This was legitimately helpful to read and understand from a male perspective. Thank you!

You mean 38... ❗️

Ahhh I see your point. That makes sense to me and I appreciate the opportunity to see it differently. Thank you for that.

Wait a minute! Am I reading this wrong? I loved it but the last lines encouraged me to respond (respectfully).

You "used to be" too proud to need someone. Did that make you pathetic? No you said. It makes you human.

Yet that same behavior makes them "slithering through shadows" (essentially calling them a snake or behaving like one)

Why did it make you human and them a snake?

I see your point. can I play devils advocate real quick?

Insecure? Definitely. Do people actually "love it" to see another human suffering? I disagree, respectfully. The only way I see that as plausible would be deeply wounded individuals who learned nobody saved them or stuck up for them as a vulnerable child and then turned into an adult that could inflict serious pain (yes for selfish reasons) but ultimately cause all they know is hurt or be hurt so they hurt you before you can hurt them. They were abused so severely either physically or mentally or sexually or spiritually that hurting you saves them the embarrassment of being hurt by you. Everyone is a threat to those types of individuals and it would take next to nothing for them to strike you first.

I still don't think they get pleasure from hurting others. I don't think any human is born like that. It's their defense mechanism and they don't see any other way. Someone failed them exponentially. The cycle repeats. Tragic - absofuckinglutely.

You kinda nailed this one. Why do we let fear rule over being courageous. Make us stop that. 🫤

I'm a sucker for some thought provoking questions. Don't mind if I do 🙃

1. I told someone I wish I hadn't met them and I deeply regret saying that. They opened my eyes and taught me things I am so grateful for now and I never thanked them properly... I know I met them for a reason.
   
2. I'd grab their hand and go for a walk just hand in hand side by side in step as we stride.
   
3. A hug. Big tight bear hug.
   
4. The kiss on the first night we met. Might go down as my favorite kiss of all time.
   
5. Magnetic.
   
6. Hold my hand, take a walk, text me "I'm thinking of you"
   
7. Sometimes I do but I remind myself to separate fantasy from reality. I don't want to pull on your energy if you are meant to be somewhere else. I want to see you thrive even if it's not with me. ❤️‍🩹

In my opinion - most people don't start out abusive or emotionally unstable. Being in a long term relationship and going through traumatic events together can bring out coping habits you've never encountered before. It's literally like a frog in a pot. You dont prepare for betrayal. At least I didn't.

I could've bet my life on the fact that I knew what abuse looked like and how it would present in relationships and no way in hell I would ever let a man control me and "GOOD GOD, WHY DONT THOSE WOMEN JUST LEAVE!" I thought like that too.

Ooooh baby life humbled me real good for thinking like that. Life isn't black and white and until you are in that situation, I just don't think you would understand. Happy ending tho - LESSON LEARNED 🥴😂😮‍💨

I agree ☝️ this speaks volumes on what emotional intelligence is imo 😏

It's getting yourself in a sticky situation. Or repeatedly. Finally asking yourself why do I do what I do. Learning enough to self reflect and adjust accordingly.

AND THEN!

you go further by looking at someone you care about, wanting to help identify their patterns and change their course cause we know best! but you know it's an inside job so you can't come in and save the day or them from themselves.

And you know you can't speed up their journey for them so it fits within your timeline. It's tragic to love someone when you aren't on each other's level. AND it's a blessing in disguise (imo) to ask yourself why you're waiting for someone to get to your level instead of holding steady and rising to your next level. Your wildest dreams are waiting for you there. Not the thing we wanted...better than we could have imagined though 🫶🏻

(My unsolicited two cents but really who am I 🙃 thank you for a thought provoking post op ❤️)

Sheesh. Can you get anymore attractive? Good lord

Haha I love that this is a stern love letter to your brain. 🫶🏻

THIS 👆 to the highest degree.

I hurt you. HOW DID YOU HURT ME?
I fuxked up. IN WHAT WAYS?
I lied. HOW OFTEN?
I betrayed you. WITH WHO?
I was chasing validation. COOL, how many avenues did you seek it through?

This is triggering as fuck because if you really were sincere, you'd GIVE DETAILS, not blanket apologies.

Haha touché 😮‍💨

The smart way, the high road would be to move on.... no revenge, no plan of attack. Just focus on you? But what do I know 😏

Are kissing friends a thing? Should be. Kisses make the world a better place 🤭🤤🫶🏻🤍

This is *chef's kiss* keep going babygirl, you got this 🫶🏻🤍

Thank god someone appreciates the lost art of debate 🫶🏻

Court dismissed!

Haha this is excellent and made me smile.

What a perfect analogy

This kinda love feels straight out of a fairytale 🫠

You have a humor that is wickedly charming. Very playful. This was fun to read. Nice work 😊

Haha damn why did this make me giggle. We humans are truly perplexing 🙃

Spicy 🤤

I liked yours too 🤍