Empty neighborhood bar at early evening with stools pushed in and warm lighting, symbolizing the loss of third spaces for men and the rise of male loneliness, social isolation, and the decline of side-by-side male social connection.

Why Men Are Lonely: The Quiet Cost of Losing Third Spaces

Notes From The Climb

December 29, 2025

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third spaces for men male loneliness crisis men's social isolation male friendship decline community spaces men men's mental health midlife social connection men public spaces disappeared male social connection men need third spaces why men lonely rebuilding community men side-by-side connection shoulder-to-shoulder bonding transactional public spaces

Paul Linehan

Paul Linehan is a midlife comeback story in progress. After decades of anger, false starts, and one rock-bottom night that forced him to face himself, he now writes for men who feel behind but aren’t done. His mantra is simple: don’t put your pen down.