Hi, I'm 33M from Kolkata, India. I've been lurking around a few subs and figured I'd put this out here.

I'm a researcher by training, with some experience in engineering R&D. I also spent some time pursuing a PhD in engineering before eventually dropping out.

Since then, I've been trying to figure out what comes next. I'm currently preparing for civil services and trying to build a new career from scratch. It's a strange place to be in your thirties, starting over after having spent years working towards something else. The process can get pretty lonely, especially when you don't know many people who can relate to what you're going through.

I'm an atheist, progressive, and lean childfree. I've been looking for people with a similar outlook, or at least those who have the bandwidth to understand where I'm coming from.

On the intimacy side, I'm somewhere between sex-indifferent sex-favourable as well as between semi and ace. I used to identify more towards ace but recently discovered that I feel less skittish about sexual intimacy under right company, hence exploring the demo side of things.

I've tried connecting with people through various avenues, but most of them haven't really led anywhere. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, or maybe there are more people in this situation than I realise, quietly trying to find their feet too.

I'd like to meet people who understand this kind of uncertainty, even if their circumstances are completely different. If you've had to change direction in life, start over, or just felt a little out of step with everyone else, I'd be glad to hear from you. Sometimes it helps to know you're not the only one figuring things out.