Men’s Mental Health

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I’m admittedly new to running a community anywhere online, but saw a need so I’m trying to fill it and help where I can. I’ve had plenty of my own issues over the years and am hoping for a safe space where men can discuss their own brands of issues. For now we’re gonna run by the Bartender Rule & few other rules stolen shamelessly from [email protected] :

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Realizing my own creeper vibes turned to perpetual avoidance from dating (self.mensmentalhealth)

submitted 2 years ago by ReginaPhalange to c/mensmentalhealth

10 comments fedilink hide all child comments

At age 16, against my normal nature , I've asked out my then crush who was my schoolmate.

(In retrospect, it was only sexual attraction, cause her personality was abysmal..)

I say "ask out" but it was one of the childish "wanna be my gf" sort of thing. I didn't have (nor do I have now) "game".
My only valid pretense for hanging with her , and not actually planning a date, was studying together for tests.

Neverthelesss, the excitement and the rush after she showed interest in me was overwhelming , and I spiraled out of control.
I became clingy , needed and over the top in love.

It all came crashing down when I saw her avoiding me while looking afraid and creeped out.
That face is burned into my retina, and all I can think about when I even think about stepping into that arena again.

I'm 31 now, still painfully alone - but with the added bonus of feeling like expired milk and overrun with anxiety and depression.

I'm telling myself again and again that I'm doing the best with the cards I've been dealt with , and partnership or intimacy is just not one of those cards.
I try to keep busy and focus on work - because one moment of boredom sends me to a variety of really dark places.

I know that some day the pattern of eat-sleep-job-repeat won't be enough, but I'm repressing that thought like hell right now.

Thank you guys for creating this sub BTW, much needed.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

You really need to seek help from a professional on this. You're not doomed to keep living this way. You aren't spoiled milk.

Men tend to come into their own in their 30s. We start to hit our stride in our careers. We start to be more socially mature.

A woman's sexual value is at its peak when they are young adults. It's when they are the most fertile, and when they are most attractive to the average man. Men are attractive on a different set of metrics. Physical attractiveness matters, but maturity, financial success, and social acumen are something we are uniquely judged on. The latter three attributes we understandably are lacking in during early adulthood.

You're in the prime of your life. Hit the gym, get some nice clothes, learn how to cook a few decent meals, and hit the dating scene. The only thing standing in your way is the trauma of past failure, and your fear of future mistakes.