Girl's Behavior 
Guy's Behavior 
Flirting 
Dating 
Relationships 
Fashion & Beauty 
Health & Fitness 
Marriage & Weddings 
Shopping & Gifts 
Technology & Internet 
Break Up & Divorce 
Education & Career 
Entertainment & Arts 
Family & Friends 
Food & Beverage 
Hobbies & Leisure 
Other 
Religion & Spirituality 
Society & Politics 
Sports 
Travel 
Trending & News 
This will be a VERY long question, so please read it only if you have the patience. If not, please don't post answers complaining about the question's length.
So, it goes like this. I'm a 27 year old straight male who was involved in a few relationships earlier, but no romantic contact with women at all since 4 years. I was in bad relationships, and I completely gave up on women.
I tried a lot to get back into the dating scene, but I couldn't. I even sought therapy, but it didn't help. Now it has been firmly embedded in my mind that it is a big hassle to create and maintain romantic relationships with women.
Today I watched this movie 'Her', and I was scared at how similar my life was to the movie's protagonist. I mean...its not like I'm trying to date some AI. But I'm a software developer, tech lover and gamer. My love for technology has grown so much that I find ultimate happiness in it, and I don't feel the need for a woman in my life. I have developed a strong belief that today's technology is advanced enough to compensate for human emotions. I have no problems at all being friends with women. I do have lots of females friends with whom I'm close, and hang out often. But I just can't seem to go further.
I'm reasonably good looking, and I'm also an engineering graduate with a steady job. Still, there are certain aspects about me which deviate from the social norm. I'm a strict vegetarian, teetotaler, non-smoker, virgin and an atheist (I have valid reasons for being like this). This doesn't mean I'm incapable of emotions. In fact, I'm a really emotional person who even sheds a tear or two while watching emotional movies. And I would never expect a potential partner to have any of these attributes which I have.
Still, I'm sure that no woman would accept me due to my lifestyle. This thought has become counter-productive. Constantly believing that no one would accept me, has actually made me lose interest in women. It has reached a point where even if a woman shows some signs of being interested in me, I brush it aside feeling that she may just be playing with me and I'll end up hurt anyway.
I've tried talking to my mom (who is very close to me) and my friends, seeking professional help etc., but nothing seems to work. Also, it would be impossible for to change my lifestyle (like eating meat, smoking, drinking, becoming religious or having casual sex) because I firmly believe that I'm not wrong as long as I don't expect my partner to have the same values.
So is there any hope for me, or am I doomed?
P.S. Kindly refrain from making rude or insulting remarks about my lifestyle. Like I mentioned, I have valid reason for it and I'm not imposing it others or expecting them to follow it.
So, it goes like this. I'm a 27 year old straight male who was involved in a few relationships earlier, but no romantic contact with women at all since 4 years. I was in bad relationships, and I completely gave up on women.
I tried a lot to get back into the dating scene, but I couldn't. I even sought therapy, but it didn't help. Now it has been firmly embedded in my mind that it is a big hassle to create and maintain romantic relationships with women.
Today I watched this movie 'Her', and I was scared at how similar my life was to the movie's protagonist. I mean...its not like I'm trying to date some AI. But I'm a software developer, tech lover and gamer. My love for technology has grown so much that I find ultimate happiness in it, and I don't feel the need for a woman in my life. I have developed a strong belief that today's technology is advanced enough to compensate for human emotions. I have no problems at all being friends with women. I do have lots of females friends with whom I'm close, and hang out often. But I just can't seem to go further.
I'm reasonably good looking, and I'm also an engineering graduate with a steady job. Still, there are certain aspects about me which deviate from the social norm. I'm a strict vegetarian, teetotaler, non-smoker, virgin and an atheist (I have valid reasons for being like this). This doesn't mean I'm incapable of emotions. In fact, I'm a really emotional person who even sheds a tear or two while watching emotional movies. And I would never expect a potential partner to have any of these attributes which I have.
Still, I'm sure that no woman would accept me due to my lifestyle. This thought has become counter-productive. Constantly believing that no one would accept me, has actually made me lose interest in women. It has reached a point where even if a woman shows some signs of being interested in me, I brush it aside feeling that she may just be playing with me and I'll end up hurt anyway.
I've tried talking to my mom (who is very close to me) and my friends, seeking professional help etc., but nothing seems to work. Also, it would be impossible for to change my lifestyle (like eating meat, smoking, drinking, becoming religious or having casual sex) because I firmly believe that I'm not wrong as long as I don't expect my partner to have the same values.
So is there any hope for me, or am I doomed?
P.S. Kindly refrain from making rude or insulting remarks about my lifestyle. Like I mentioned, I have valid reason for it and I'm not imposing it others or expecting them to follow it.
Most Helpful Opinions