I'm Ed, I live in a village, and soon to live in a van full time. City life was never for me, and I find them quite tiring to visit - sensory overload.

I am an odd sort - quirky, on the spectrum, but harmless and playful. A lot of people have told me that I'm very funny. I strongly dislike small talk, and for me; humour is my form of small talk. I click with very few people, although I'm polite, helpful and a people pleaser to everyone.

Descriptions from friends and colleagues over the years have a similar pattern - I'm called chilled out, hilarious, very talented (staffing/art/writing/humour), a lovely guy, and one of the nicest people they've ever met. Not a bad set of reviews by all accounts. I do find socialising quite tiring though. I'm happy enough to spend the lion's share of my free time in my own company.

My main form of communication is via online instant messaging on FB Messenger, WhatsApp and Reddit. I also enjoy voice calls and recordings too.

In my free time I'm mostly on my computer, working on my van, watching comedies, collecting music which spans many genres, contact fire staffing, drawing, doing photography, yoga, cycling, eating too much comfort food (a fat man trapped in a skinny man's body). I also enjoy being out in nature and away from people. For me, going out is to get away from people. I'm a huge animal lover - every time I see an animal it fills me with energy, happiness and wonder. Once my van is done I will be getting a dog.

I'm not so good with popular culture, TV, and mainstream music. I've no interest in sports, foreign travel or modern trends. Never bothered with most social media - such as IG, SC and TikTok. I'm 3.5 years sober from alcohol but I 420 (tobacco free). I was never one for pubs, clubs or nightlife either. Loud and crowded environments make me anxious and drained. Similarly with festivals - they sound lovely, but they trigger too many things for me to ever be a viable place to go.

I'm looking for friends, but maybe more. Truth be told my people pleasing tendencies often go nuclear when in a relationship. And I want to pace myself in my future relationship, because it's quite exhausting when you put so much of your energy and self-worth into another person.

Many of my ex's said they wished they met me later in life. As in - someone to settle down with once they'd finished being social, travelling and living their lives. Wasn't sure whether to take it as a compliment or an insult. Mind you, I've had a lot worse said about me. Forever being branded a weirdo and having insecure people mock and bully me for being on the spectrum.

I don't do very well in group social situations. Yet another common pattern was ex's friends really liking me as a person, and my ex's being frustrated at my lack of desire or energy to partake in the usual social activities such as going for drinks, a meal, a party, meeting up with friends etc. I really do feel most comfortable in 1-to-1 conversations and anything more than that I'm often a very quiet observer.

Anyway, I figured I'd see what's out there. Happy to speak with people from anywhere and everywhere.

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Ed