Develop into your own beautiful human, first. A lot of dudes are mid at best; myself included

  • Also a guy, and I think that’s generally good advice. Especially “do not put substantial effort into pleasing men”. Amen.

    But I’d make it even more general: don’t waste time on people who make you fight to prove yourself worthy of basic respect and recognition. Not when young. Not when you’re “older and ready”. Bullshit is always bullshit.

    And on the flipside, if you somehow luck out and run into one of those gems who don’t make you fight for their acceptance, who just welcome you into their life as you are, build you up and are there for you, make every reasonable effort to keep them around, no matter their gender. Whether it’s platonic, romantic and/or sexual, relationships with good people should be grabbed onto, and maintained with as much effort as you can afford.