Posts by granitebear8

Joseph Bailey41 said:Actually, I think there's an even better one. The art of getting paid for singing without singing.
It's by the same author. ☕

Let me see... Ah, sarcasm. A classic move. Well, let me put it this way:
It wasn't my intention to come across as pretentious or to recommend something hollow. It’s perfectly natural if my suggestion causes a bit of friction; nothing is ever perfect. You're unhappy with it. Many others were quite satisfied. It seems you're aiming to make me feel insecure so you can knock me off a pedestal... but you've missed the mark entirely because I am—down here on level ground with everyone else.

p.s. Using sarcasm suggests you want me to correct myself and stop doing whatever it is you find "unacceptable." Though, frankly, I still have no idea what I've done that qualifies as unacceptable.

I’ve dealt with similar issues myself.

This particular section caused me to grimace:

Because of this problem, I’ve never had a girlfriend. Since girls seem attracted to those "tough guys," I feel like I’m just not masculine enough. I can vividly imagine a scenario where I’m walking through town with a girl and someone starts harassing her, and I—acting like a complete pushover—can't do anything because I don't know how to fight or even hold my own.

1. There are plenty of young men who deal with threats and physical fights who have girlfriends.
2. In fact, many 19-year-olds who face zero such problems still don't have a girlfriend.
3. You mentioned this is a "traumatic and horrible period." Just so you know, there are traumas out there so profound they strip people of all confidence in romantic relationships... or even their desire for them entirely. There are much worse traumas than what you are experiencing.

Now, regarding how to resolve this:

There is one book: The art of Fighting without Fighting ( Thompson . When I read the beginning, I lost any desire to ever prove myself by fighting aggressors. Geoff Thompson used to be an incredibly intense fighter. When he argues against getting into brawls, his perspective is truly compelling.

I believe a major factor is whether—and how much—one's family steps up to offer support when a critical moment arrives. Personally, I had some rather difficult experiences with my own family in that regard, which served as a wake-up call regarding the true nature of our dynamics.

Moving away from my hometown was a wise decision.

Recently, I ordered some pepper spray.

I haven't explored the legal route yet. Imagine if we lose a court case. Imagine if the evidence is tossed out and our tormentors win, gloating and laughing right in our faces. Even so, simply having contact with the law has a deterrent effect on at least some of these aggressors. Because of that, the legal option remains a viable path to consider.
What it requires is this: you document everything. Record evidence and keep a written log of everything that violates the law, breaches social norms, or simply triggers your internal alarm. The potential utility of such records is endless. If not in a courtroom, then perhaps on YouTube. If not today, then tomorrow or after you move. If not immediately, they might become vital, compromising material twenty years down the line. Perhaps the act of documenting could even evolve into a relaxing hobby, or even a career.

Vitality and the drive for action essentially boil down to libido
Speaking of being outdoors, make sure you're getting enough Vitamin D. Nearly a thousand genes can be effectively silenced if you're deficient. Many of these are involved in cellular repair and various essential bodily functions.

Thompson's book also includes descriptions of techniques for deterring aggressors. You can find it on Library Genesis.