Reading, I read therefore I am

Avoid people. Intellectualize.

Read books. Write poetry. Study. Draw. Sing and play music.

I live alone lol but if I wasn't I wouldn't give up dogs, fish keeping, the way I dress, my beliefs, music, sculpture, art and saying what I mean. this is probably why I'm now alone.

Yup.. I am a camper too.. Love the outdoors so if I can't ride my Harley, hop in my car for a spin, get out on the lake, then I become a mopey bum. Love playing in the dirt with my flowers too. But something artistic and creative keeps me alive inside as well even tho I am not real good at it.

Need to laugh and play! Travel (foreign travel is probably over for me, but domestic travel, road trips, day trips, exploring) and nature are a must. Music, learning, movies, and reading.

Reading scientific research and pedaling my bike, in an urban area or out in nature, as much as I can.

I have to be active in issues of which I am passionate.
I have to have alone time.
I have to be able to express myself without acrimony.
Core identity is important but it must not be a trap.
Compromising is important but it must be of a benefit for others as well. (once my partner and I had a difference of opinion over some electrical work. I asked the electrician what was his opinion and he replied "happy wife happy life". There is some truth to that).
I have to spend time around others and feel my contributions are valuable.
I have to have outdoor time, kayaking, hiking, biking, outdoor projects, gardening and some camping.
I have to have mental, emotional and physical contact with another (woman).
I have to have a degree of security.

I gotta be me!

I don't really have a lot of must-have activities that make up my identity. Personality traits, though, are a different matter: sarcastic, sardonic, irreverent, thoughtful, reserved, cautious, responsible, curious.

My computer, studying and writing. Arts and craft projects, and decorating. (Even at campsites! I'm an enthusiastic "Glamper", and prefer natural materials.) Cooking.

I will always continue to learn. It's exciting, and there's so much there. Gardening--I miss having a plot of ground to my core. And quiet time to replenish. It can be alone or with a special someone, but I need a chance to reenergize. Volunteer--make crocheted caps for chemo patients or work with autistic kids. It's for me to give back, from my health to them. And staying in touch with my family. There's nobody before me, so my family means very much. That's all I need to be me.

I have to be a political junkie, have animals, have a tv, have food I like, and live in a house w/ a big yard.

Play and enjoy music, explore bits of the world alone, write, create. I thought about this question a little more and decided the truth is that I either need to have friends and family who know who I am and accept that or I need to be as far from people as I can get. I am pretty happy alone, but really unhappy around people who feel compelled to change me or who disagree with the principle things I feel are important.

I have to write, immerse myself in Science Fiction, think, and travel.

Laugh.

drink lots of beer then get on the dance floor !

Be specific before starting the relationship that these are non negotiable. I believe the first compromise will start there.

I have such a strong sense of self that it doesn't matte what I do, I am fine with it. Wait, maybe what I don't do is more like it. I don't do guilt. I do my best to not ever do anything I am going to feel guilty about. And that is easy enough.

Being mostly retired, (I do a little engineering consulting as like to keep my hand in), have settled into several things that keep getting repeated. Garden, both at home, and a plot in a community garden. Make music, wife and I play in a celtic band, and play with two other smaller groups. Pick a little banjo everyday. Love to travel, and will keep on as long as we are able. Volunteer. Reading. Camping out in the woods, or at the beach. Keep fit. Eat good food (mostly cooked at home from scratch. Spend time with friends, and family. Had two great grand kids show up last summer. And keep a sense of humor. Active in a humanist group. Keep learning.

I can't bear the thought of membership in religion or being with anyone right of the Democratic Party.

It's in my avatar.

It is a secret of mine that will evolve with time and knowledge. Willing to leave everything behind because nothing I can take with me except my memories.