u/one-two-nini

I first noticed pain in my rectal area in late April. No visible lump but I felt somewhat of a knot beneath the skin.

A few weeks later it had become painless and looked like a pea-sized pimple that had broken the skin. Within a few more weeks, it started to drain pus. It has stayed in this state for about a month: painless, resembling a whitehead pimple, not growing or shrinking, and occasionally draining pus.

Had it checked at urgent care and it was diagnosed as a rectal cyst. I was prescribed antibiotic pills and an antibiotic ointment, but I'm finishing the course now and still nothing has changed.

Does this sound consistent with any of your experiences? Does it sound likely to be an abscess, one that could develop into a fistula? Or something else?

For a while I was under the delusion of reconciliation - not that it’s inherently delusional, but in my case I’ve come to realize it is.

At least as things are now. I’ve learned that the issues my ex has are way more deeply rooted than I realized. And I had tried to imagine how we could overcome certain incompatibilities, but I think I was being too wishful.

I always intended to move forward with my life, not quite to wait for them… but now I realize I have to completely let go of the hope he’d still comeback at some point along the way. And truthfully, I had not-so-secretly hoped it’d be sooner rather than later.

I’m coming to terms with the idea that it may have just been a little chapter of my life, and that chapter is now over. It would’ve been nice if things had worked out between us. But I’m sure I can go on to live a nice life and love other people in ways I can’t even imagine yet.

And, so can you. ♡

Question(s) for men who go out (or men who ask for social media handles in public in general).

When you ask for a girl's Instagram, how often does she give it to you? How often does she follow back? How often does anything come of it, versus just staying mutuals without interacting beyond that point?

Thanks!

How often do you exchange Instagrams at the club/bar, etc., when you're out? And how often does that lead to any talking/dating afterwards?

For girls or people who get asked for their IG, do you only agree to give it if you're interested? What about following back, is that something you only do if you're interested, or are you generally just down to make new mutuals?

I'm pretty new to dating and have been on first dates with five people so far. Of the five, two have gone on to second dates as I haven't been interested enough with the others :/ And only one went beyond two dates (lasted like 5 months).

I've had hundreds of matches, dozens of conversations, and honestly very very few have been interesting conversations at all. Not to mention that I've felt uncertain about my attraction level to some of them. I'm curious how many dates y'all tend to go on in a week or month, say. My first date was years ago and the rest were in the past 6 months, so you can get a sense of my first-date-frequency.

I guess I'm asking a few things: How many dates are you all going on? Are you genuinely interested in/attracted to everyone you go on a first date with (before the date, at least)? If not, how do you decide to go and make yourself do it?

I've only accepted to go out with guys I at least felt genuinely open to/hopeful about (the one who lasted the longest, I was actually excited about, and I only felt that 1 or 2 other times but they never panned out to first dates).

It just feels kind of bleak and makes me wonder if my radar is off. This many matches and conversations for 5 first dates and only one real connection that didn't even become a relationship seems like horrible odds. Is it possible I'm too picky? Or is this normal?