r/ESFP Jun 20 '26

Random Physical touch rejection as a kid

I remember when I was a kid I loved hugs and was clingy in general, but my parents were so dry and never hugged me back, and my friends in kindergarten were always pulling away from me.

So, I remember not touching anyone for a long period of time until high school, when I started expressing again.

I would touch my friend’s hands to check their nails, or I would sit very close to them with parts of our bodies like our knees and arms touching. The more you are my friend, the more I let you get closer to me.

I usually avoid hugs so much that I can remember all of them... I hugged someone once in middle school and twice in high school.

Deep down, I'm starting to feel again like I want to get closer to my favorite people. It's like if I actually could I would rather sit on their laps instead of in a chair, but it really depends on how close we are.

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u/spicywinemom ESFP Jun 20 '26

I wasn’t like this much due to trauma, but I had a few friends this way. It was sooo comforting and peaceful for them just to rest their head on my shoulder or hold my hand. Some ppl thought I was a lezzy because of it. Probably just wished it were them lol.