they really don't make screens like they used to

indeed!

anyway, it's been real nice to have this conversation with you! you seem to be a nice fellow: i don't open bluesky much, but i hope to come across you more when i do!

be well!

"what matters is not the status of a relationship that matters"

sometimes my brain can fart. i hope the message still comes across

prioritizing the bond has also allowed me to make better choices: why would i pursue a loved one sexually in a way that hurts them? why desperately beg for sexual gratification, only to get next to none of it, and damage the bond?

i'm glad i don't concern myself too much with such objectives

i've come to learn that what matters is not the status of a relationship that matters, but the bond in its purest form. this mindset has allowed me to maintain stable friendships even with people with whom i may have romantic feelings, expressed or not.

yeah, those people suck. there's something predatory about this behavior: eyeing someone in wait for """favorable""" circumstances (and they may even treat as favorable something that means nothing about their odds at romance or sex)

glad to see you do!

and yeah, guys can be like that. i used to be worse about it myself, but once i put the pursuit of romantic status and sex in the back burner, i've been feeling a lot better in my own shell and in expressing my love for people. i think more people could use such a wake-up call.

yeah, not all combinations of people mix and match that well, and some people are just flat out not very nice to have around. at the same time, people can be really wonderful.

i hope you can surround yourself with people you can feel happy and safe around, and who respect and appreciate you!

totally understandable: some people will put sex way too high in their priority lists, and act like this

i wish upon you genuine friends who respect you and appreciate you for more than your body: i'm sure there's a lot of wonders of yours for these more genuine folks to get to know and discover!

where have boundaries gone to

the nerve of some people

i'm glad you are! and of course!

thanks for clarifying, i'd have taken serious offense otherwise. glad to know you do not wish to offend! this has completely nullified any negative sentiment felt over your comments!

i may be just a friend's friend, but if you're feeling unwell, i am available

back in my day, if i was going to be told i was going to die of common cold symptoms, i was told after i used a search engine with *my* efforts!

it may be a wise choice to pin this post