u/whoreader

Hey guys, looking for some insights from the introverted/shy men here. (Sorry it's a bit long, but I haven't navigated the shy guy dating pool)

I met a guy at our local gYm event yesterday. We have seen each other a couple of times earlier when our gYm times were the same; he never talks to anyone or me. I have always found him damn cute. Even if I walk past him, he will never even look at me. We happened to go to the same church, so one time accidentally saw him and exchanged names months ago. Two days before the event, I happened to see him months later when I had to show up at the gYm for a dance practice and even then he wouldn't look at me, or whenever we were dancing he kept looking down or up. Just before leaving, when we were away alone for a few sec, we exchanged smiles.

Fast forward to yesterday: since it was a cultural event and I was surprised to see him, I greeted him with a handshake and spoke to him, and post-lunch most of them left, so I assumed he left too. But later there was a DJ dance floor happening, and when I was dancing, I saw him standing afar and just looking over here and there all alone. Literally like this 🧍🏽‍♂️🧍🏽‍♂️🧍🏽‍♂️

I gave him plenty of green lights—I caught his eye and smiled across the dance floor asking him to come over, but he politely smiled and said no. A few minutes later, I didn't see him, so I assumed he took leave, BUT man's standing closer to the floor, and is still alone. So whenever I took breaks, I walked up to talk to him a few times and tapped his shoulder to pull him onto the dance floor. Towards the end of the event, when things were winding down, I spent the last 30 minutes standing and chatting with just him 1-on-1 while music was going on. I was bopping to the music, so he asked me if I was enjoying it and mentioned he doesn't wanna go to the floor cause he's an introvert/shy. Then in b/w continues to ask me what my current gYm times are, if I go to the gYm daily, and all that. I realised there's no way we can have the same timings cause he works till late and hits to workout then; meanwhile, I go early. We even stay close by; his building is a 5 min walk from me.

At some point, he walked up to me when I was standing alone to ask what my name was again, asked for my Instagram ID, and complimented my outfit (didn't see that coming). He was not from my community, but stayed till the end until the music almost died down, and while leaving said bye, nice to meet you and shook my hands?? 😭

Later that night, after I started following him, he liked an old reel I had posted on my fyd about some couple from a movie. As another green light, I liked one of his stories. He hasn't DMed me so I am wondering if I should send a short text. I also don't wanna be a creep, desperate mistaking if he was just being friendly or something beyond.

I know some threads on here say that with shy guys, women have to take 100% of the lead and spell it out, or the guy's anxiety will make him assume she's "just being nice." But I feel like I did a ton of heavy lifting in person and gave clear signals.

To the shy/introverted guys: Did I do enough to make my interest obvious, or is he playing it safe, waiting for a story hook, or just being friendly?

Should I text him first, or give him space to step up? Would love to hear honest perspectives!

Hey guys, looking for some insights from the introverted/shy men here. (Sorry it's a bit long, but I haven't navigated the shy guy dating pool)

I met a guy at our local gym event yesterday. We have seen each other a couple of times earlier when our gym times were the same; he never talks to anyone or me. I have always found him damn cute. Even if I walk past him, he will never even look at me. We happened to go to the same church, so one time accidentally saw him and exchanged names months ago. Fast forward to yesterday: since it was a cultural event and I was surprised to see him, I greeted him with a handshake and spoke to him, and post-lunch most of them left, so I assumed he left too. But later there was a DJ dance floor happening, and when I was dancing, I saw him standing afar and just looking over here and there all alone. Literally like this 🧍🏽‍♂️🧍🏽‍♂️🧍🏽‍♂️

I gave him plenty of green lights—I caught his eye and smiled across the dance floor asking him to come over, but he politely said no. A few minutes later, I didn't see him, so I assumed he took leave, BUT man's standing closer to the floor, and is still alone. So whenever I took breaks, I walked up to talk to him a few times and tapped his shoulder to pull him onto the dance floor. Towards the end of the event, when things were winding down, I spent the last 30 minutes standing and chatting with just him 1-on-1 while music was going on. I was bopping to the music, so he asked me if I was enjoying it and mentioned he doesn't do wanna go to the floor cause he's an introvert/shy. Then in b/w continues to ask me what my current gym times are, if I go to the gym daily, and all that. I realised there's no way we can have the same timings cause he works till late and hits the gym then; meanwhile, I go early. We even stay close by; his building is a 5 min walk from me.

At some point, he walked up to me when I was standing alone to ask what my name was again, asked for my Instagram ID, and complimented my outfit (didn't see that coming). He was not from my community, but stayed till the end until the music almost died down, and while leaving said bye, nice to meet you and shook my hands?? 😭

Later that night, after I started following him, he liked an old reel I had posted on my fyd about some couple from a movie. As another green light, I liked one of his stories. He hasn't DMed me so I am wondering if I should send a short text. I also don't wanna be a creep, desperate mistaking if he was just being friendly or something beyond.

I know some threads on here say that with shy guys, women have to take 100% of the lead and spell it out, or the guy's anxiety will make him assume she's "just being nice." But I feel like I did a ton of heavy lifting in person and gave clear signals.

To the shy/introverted guys: Did I do enough to make my interest obvious, or is he playing it safe, waiting for a story hook, or just being friendly?

Should I text him first, or give him space to step up? Would love to hear honest perspectives!

EDIT: Didn't expect this to blow up and receive so much advice from the men (and women here)! Thanks a lot; we did start a convo last night, hoping to see how it turns out! 😄

Hi everyone. This is my second time posting this post as I am really helpless and out of work for 8 months now.

I am a 24F, born and raised in the UAE with 2.5YoE in copy/content/editorial and social media, and I worked for an agency in India before coming to the UAE to stay with my family and look for active openings. Initially, everyone said the market is low due to Ramadan, then the war, and now they say hiring isn't active. I have been trying to apply for mid-level roles since January this year, to roles in Media & Comms and I already know being an Indian, the racial profiling is high so my chances are already low and on top of that I get reality checks saying I am STILL a fresher in UAE so I am now considering even entry-level roles or internships as long as it pays.

I understand staying at home means I don't have to contribute to the rent, groceries, etc but both my brother and I are looking for roles, and only my dad works, so I would really love to lessen the burden for him by taking up at least my & my bro's small expenses.

Anyone who has any tips or legit leads to in-house brands or agencies, kindly comment or DM. If I am getting anything wrong in the Media & Comms industry too in Dubai, please let me know.

I feel like such an a**hole even typing this out, but lately I genuinely cannot stand listening to people vent to me.

It's not about one specific person. It's everyone.

My close friend texts me about her ex, being bored, dating, life. My mom constantly talks about her weight, gym, family issues. My younger brother somehow always needs help fixing things he messed up. Even with my ex before we went no-contact, I found myself getting increasingly irritated by his incompetence with basic adult things.

And my immediate reaction now is just: please don't come to me. I don't want to hear it. Figure it out.

What's weird is that I've always been the opposite. I've always been the "good listener," the person everyone comes to, the one who offers advice, mediates, remembers details, checks in, and feels responsible for other people's emotions. I used to genuinely care.

Now I just... don't have it in me. I'm 24F, unemployed for the last 8 months, living back with my parents after leaving my job, grieving a breakup, and honestly trying to hold myself together. I have my own problems too, but I mostly deal with them on my own or speak to a therapist or joke with my friends where we BOTH share our issues. So when someone starts unloading on me, instead of feeling empathy, I feel irritated that I'm expected to hold space for them when I barely have space for myself. I've noticed it gradually building over the last few months.

Has anyone else gone through this? Is this just emotional burnout or compassion fatigue? Did it go away once your own life became more stable?

I don't want to become an uncaring person. I just genuinely feel like my capacity for other people's problems has hit zero.

https://preview.redd.it/gc3u79xbecgh1.jpg?width=1414&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7d12dd7c5678ea54c5e737dfcaa17460b4268b82

Hi everyone,

I've reached a point where I think I'm too close to my own resume to see what's wrong with it, so I'd really appreciate honest feedback.

For context, I'm 24F and have about 2.5 years of experience as a copywriter/content and editorial specialist in an agency. Since January, I've applied to well over 300 jobs since 8 months across India and the UAE. Most of the roles are for Copywriter, Content Writer, Editorial, or similar positions where I meet most of the requirements.

I don't mass apply. I tailor my resume for almost every application by matching keywords from the job description. I use AI to help identify ATS keywords, but I rewrite everything myself and only include experience I can genuinely back up. If I email an application, I also include relevant writing samples or portfolio links. Some of my work is under NDA, but I still have enough published work and samples to demonstrate my writing.

Despite all that, I'm getting rejected at the application stage itself. In many cases I don't even make it to an HR screening call, so far just 13-15 calls. I've revised my resume countless times, rewritten bullet points using measurable outcomes, improved ATS compatibility, and even had an HR friend review it. They suggested adding some colour because it looked too plain.

I'm also applying to junior copywriter and proofreader positions because I genuinely need work. I'm currently unemployed and have been for about 8 months, so I'm becoming less selective than I was initially.

I'm attaching my resume below.

I'd really appreciate brutally honest feedback. If you were a recruiter/ATS System looking at this for 10 seconds, what would make you reject it? Is it the resume itself, the way I've positioned my experience, or does this sound more like the current job market?

Thanks in advance.

24F, broke up with my ex 27M a year ago after repeated trust issues and breaches — lying, lack of effort, different values around family that he didn't communicate until we were a year in. We both are Catholics.

We couldn't fully let go after the breakup. He asked for forgiveness, wanted a second chance, said he was working on himself. We stayed emotionally and physically involved until a few weeks ago when I finally went no contact. Told him I couldn't keep going because it was coming at the cost of my mental peace and physical health.

Since the NOC I'd been feeling calmer. Then two nights ago he broke it to check on me after hearing I might be in danger. Now I'm spiralling wondering if it's a sign.

Here's my conflict: when we first started dating, I prayed about whether to pursue him, he pulled back, I let go — and then he came back three weeks later wanting to try. I took that as a sign. And I ended up tolerating a lot because of it.

I don't want to keep looking for signs that keep me stuck. But I also don't want to miss something real. How do you differentiate between a sign to keep going and your own mind looking for reasons to hold on?

My ex (28M) and I (24F) dated for almost 2 years. I ended the relationship because of repeated trust issues: lying about his past, secrecy around staying in touch with an ex, OF content, and poor boundaries with female friends. He also had a pattern of shutting down instead of communicating.

After the breakup we stayed in contact for over a year, including hooking up when I visited his city. Looking back, I think I was trauma bonded. He'd say he wanted to get back together, but I never saw enough accountability or consistent change to trust him again.

Three weeks ago I finally initiated no contact because staying connected was affecting my health. I was anxious all the time, sleeping badly, dealing with gastritis, constantly thinking about him, checking his social media, and still prioritising his feelings over my own. He accepted it, even though he didn't want it.

Yesterday he broke NC because he'd heard there were blast sounds near where I live (I'm in the GCC) and wanted to make sure I was safe. I replied briefly that we were okay. Since then he's continued the conversation, telling me about everything that's been going wrong in his life recently and then asking how I've been.

The welfare check itself felt completely valid, so I don't regret replying. But now I'm worried we're slipping back into our old dynamic. I know I don't want to restart contact, but I also don't want to be cold to someone I still care about.

Has anyone had an ex break no contact for a genuine reason? How did you respond without reopening the relationship? Where do you draw the line between being kind and maintaining the boundary?

i usually start feeling low atleast 5-7 days before my periods. it’s gotten worse in the last one year or so sometimes i feel low almost a week before my periods onset. i know it’s a cycle or phase and i still don’t know if it’s PMS/PMDD.

but i have been getting those voices in my head again, that makes me feel like shit. worthless. ugly. i quit my job 7 months ago, so far no offer in hand and my savings are less. i stay with my family with hardly any social circle cause most of my friends are out of town. i am also missing my ex of one year & the insecurities i received during the r/ship are speaking so loud to me giving me major body dysmorphia. i hardly wanna step out of the home for walks or working out and then my mind spirals cause i didn’t get in my steps or move my body. my weight is also stagnant for weeks now. i know it’s all negative thoughts but it’s really hitting me to a point i wanna throw hands. i hate this feeling it makes me question everything and everyone around me.

i just want some positive comments from fellow women here, just wanna know this isn’t happening just to me. i think it’s easier to open up here w strangers than with my family or friends about my low self esteem.

Hi all!

I'm a 24F, born and brought up in Abu Dhabi with about 2.5 years of experience in communications and editorial work. I've applied to 200+ roles in Dubai over the past 7 months, and the pattern is consistent: listings are either explicitly senior level or specify Arab/UAE nationals only. Almost nothing in between for someone with solid but early-career experience.

Everything that does come up tends to be digital marketing, sales, or PR, not content or editorial specifically. If you work in comms/content/editorial here, or know companies that hire for it at the mid-level, I'd genuinely appreciate any direction: companies to look at, agencies, industries that tend to have these roles, recruiters who actually work this space, anything.

Open to full-time or freelance/contract work too. DM for genuine leads only.

P.S: I have been applying to agencies, magazines and marketing comms.

Hi, I am a 24F from a non-STEM & business background working for over two years in Comms and recently I have been considering pursuing an MBA in HR or MA in Psych not out of interest just because I have realised that I am more fit for people-centric or behavioral roles (that also pays decent) unlike roles like mine which are being taken over by AI with low pay.

So I have been reading about both but I wanted to understand from folks and professionals who have pursued either of these and what they do in India right now. How is the pay and career growth, work-life balance? Any comments would help since I am still v new to this field. :]

I got a job offer and So I got a call from an HR consultancy for a content/communications role at a school. The setup is:

- Contract will be under the HR firm (third-party staffing)
- I'll report directly to the school's Communications Manager
- It's the typical 11-month contract situation

I do have some basic understanding of what a 11 months contract is but are there any pros and cons I should be aware of before hand?

My main concern is I've seen people get stuck in perpetual 11-month renewals for years with zero benefits and no path to permanence — especially through third-party staffing at schools/NGOs/institutions.

Has anyone been in a similar setup—contract under an HR firm, working at a school or institution? What was your experience? What do you wish you had asked or negotiated upfront?

Any red flags I should watch for in the JD or the contract itself would also be super helpful.

Background: I have a bachelor's degree (not STEM, humanities/arts) and two years of experience in content strategy and branding at a marketing agency. I'm not currently working. I'm 24F and genuinely scared of making another wrong move.

I'm interested in social sciences, IR, geopolitics — I follow this stuff naturally, not because anyone told me to. At the agency I liked the strategy and narrative side of work but found execution and metrics shallow and draining. I left and now I'm figuring out what's next.

Things I've considered and why I'm confused about each:

• SSC CGL — specifically the ASO MEA route because it actually touches IR and has the possibility of abroad postings eventually. This seems like the most realistic path to stable income within 1-2 years without needing another degree. But I don't know anyone who has actually done this and I'm scared of studying for something this competitive and not clearing it.
• MA + UGC NET — intellectually this fits me the most but timeline is brutal and the outcome isn't guaranteed (is what i keep hearing, like the money is good, pensions are good right?)

I'm also open to moving anywhere including abroad so I don't know if I'm limiting myself.

• Staying in comms/marketing — I have the skills but I'm scared of AI making this unstable and I found the work shallow. Open to being told I'm wrong about this.

What I actually want to know from people who have been here:

— If you did SSC CGL with a humanities background and no coaching, how did you actually prepare and how long did it take?

— Is the MEA ASO posting as interesting as it sounds on paper or is it just bureaucratic file work?

— For people who chose MA+NET — do you regret the income gap years? Was it worth it?

— Is there something I'm completely missing that gives relatively quick stable income for a non-STEM arts graduate in India?

I'm not looking for "follow your passion." I want to know what people actually did and whether it worked. Sorry for the long post.

I'm 24F and I've been stuck in a career decision loop for over a year. Every option looks both right and wrong and I can't commit. Someone recently pointed out to me that this might not purely be a career problem, that the confusion and fear spills into other areas of my life too, like relationships and my sense of identity in general. :/

I did career counselling two years ago and it gave me options but didn't really help me choose. I'm wondering if therapy alongside or before making big decisions actually helped anyone here get clearer, not just feel better, but actually make peace with a direction. Would love to hear from people who have been through something similar, especially if you were also dealing with the "I don't really know who I am" feeling alongside the practical stuff.

Post:
I (25F) have a close friend (27F) who I’ve known since childhood. Over the past 2 years, she’s been going through a lot, unemployment after graduation, ongoing job hunt struggles, a complicated family situation, and a long-term relationship that recently ended. She also has some additional challenges physically and is currently living at home.

I genuinely care about her and have tried to be there for her emotionally. However, our dynamic has gradually become very one-sided. She often texts me multiple times a day about how she feels, usually vague messages like “I’m sad,” “I’m bored,” “I’m frustrated,” without much context. Sometimes she’s even send a barrage of texts of just how she feels without telling what’s it’s about and stuff.

The issue is that I’ve also been dealing with my own personal struggles (including a breakup and career stress), but I still tried to support her through hers. Over time, I’ve started feeling emotionally drained because I feel like I’m expected to constantly respond, reassure, or interpret her feelings without enough context. The whole idea of seeing her name pop up on my phone gives me the dreads. so recently, I gently told her that when she sends vague emotional messages without context, I sometimes don’t know how to respond and it gets overwhelming for me. I also said I’m not always available on my phone and can’t always engage deeply although we both are currently at home these months.

She reacted a bit defensively, saying she doesn’t expect anything in return and that she was just sharing her feelings. But then she also implied she feels like she can’t open up anymore. Lately she doesn’t share much of her personal life esp regarding her ex but still would tell me she feels low, sad and even told me once she got su1cidal. And I pointed out that the lack of details is exactly why I feel like it’s extra work to just assume what you’re going through with a few rants.

Now I’m confused because I don’t want to invalidate her emotions. But I also feel like I’ve become her main emotional outlet. And I’m burnt out from constantly being the person she turns to, especially when I’m also struggling..I am not trying to cut her off — I just want healthier boundaries and a more balanced dynamic where I’m not the only emotional support system.

So I want to ask:
AITA for setting this boundary and not always responding to her emotional messages immediately or deeply? And how do I maintain this friendship without feeling