That's where I was at not so long ago until I realized that if you have no starting data, just copy over some data from your peers :)
Look at how others behave socially and start with those bits, it's not going to be easy but it is something to use until you have enough to bootstrap your own thing.
And remember even if it is weird, play along, things get better as you go. Keep making conversation (and always smile), it's better to be the awkward guy trying rather than the weird/silent/alone guy in the corner of the room :)
same here, when my wife and I emigrated, I had to leave some stuff behind. it was all boxed up waiting for us back home.
the thing is, returning to it after a few months or so, all the stuff I couldn't leave behind turned into stuff I don't want to take with me anymore :)
living a minimal life is appealing, but taking this to the extreme doesn't work for me.
I was thinking about a 6 months rule :) Put your stuff in boxes (like you'd do when moving away) and just take out the stuff you need each day. You'll see after 6 months what you really need vs what you think you need - following through and throwing that out (or giving it away like we did), well that takes courage :)
Going slow on http://www.migrainevibe.com (a migraine journal) on weekends mostly.
I've been on HN a while now (just reading, no comments), and I have to say that it really is worth going after your dreams one line of code at a time.
Thanks for the thread, I would never have the guts do a "Show HN" post with my project.
And remember even if it is weird, play along, things get better as you go. Keep making conversation (and always smile), it's better to be the awkward guy trying rather than the weird/silent/alone guy in the corner of the room :)