>>18307
i dont think it was a phase per se, it just didnt make me as happy as i thought it would. i have le schizotypal disorder and being around people is rly unpleasant for me, being pretty helped a lot with that and was good for my self confidence in general but it wasn't enough to make me genuinely enjoy being social. it was nice getting compliments and i even did a little modeling work but at the end of the day it was very hollow and i knew it wouldn't last forever no matter what. i tried to convince myself it was worth all the discomfort and effort and expense by hoping that somehow being cute would lead to a real relationship with someone whose presence doesnt make me feel awful, but of course it doesnt work that way. it mostly just lead to internet weirdos :c
im a lot happier now that im more honest with myself, being a shutin isnt ideal but until i can move out of the city its the lesser evil