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Am I self-improving or self-sabotaging? (1000-word post)

AnonymousMe

Well-Known Member
Hey everyone, my thoughts of how I see myself are a bit of a mess right now and I want to share with you all a brief summary of who and how I am and what I plan to become so you all tell me if I’m self-improving or self-sabotaging. I don’t get offended easily, so don’t be afraid of being brutally honest with me, as long as it’s constructive criticism of course. So, here’s what happened.

I’m a 33-year-old dude, 5’ 11’’, nearly 210 pounds with 26% body fat and diagnosed with level 1 autism. I spend almost all of my days inside my parent’s house, doing indoor activities like doing all sorts of stuff on my laptop, watching old cartoons (mainly pre-2015), playing single-player video games, listening to all types of metal music and weightlifting, although this is currently paused because I’m trying to get a treadmill; I can only go down to 170 lbs. through weightlifting alone. I don’t like watching or doing anything that’s mainstream, so I don’t have social media, no streaming services and I don’t give a crap about celebrities and politics. I don’t have any offline friends, but I’m fine with that because I’m awful at socializing (I’m always serious and rarely smile, so I tend to be avoided). I’m afraid in participating physical activities too out of fear of embarrassment. I also tend to avoid family gatherings and not much of a party guy either, especially because I cannot drink or smoke (kidney transplant).

I can’t stand being a single virgin and I am trying to self-improve to hopefully catch someone’s attention, like doing exercise and everything I’ll mention after this paragraph. I tried a dating app for chubby people, but was mostly ignored by the ladies. Although I didn’t like the idea at all, I also tried another dating app for chubby gay guys, despite the fact that I don’t like guys much. I figured that I might as well start with someone that’s the same as me. There is an older guy that lives near me that’s willing to give me a chance and although I don’t find him attractive at all (he’s way fatter than me), I figured that my dating life has to start somewhere. If he’s what I can get, then I guess I can take it.

I wasted my 20s doing absolutely nothing, but re-entered university in late-2018 and recently finished all of my classes. I haven’t graduated and obtained my bachelor’s degree in graphic design though. For that, I need to pass a final exam that’s called the “General Exam for Graduation of the Degree,” which I don’t think I’m going to pass. If I fail, I’ll have to wait until May 2024 to sign up for a specialist course that’ll take 12 months to complete. So, if I get lucky, I’ll get my degree in 2025, which sucks because my parents had to pay more than what they needed for me to still probably get that goddamn piece of paper. However, I don’t want to work on what I studied. I can draw better than most people, but when compared to what even my former classmates did, my stuff is just sad. Undoubtedly not professional-level and I fear of embarrassing anyone that hires me. So, whether I fail the test or not, it doesn’t matter. Pretty much, the only reason I want the degree is to increase my chances of landing in any job with lots of free time and to decrease my chances of getting fired.

Yeah, I’m someone that values free time more than money. I’d be OK working on a half-time job that’s enough to pay the bills for a single guy living in a tiny, tiny apartment. I am not someone with many needs. I’m a picky eater, so I tend to eat mostly the same stuff every day. I also try to save money and resources like water, gas, etc. I do use a lot of electricity though. Speaking of gas, I have a Smart Fortwo 2008, but don’t drive it because I don’t have a driver’s license. I think I am getting close to getting it though. I say “I think” because I need some help from my dad and I’m just waiting for him.

I have dreams and goals. There’s some that I’m pursuing more than others, but overall, they are nothing spectacular. They’re just everyday things that normal people obtain casually and that take for granted. The biggest one I have is to get a girlfriend, at least one before I die. I’m polyamorous too, but that’s one that I have very little hope for, especially when it’s hard for me to even befriend acquaintances. Just so you all know, I always jokingly say that I have more chances at seeing a ghost on Friday the 13th under a blue moon while all the planets are aligned, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t try. :P Anyway, another one I have is to become more independent. Even if I end up doing the bare minimum where I can pay for my needs in exchange for my wants, I’d be OK with it. I don’t think I’m good enough to reach a middle-class citizen anyway, if I did, that would blow my mind. My more extraordinary dreams are not worth mentioning, but some of them include being more in shape, writing a novel, have a video game collection and buy a TPE sex doll, in case I never find someone.

That’s all I can think of for the moment. So how would you all describe me? Am I being real or delusional? Am I aware of my limits or am I devaluating myself? Am I being (sufficiently) ambitious or lazy? Am I smart or dumb? Am I settling for less/mediocrity or am I a minimalist? Is all of this making me attractive or ugly? Likable or unlikable? Just tell me. Feel free to ask questions though.
 
You're lonely, you currently have no friends, avoid social gatherings and popular culture and consider yourself bad at socializing. Where is this partner going to come from? How are you going to get along with them? Do you have the will to commit to another person in your life or do you have your plate full dealing with yourself? Have you thought about what it means to desire the general idea of a partner rather than wanting to be with a specific person you already know? What do you actually want from a relationship?

You live similarly to myself but I still wouldn't be able to answer any of your questions. I do think that the fact you're asking them means you are awaiting a specific answer already, something you maybe haven't consciously expressed to yourself.
 
So how would you all describe me?
Human. Trying to figure things out, just like the rest of us. Confused, but introspective and looking toward the future.



I would advise against using someone specifically for a first attempt at a relationship. If you don’t like guys, I wouldn’t recommend trying to date a guy. If you do like guys, absolutely fine, but that does not sound like what you want. Perhaps you could consider being friends with another guy. Friendship is important. Friendship will ultimately be important in a relationship, too.
 
my thoughts are, if you are thinking of dating someone that you will be forcing yourself to settle for (you said you aren't into guys) then it is going to create stress. You might feel like you have to somehow convince him that you are interested, and come on too strong, or become upset if he notices this about you.

This might not happen, but they are both very likely outcomes.

I understanding being very lonely and yearning for personal contact and intimacy (whether it be physical or not).

I don't have advice, these are just my thoughts.
 
You're lonely, you currently have no friends, avoid social gatherings and popular culture and consider yourself bad at socializing. Where is this partner going to come from? How are you going to get along with them? Do you have the will to commit to another person in your life or do you have your plate full dealing with yourself? Have you thought about what it means to desire the general idea of a partner rather than wanting to be with a specific person you already know? What do you actually want from a relationship?

You live similarly to myself but I still wouldn't be able to answer any of your questions. I do think that the fact you're asking them means you are awaiting a specific answer already, something you maybe haven't consciously expressed to yourself.
"Where is this partner going to come from?" No idea. I'm just trying to better my social status in hopes of being more accepted, even if it means becoming an average Joe. I just wanted to know if I'm doing good enough to reach a dream/goal or two. By the way, I've thought most of the questions you asked and I am willing to be open to new experiences if I'm accompanied. Plus, I don't want to be on my deathbed thinking that I missed out on one of the most common things anyone lives through.

my thoughts are, if you are thinking of dating someone that you will be forcing yourself to settle for (you said you aren't into guys) then it is going to create stress. You might feel like you have to somehow convince him that you are interested, and come on too strong, or become upset if he notices this about you.

This might not happen, but they are both very likely outcomes.

I understanding being very lonely and yearning for personal contact and intimacy (whether it be physical or not).

I don't have advice, these are just my thoughts.
And I appreciate them.
 
I think you won't have to worry about any of this when you're actually on your deathbed. If you feel like you're improving you probably are, it's possible that being shape is inherently tied to how comfortable you are around others and all that too. I would just be really careful about putting this weight on wanting a girlfriend over wanting to know people. They are very different desires and the former doesn't know what to do to resolve itself at all. It's kind of built to loop you in circles. If you want to feel like you are at least moving in a direction, focus on what you can solve.
 

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