New Stay At Home Dad

I’m new to the group and was just looking for some like minded people. So, I’m 26 and a SAHD to my daughter (11 months). I just needed to vent and see if this is a totally normal situation that I find myself in.

For a little backstory, my wife is a Nurse Practitioner and I’m an Army Veteran I’ve worked a job since I was 14 and I’m very proud of my wife who makes substantially more money than me. However, we moved back to the East Coast (USA) from Texas where I left my job to use my GI Bill and go to school so that we would still have partial income and wouldn’t have to hire a babysitter or daycare.

I love spending time with daughter and I understand I’m truly grateful for the opportunity since it’s something I didn’t grow up with. But what I’m struggling with is a sense of self. I feel like I lost who I am. Sports and hobby’s that I used to do aren’t really available where I am currently especially in winter. I feel like 50 percent of my life is taking care of my daughter and then 49 percent is taken up is spent with my wife. when my wife’s not working I feel the need to do things with her since she’s working and obviously wants to do things together. The best way I can explain it is like how I explained it to my wife: “I don’t feel like an active participant in my life.” Like things just happen and I have to go along with them.

However I just feel lost and need some advice.