interests rather than simply affirming my own. Eventually it tends towards each side learning to like the others interests, or at least be familiar with them.

The problem I see is the lack of genuine interest in many. I don't really think that (in general) "video games" or "the office" or "anime" are interests, unless it becomes either uncomfortably obsessive (negative) or creation (positive). Same can go for things like hiking, board games, partying... these are activities, not really interests. People seem afraid to expose what truly interests them even long into a relationship.

[phobosanomaly]

Your point about interests is interesting.

What would you consider an interest that would catch your attention?

If hiking is an activity, then would the interest be 'getting outdoors.'