r/FTMStraight • u/Parking_Analysis_741 • 1d ago
Discussion Is it time to just give up
I’ve been on T for over 7 years now, I’ve had top surgery (no scars) for 3 years, passed consistently since I was like 15, and been completely stealth in my adult life.
Never been in a relationship. Never held hands, kissed someone, had sex, etc…. I’m about to turn 24 and I’m wondering if this is just wraps for me. I’m not an unattractive person (I think) and I’m doing well for myself in life so far. I have hobbies and a life and I take care of my physical health. I have fulfilling friendships with people I love and care about.
The one piece of my life that is missing is romance and intimacy. I feel like growing up I was so caught up with trying to figure myself out and my own identity that I missed out on that formative time where you learn how to interact in relationships. I’ve watched my whole life as the people around me seem to get in and out of relationships. Now as I’ve grown older, I’m seeing my friends grow with their partners and foster relationships that are a completely foreign idea to me.
Now at this point in my life I feel completely inexperienced and inadequate. I don’t know how to function as a person who is “romantically eligible” as I’ve kind of spent my whole life trying not to step on anyone’s toes or offend or possibly disgust someone by my liking them. Never have I ever received any kind of romantic interest either. It’s kind of fucked up, but sometimes I wish I could even understand what it would be like to be objectified because at least I would be desired.
I just have no idea how to navigate this and at this point it feels like I’m too behind to catch up. This is something I’ve yearned for deeply my entire life but sometimes it feels like I just wasn’t meant to participate.