I was raised by a single mother and yes she had her flaws but I respect her so much because although we had our ups and downs (mostly downs) but I understand because she went through a lot and she worked doubles and she was really tired as she tried to raise me and my brother. While growing up I was the shy kid (because we had to move a lot) so I never really made friends or tried any hobbies. At the same time I tried to help my mom with anything and helped her with my brother. however while growing up I felt like I was more feminine than masculine yes I have male and female friends even at work I talk to both however my best friend is a girl (we have been friends since freshman year of high school). but I never felt masculine and I want to feel masculine. some people I work with and that I’m friends with joke around and call me gay because up to this day (I’m 20) I have never asked out a girl nor dated one. The main reason for that is because i lack confidence and don’t see myself as good enough. However for the last two years since I was 18 I’ve been teaching myself life skills and hobbies such as changing changing my tires and car oils, trying to get better at cooking, going to the gym, boxing (ngl I have been inconsistent but I enjoy boxing), talking to more people at college and at work (coworkers and customers), teaching myself Arabic (that’s my native language or my parents native langue) etc. honestly being at dunkin (that’s where I work at) changed me a bit. now I feel less sensitive , less shy, more talkative, learning how to say no, how to not handle disrespect from coworkers or anyone. I’m ngl i know I have a lot of work to do to grow as a man and a person. I’m trying to stop my bad habits such as vaping, watching porn, wasting my day when I have shit to do, eating constant fast food. what advice do you guys have for me as to how to grow up as a person and as a man? submitted by /u/freedom-seek
Originally posted by u/freedom-seek on r/AskMen