I know how you feel. I'm a loser. I have been woefully underemployed all my life. I've had a lot of issues I've had to deal with in my life. I am a loner, and introvert, and a bit eccentric. I've never really had anybody in my corner in my life. I've never had a mentor close family close friends Church Etc to Stand By Me. I had to be strong, self-sufficient and independent all my life. Now about those successful assholes. A lot of them are narcissist who will do anything say anything to get what they want. If your ethical and honest it's a lot tougher in this world. In my opinion dishonesty seems to be considered normal.

Not at all, l'm a loser and I'm self-sufficient!

You lack confidence. People you see who look like "winners" or are labeled that way or are "assholes" have confidence that you don't. People respond to confidence. Sometimes those same guys get called "fuck boy" but they don't give a shit and they definitely don't write a post about it. They move on until they find someone who responds.

You seem too concerned with how people see you in comparison to how you see others. Something I've always found helpful is that you're comparing their highlight reel to your blooper reel. You don't see them when they're low, and if you do you're not labeling them a "winner" so you don't compare yourself to them.

I'm divorced for about 4 years now and haven't been in another relationship and haven't tried to find anyone. My self-confidence sucks but I also know that I have a few goals focusing on myself, health & financial for the most part. I'm working to get out of that mind set that I need another person for validation or conformity. If I meet someone great that's one thing, but since I'm not worrying about it I've excelled at work, ran my first full marathon, moved to Florida (that one's questionable) but done a lot of things that I thought were lofty goals. I normally wouldn't talk that much about myself but I feel like I still am or working to get out of a similar boat.

Once I conquer everything I want to alone, I have a feeling that I'll have very little trouble finding a great person to spend my time with.

I am afraid life can be pretty unfair sometimes. I read somewhere recently that good-looking people get better jobs, earn more money and attract more members of the opposite sex. This just seems to be a fact of life. Looks are superficial and when you really get to know someone it’s not their looks that keep the attraction going it is their personality. Some of the most attractive people are just hollow shells. All we can do is just be the best versions of ourselves and hope a like minded partner will be attracted to these qualities. It is fine being an independent person to a certain extent but we are social animals so don’t try to plough too lonely a furrow!

Ive spent a little brain power observing those that society calls "winners" and "Successful". Based on what? Whose goal other than mine do I have to reach? Am I not intelligent enough to know what makes me happy? As far as the dating thing goes, I've discovered that every woman that rejected me did me a favor by steering me away from a possible toxic relationship and steered me into valued ones. If you understand that there's a bright side to everything you will feel less anger etc about things in life.

Don't compare yourself to other people.

I feel that being self-sufficient is counter-culture as is. Our status quo wants us to be in relationships and married with house and kids and stuff. So to basically not follow that norm and live independently with acceptance of our own feelings and doing our own things, that alone is winning in the battle of "marching to our own drums".

As for the universal asshole versus good guy arguement, here is my winning statement: Just be you. A woman will or will not be attracted as they see fit. We ladies aren't all one size fits all either. The more open and flexible, the more likely you are to find the one you really want to be with.

Hope that helps. Best of luck out there dude.

I’m not sure what you’re asking. Are you referring to something specific you’ve experienced? Are you saying that you’ve seen a lot of arrogant jerks who seem to be able attract women, but when you act like an arrogant jerk, it blows up in your face and you’re not sure why? Did you reject someone and suffer some kind of negative consequence? I’m just trying to get what you’re asking. For some reason, at this exact moment, I want to understand where you’re coming from.

A LOT of those seemingly happy people are really extraordinarily unhappy. My worst bully in jr high and HS is in jail for triple murder!

Some TMI...but fuckit, I've always tried to be fairly open and you are bearing your soul a bit here. If others aren't comfortable reading our stuff, they don't have to.

I'm probably someone others look at as "successful" or "happy". I'm tall (weirdly important for too many women) athletic, crazy deep voice, professionally successful, so far if I want to be in a relationship takes less than a year. Although I often self-impose celibacy for my own emotional health. Hopefully I'm mostly an asshole to people who deserve a kick in the ass, and some people do deserve it plus emotional health mandates not being nice to every asshole or bitch who happens into your life.

I was also raised by a dad who didn't have a clue how to show love, we were in several fistfights growing up, I was raped as kid (warned you TMI, but my involvement in a survivor group is public here), bullied badly until my sophomore year-even to the point of broken bones, struggled in school but now I have a masters and may get a PhD, my ex couldn't have kids and something I kinda always wanted won't happen, diagnosed with PTSD and depression....

The point isn't about my struggles, but overcoming obstacles. You're a young guy. A grad student, someone with ability and ambition. Figure out what's important to you, what you can be wildly passionate about. Know yourself so you understand what makes you look in the mirror every week or so and say, "I like the man you are becoming", pursue a realistic career plus your own passionate hobbies.

For me CBT in therapy was critical, although many therapists suck so be choosy who you go to. For me meditation has also been phenomenal. Find friends who value you, love you but care enough to tell you hard truths. NOBODY is really self sufficient. Our relationships define us....lots of stuff here and you've already been deluged with random advice from strangers.

Love YOU, plan for the future and know none of your plans will turn out exactly right. You're a sensitive, caring man who deserves a good life. If you're mostly kind to people who are kind in return you'll be the guy other's think of as having it all together and maybe you'll help others in time too.

Good luck dude, you're vulnerability and honesty is precious.

Figure out your goals and work toward them. Always work on self-improvement goals -- better financial management, better health, better grammar/math skills, etc. The world is at your fingertips with Google so learn something new weekly and watch videos to learn new skills too. Keep up with current news and learn real information about real political ideas/concepts.

Stop worrying about finding a significant other....when the time is right, the right person will show up. In the meantime, you owe it to yourself to be the best possible version of you.

I feel like you are conflating a few things here... Or at least not illustrating a clear connection.

1. Being self sufficient is more about personal security and ideally a self contained happiness. In context of a "winner" it is like solitaire it is between you and you. But socially speaking winners are more a result of collaborative efforts which being able to be self sufficient tells you nothing about collaborative skills.

2. Some guys attract girls and break their hearts so other people shouldn't judge you for being picky in your dating....

I fully agree you should set whatever standards you want for dating but the context here is just so disconnected.

I think you have bought in to the stereotype of all or most women loving the bad boy or asshole and I would challenge you to develop some self awareness or introspection about the types of women you are chasing. It reminds me of the men that whine about all women being gold diggers as they go out of their way to only date materialistic women who expect lavish lifestyles. heh

I feel like the secret is to never give up. Just keep on trying, over and over again. Even when it hurts. Even when you’re tired. Even when you wonder if it’s still worth it. Just keep trying. At everything you do, for everything that matters to you. That’s how you win.

People are weird. I have experienced and seen what you speak about. They react to certain things. People are mostly predictable though. You can try to use that to your advantage depending on who you interact with. If being yourself isn't working, then maybe try to fake it, or if you can't and are too genuine then just be you and wait for someone who will appreciate you. Easier said than done, I know.

I have come to believe that the assholes do have the majority of power (because they are assholes). My theory has been proven time and time again (to myself). I have no idea how that can be changed. I don't think that I am one and therefore I find it hard to act like one (intentionally anyway) so I just be myself and although my uniqueness may upset some people there are also others that appreciate it. My point being is that you will never get everyone to like you or accept you so throw that notion away. My experience has been that those who go against the status quo are the most interesting and strongest people out there. Strive for quality not quantity in your life and may I just add that I think you have the right idea about being strong and independent.

I think you answered your own question. Try being an asshole every once in a while. What is with this nonsense about trying to get 3 and 1/2 billion broads to like you? Delete that "I'm a good listener" crap from your bio also that music college stuff unless you can play Crazy Train on your oboe. No woman is pining for an oboe player. You are broadcasting the message that youre willing to be shit on as long as some woman will show me their rack. Not everyone likes you. So what? Not everyone likes me and I'm friggin wonderful. You have to learn, and you can, to not give a fuck about some things.
Your pal,
Tom

You do you, I do me and everyone strive to cause or do no harm. Do NOTHING to ANYONE that you would NOT want done to you. Love EVERYONE in your human family. Some things are really easy to understand if you just take a minute to think about it.

How many "winners" commit suicide? Get rid of your envy... do not measure life on being able to do what you want... trump can't watch porn in the white house! Grow up.

(I'm so confused....) sorry.

The world is full random events that effect you in numerous ways. Unfortunitly they effect some people in more positive way and leave others in the dust. I'm one of those in the dust.

Not sure what you're saying. If you mean that you want casual hook ups without consequences, then you're not someone I'd ever want to date.

If you mean you want to be picky about who you date, since you're male, it's up to you to make the first move, ask women out, etc. If aggressive females come after you, just thank them and say you're not interested.

By the way, this website has a bit of a learning curve for dating.

If you answer the profile questions and write your profile, listing your hobbies and interests, you'll earn website points, and members can get to know you.
Commenting on posts and writing your own earns more points. At level two you can private message people, and at level eight you get an agnostic T-shirt.

The website uses profile algorithms to find member matches, so the more details one includes, the better the match.

Many women prefer to see a written profile talking about interests, hobbies, and backgrounds that can be quickly perused to find compatible partners.

In case you didn't know yet, to find members near you, click on the "Browse" button at the top of the page, then on "Members," and enter your preferred search parameters.
Click on the "Discuss" button, then "Nearby" to find members near you also.
Or click on the "About" button at the top left of the page to find links to FAQ or the website tutorial.