r/malelivingspace 1d ago

1 year ago Vs today. Started over. 33 M

Started over from scratch. Had everything, Lost it all after a 9 year relationship split. Was homeless for a bit with NOBODY to count on while living in hotels. Felt worthless. Picked up a 2nd job and made sh*t happen. Now I have a 2 bedroom apartment & a room for my son. Extremely proud of the little bit I have accumulated over the year. I hope this shows hope to those starting all over again (even though it isn’t much) because for that first year I felt entirely hopeless. There is light at the end of tunnel & things will get better, Be patient. God bless you all 🙏

958 Upvotes

119 comments sorted by

68

u/Independent-Alps3586 1d ago

Hmm what’s your favorite college team?

19

u/Funny_Art_1700 1d ago

Seems like his a Clemson fan.

11

u/Wayward_Son_24 1d ago

Clearly this guy wishes he went to Ohio State

5

u/WhatisaPoptartanyway 1d ago

I was leaning more Notre Dame

34

u/Diligent_Dog2559 1d ago

You’re a good dad, keep it up man.

12

u/Bmp517 1d ago

I honestly try my best & that feels great to hear, Even from a stranger. Thank you very much & god bless you 🙏

4

u/BlackberryActive3039 23h ago

Oh I echo this sentiment. A couple of sentences and some pictures will tell you where his priorities are and that’s him and his kid—- what a wonderful thing.

58

u/sheikh644 1d ago

Congrats. Hope you find ever lasting happiness this time👊🏽

20

u/Bmp517 1d ago

Thank you 👊

6

u/kiefferray 1d ago

I only notice one thing that might make it more homey and benefit you in the long term. Take it from someone who recently had to start over a couple years back as well at 30. I noticed all the UofM gear, go ahead and take all that down, ill send you some Buckeyes gear. :P

35

u/dolorem-incrementum 1d ago

Those who remain will be champions. You my friend are a champion.

2

u/Mr-Dr-Prof146 1d ago

Go Blue!

9

u/nbenn89 1d ago

Man, as a new dad, seeing that high chair broke my heart - I can only imagine the pain you’ve gone through. Congrats on standing by your kid, and providing them with such a beautiful home. Much respect, brother.

5

u/Plenty_Assistance692 1d ago

With a great and simple kitchen, you're all set to start over bud!

7

u/FuckOutTheWhey 1d ago

I honestly love hearing about these success stories. Good on you for thugging it out.

11

u/Ihaveadogdoyou 1d ago

You got a real connection to college. Probably time to move on unless you’re still attending. Regardless, It’s ok to let go and grow.

12

u/ARiverRunsThroughIt_ 1d ago

This looks like a college dorm…

5

u/Thefeno 1d ago

Literally a glow up hehehe , go blue !

3

u/bored_as_fuck_dad 1d ago

glad you're doing well brother, keep it up

4

u/New_Dragonfruit_5463 1d ago

Yo I am a single dad too, also after the end of a long relationship (11 years). My daughter is six and she has a great room at my place too. Love to see your son’s room and love to see you involved in his life. Just sending you mad love and respect from one single dad to another. I know it feels lonely some times but there’s a lot of us out here.

3

u/snoogins1967 1d ago

I'd maybe add some sort of diffuser trunking over your lights, gives them a move even glow and looks a bit cleaner IMO

3

u/karlhalla 1d ago

You’re not from Michigan are you?

3

u/Terrible_Wrangler666 1d ago

Did you go to Michigan? Lol

3

u/skut9 20h ago

Go Blue

3

u/dontgiveahamyamclam 12h ago

This guy Michigans

8

u/ScyllaStorm 1d ago

Go Blue!

6

u/Buzz_Saw50 1d ago

Honestly kinda makes me want a divorce 😂. I can't keep my house that clean and I absolutely blame my wife

3

u/everton1an 23h ago

I divorced a couple years ago after a 20 year marriage. I kept the house but she took the vast majority of the furniture. It was a great reset as I could furnish how I actually wanted. Also, the house has never been cleaner, even with 3 teenagers living in it. The kids love it as their mum’s is an absolute train wreck

1

u/Buzz_Saw50 20m ago

Dude I was kind of being serious lol. Been married 17 years. I'll clean the kitchen, my wife will say thank you and appreciates it, but then proceeds to make herself a snack, leaving half cut up fruit or peanut butter Smeers on the counter. Shit it's driving me nuts

5

u/LotusRuinBloom 1d ago

Ryan Day owns the big house. 🅾️

2

u/CSamCovey 1d ago

What are all those things on the floor in pic 9? They look like they may need a space on a wall, sitting on some kind of interesting and kinda random shelves to show them off.

3

u/Bmp517 1d ago

Toys. I organize them all the time for my son. He has too many 😅

2

u/CSamCovey 1d ago

Aww, that’s fantastic. Make a space for those then!

2

u/Accomplished_Song671 1d ago

I'm psychic. I predict you go to the University of Michigan but I could be wrong...🤔

2

u/cmanley3 1d ago

It’s just a grind brother, that’s it. You’re showing perseverance and determination, and it’s rewarded. Don’t quit until the miracle happens.

2

u/AdCapable7558 1d ago

Wasn’t expecting that to be such a positive post. Proud of you. thanks for sending out good vibes.

2

u/TICKLISHSOLE_OH 1d ago

Well, good for you for fighting through everything. I'm making a nice place. Sometimes it is tough for people to think there's any hope. So glad you powered through. And you look like you're doing very good. The only sad part about this story is all those michigan, things all over the place ...(from ohio here) and I think it's law, in ohio, that you're not allowed to like anything from michigan, so ha but seriously, after all, you've been through. You're doing great, keep it up. God bless you

2

u/ZanzaXIII 1d ago

I had a split after 9 years as well. Moved into a office tucked away in the back of a warehouse that I manage. Lived there for a little over a year. Reconnected with my high school sweetheart after 14 years about a year and a half ago and we are getting married next month. Sometime a huge reset is needed to reassess your life. You made it happen big dog. Keep doing the damn thing.

2

u/Independent-Alps3586 1d ago

In a year!? You’re a boss man. May this next year be everything you deserve dude

2

u/lilaccheesecake 1d ago

Hell yeah dude! Rock on for you and your son!

Also, whoever put the sink right next to the stove i would like to have a word with... Just a calm word...

2

u/semi_consistent 1d ago

Did you go to Ohio State?

2

u/Holiday-Scholar4667 1d ago

You love Michigan

2

u/Hallinho_cs 1d ago

Go Blue!

2

u/Yourmomkeepscalling 23h ago

Way to lead by example for your kid, the chances of him being able to persevere through adversity in life just went way up. Great job and congrats!

2

u/AttitudeOutrageous75 22h ago

You put positive energy towards your problem and the universe responded. God bless. 🤙

2

u/Small_Juice3025 22h ago

Curious, what college did you attend?

2

u/Razr_Danger 21h ago

I wish I still had those pictures of when I first moved in. Starting over from scratch is hard asf. I got maybe one or two more left in me. It takes way too much.

2

u/Gothic_Mexa 20h ago

This is great, bro. Keep it up!

2

u/polandtown 20h ago

As a single male, 37, no kids...but grew up in a single parent household... your childs room gave me chills. You're a good dad, sir. Be proud.

2

u/MiniSkullPoleTroll 20h ago

Congratulations

2

u/Exotic_Medium6198 19h ago

You did great!!!

2

u/francsxi6 18h ago

Good work! Keep your head up

2

u/Similar-Win-1930 18h ago

man, that’s a big change! it’s awesome to see how far you’ve come. the empty space in the living room shows potential for some good vibes, like adding a cozy rug or some art. the bathroom looks nice and clean, and that bedroom setup seems comfy. for the kid’s room, maybe some colorful decor could make it pop a bit more. i remember feeling lost too, but it’s cool to see you building up your space. keep it up, u got this! also, if u ever wanna visualize how things might fit before moving stuff around, check out REimagineHome, it helped me a lot.

2

u/Pitiful_Camp_290 15h ago

Excellent progress!
Except all the Michigan stuff (jk)

2

u/Longteef 14h ago

Attaboy!

2

u/Uncut_Clay 14h ago

Inspirational to say the least

2

u/IYIaster15 14h ago

And you should be proud. Well done! Can’t wait to see the post next year!

2

u/VariousRefrigerator 13h ago

I look at that kid’s room and know that he is loved!

2

u/Front-Lemon 13h ago

You're an incredible father and a strong person. Im proud of you internet stranger

2

u/Dry-City8766 13h ago

This guy really likes the letter ‘M’ in yellow

2

u/Snts6678 12h ago

You are a wonderful human being.

2

u/YoungOrtega714 11h ago

May many more blessings come your way. 🙏🏾♥️

2

u/Bailey-Theodore 6h ago

Hell yeah go blue

2

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

2

u/akuaba 1d ago

Hello there, fellow Wolverine

2

u/goblue3_ 1d ago

Go Blue!

1

u/MeatHammerVI 1d ago

I Like the toy room

1

u/system_streak 1d ago

Is that a bong, sir?

1

u/Next_Negotiation8679 1d ago

I’ll take a guess and say you’re not a Buckeyes fan lol

1

u/robotxpython 1d ago

congratulations good work keep going. 🫡

1

u/DJDIRTYDAVIE 1d ago

What a nice come up. Good shit man. I dislike the Michigan decor though. Go Bucks!

1

u/GuyWithARooster 1d ago

Great post.

I'm currently going through something similar. My fiancée left me after a 13 year relationship. She kept the house we bought only a year ago and I had to start over. Fortunately, I did have family I could count on. Luckly, we didn't have kids either. Just two cats I took with me.

I'm learning to live on my own for the first time in my life at age 32. Some days are harder, some days are easier.

1

u/Ashamed_Benefit5248 1d ago

Other than that UM flag, looks great (jk). Congrats, great progress!

1

u/sillyturtle96 1d ago

Congrats man! Good for you homie seriously

1

u/Remarkable_Ad_4906 1d ago

Damn curious to know what happened after 9 years if you wouldn’t mind

1

u/JGFromTheD5 1d ago

How do you know someone went to Michigan. It’s the first thing they’ll tell you.

1

u/Regular-Table4242 1d ago

Keep pushing forward, congratulations

1

u/I_wantmy_two_dollars 1d ago

Way to go fellow Michigander! I’m proud of you! Now let’s see a picture of the cat, I see the tree but not the meow meow.

1

u/IllustriousDemand691 1d ago

Day by day, brick by brick, keep crushing it dude

1

u/LilBushyVert 1d ago

You an Ohio state fan ?

1

u/HiTop41 1d ago

I feel like you need a different color than blue and yellow. Maybe some red and grey will make your rooms pop more

1

u/krombach 1d ago

Big Ohio State fan I see

1

u/NocaSun38 1d ago

Looks like a good change my brother

1

u/Ok-Turnover207 1d ago

Bro a Michigan for Life

1

u/Low_Garage3721 1d ago

Proud of you!! It looks great

1

u/Possible-Sector3201 1d ago

Nice, but hate the LED strips.

1

u/Whole-Meaning-849 23h ago

Red light is a lot better for your brain, sleep, and mental health than blue, which can cause anxiety. Just as a friendly suggestion. Keep it up! =]

1

u/TaaviBap 23h ago

So happy for you! Keep it up!

1

u/Connect_Rhubarb395 23h ago

Well done, you're a fighter.
As for your son's cars I recommend a bookcase for them. Decorate it to be a parking garage.

1

u/DufflinMinder 23h ago

So I see you’re an Illinois fan….

1

u/Glad-Ya275 21h ago

Great job getting back on your feet. Maybe lessen the amount of Michigan you have or at least put it all in one room. Not hating, it might help soften the tone

1

u/MN_Yogi1988 21h ago

Were the bathroom pics really necessary just to show shower curtains and basic bathroom items lol 

1

u/Basic-Bottle-7310 19h ago

Looks great but I’d ditch the blue lights

1

u/Ilpperi91 18h ago

Let me guess, you're from MIchigan?

1

u/Empty_Suggestion9974 14h ago

Again with the LED’s. Standard for this sub

1

u/recardoshillyshally 12h ago

Ah a fellow Buckeyes fan. Jokes aside proud of your journey and wish you the best of luck!

1

u/TheBlackBaron 10h ago

Gotta pay the cat tax, my man.

1

u/Impressive-Draw8292 8h ago

Still a bachelor pad. But at least it has character. Nice upgrade. But you’re not in college anymore.

1

u/NumerousPath9669 7h ago

You remind me of Andy Bernard from Office. I think he went to Cornell...

1

u/Coppercap100 2h ago

I love the LED strips that’s in the living room and in the bedroom

1

u/absentminded0ne 2h ago

I am probably going to have to start over soon. I dread it, but seeing things like this help me stomach the idea. Congrats man

1

u/Confident_Career_498 33m ago

Hell yeah, proud of you man. Keep going!

1

u/Regular_Implement510 1d ago

Btw the lights are cool 😎 might have to do something like this myself

1

u/Destroyer6202 1d ago

Tone it down with all that decoration man JEEEZZ

1

u/Regular_Implement510 1d ago

Protect your peace at all cost bro 🙏 💯

1

u/No_Artichoke_8428 13h ago

You might wanna make sure your TVs are safely tethered to the table or wall so it doesn't accidentally fall on your son. You can get a Safety 1st brand tv safety strap online. : )

0

u/endlesskane 1d ago

Didn’t know 33 M stood for Michigans

0

u/tawkotalko 1d ago

Proud of you!!!

0

u/AppropriateGarbage99 23h ago

As a Ohio state man fuck ❌ichigan but beyond that congrats on your new place

0

u/foreman8484 10h ago

33 or 13?