I (38m) wrapped up my divorce last year and things have been good. I have a 9 year old daughter who I parent more than half the time and is the center of my world now. After a year of intense focus on saving and investing, I've just recovered from the $72,000 setback of my legal bills and divorce settlement. Now I'm trying to get my finances to a point where I can be financially free from having to work a soul sucking 9-to-5 corporate job. But reaching that goal is still a few years away. Is this all there is to life now?

Divorce has challenged my personal beliefs in ways that have made me a cynical person. I'm no longer interested in dating and sex. The awful false accusations I endured in divorce court made me doubt that people are innately good.

I would like to be more outgoing and make new friends, but I'm finding it very hard to do so at this age. I'm no longer as trusting, so it takes a long time to warm up. Most people don't share my same interests. I am so determined to ensure my financial survival in this harsh economic environment that I don't have time for video games, sports, or drinking with buddies like I used to.

I feel sad that my fun years as a dad caring for my child are going to pass soon. She won't need me so much in a few years, and I'm already feeling that shift. I miss having a wife and family to care for and who I think love me back as much.

I don't know where I go from here. I see a lonely journey ahead. Anyone else here feeling the same?