I've seen some "strong female characters" in media who weren't really just strong to me, but were just one dimensional and had internalized misogyny. They had to be masculine, stoic, loud, etc.

Can you guys give me some examples of a "strong female character" whose whole personality was being "not like other girls" that annoyed you?

I (29F) have been dating my boyfriend (37M) for about 6 months. We live in different towns, about an hour and a half drive apart. He lives with a roommate and his dog, while I rent an apartment. He drives all over the state for his job, which gives him time to see me when he's in the area, which is more often than not. He stays at my place when it works for his schedule and the roommate watches the dog because I can't have animals in my apartment unless they are my pets, which I would have to pay for. While I have acknowledged that driving back and forth is a pain, he has to do it anyway for work and he saves some driving time by staying with me. I have yet to drive to see him because my car has been giving me issues. I want to get a new car as soon as possible, but I can't just yet because of finances. We have been talking casually about maybe moving in together when my lease is up for renewal in December. I can no longer afford to live in my apartment for another year due to rent hikes, and this would benefit both of us financially.

By December, we will have been together for over a year. We were talking last night and I mentioned wanting to get my own place for one more year before living together, as I've never lived with a boyfriend (or a dog) before and a year seems fast for me. He got upset and said that he's really stressed with how things are now and he wants to spend more time with his dog and with me, but he can't due to our current situation. I tried to compromise and suggested that I move into a place with fewer rules around pets so he could bring her over and I will drive to him more often. I want to spend more time with his dog, as I've only been around her for one day, so we can get used to each other before moving in. He said it was a bit of a red flag and a sign of commitment issues if I couldn't decide to move in after a year together. I told him I was committed and that I've seen couples move in together too soon and end up breaking up and I don't want that to happen. He's moved in rather quickly with his exes in the past and said it was fine and they stayed together for years. We both want to move forward in our relationship, but we have different ideas on how to do that. He says he feels time going by in life, which I understand. He's a bit sensitive about his age. But, what's one more year? I can't tell him today how I will feel at the end of the year. I might be ready to move in with him somewhere, but I can't guarantee that. It was awkward this morning.

We’ve has a family Amazon account for years, shared between me, my parents and brother. After my brother got married, I had no issue adding my sister in law to the account too.

Here’s where it’s been pmo: She claims she doesn’t have access to it, but always has packages for herself at the door. Maybe my brother is buying them on her behalf, idk. And then, I get emails of orders ordered by HER family members (siblings and parents!)

I told my brother there was no invitation extended to them to use the account, so I want them to stop. Apparently I’m blowing this out of proportion…but I feel like I’m setting a boundary. Ugh!

I hate how half the population (if not more) of men’s view on women is so disgusting. I’m even more horrified by the amount of guys who are just straight up pretending and hiding their gross mindsets just to show their true colors months or years after manipulating a woman into agreeing to be in a relationship with them.

I miss being little and not being sexualized - and even then we still sometimes were. It’s just hard. And men just don’t get it.

I 21F have been seeing this guy 30M for well over a month now. We’ve been texting a lot, calling, and had two great dates. We were about to become exclusive since he asked me to be his girlfriend officially, but I stepped away and told him that I changed my mind. I did this because I noticed he had liked very provocative videos of women online in the time we were talking/getting to know each other/when he was telling me how much he likes me. Then this past weekend he went out to a bar with his friends where he added multiple women on Instagram and followed an OF model that followed him back. He proceeded to text me the next morning out of the blue saying “what a night”. Why would he do this to me after saying he wants me to be his? And likes me a lot? I’m so upset.

I haven't had my period for almost two months and I took a test a month ago not pregnant and one today not pregnant. I am sexually active but the tests say not pregnant so is there a health issue as to why I don't have my period ?

why are some women so mean to women that they find physically attractive? not in a romantic way. just in a jealous way? when she doesn't speck to them and has a neutral facal expression?

I'm 29F, preparing for competitive exams, and recently had a talking phase that felt real- until I realized he wasn’t even half the man he claimed to be. As a die-hard romantic, it’s discouraging to keep dealing with people who just lead you on. It’s made me wary of wasting my time again.

That said, I’d love to hear from other women in their late 20s-30s who are also preparing for exams or just trying to make their careers work while dealing with loneliness. I know things eventually fall into place, but it’d be great to connect with like-minded people.

Would love to hear your thoughts. And yes, women only :)

To give some context: I’m 24. I spent the past 2+ years of my life single because I was in a really toxic relationship that left me super damaged and distrustful. I have been in intense therapy and doing a lot of internal work the past few years- which has been absolutely life changing and necessary. Something to understand about me in general- I tend to move very intentionally in relationships, I don’t hookup with people, I’m very protective over myself because of some sexual trauma I experienced when I was much younger. Most of my friends are decades older- and although I have a few friends my age, I tend to resonate with people that are much older than I am. I’ve been told countless times I have an old soul- which regardless of if I do or not, seems to be the vibe I give off. People tend to open up to me and share things ‘they’ve never told anyone before’ because I generally have a very welcoming, and non-judgmental demeanor. I’ve learned to love this about myself, making people feel comfortable, but I’ve also learned that sometimes it means that I do a lot of listening, and sometimes my needs aren’t met in friendships/relationships. 

A few years ago I became friends with this guy (35m), and we met through a common interest ( at a mushroom festival lol) , and honestly just really hit it off as friends- talking for hours, laughing, sharing music. I thought he was attractive but we didn’t pursue anything (which I was really grateful for) and we’ve remained friends even though we live in different states. This past august we met up (again for the mushroom festival) and ended up spending the entire trip being intimate as well as cooking, talking, sharing really beautiful moments together. I developed feelings for him, and it was really painful after he left. I had been reflecting on it lots, and recently decided to share with him how I was feeling (the sadness I felt after he left + the feelings I have in general) and he said he felt the exact same way- but didn’t want to ruin our friendship (same reason I didn’t bring it up sooner with him). Another piece of context: he is a very sweet, caring person, but struggles with overwhelming anxiety and insecurity. I’ve been there myself, and he told me that when he talks to me he feels super validated and cared for. I feel cared for as well, and we have such a good time, though his capacity for emotional support is definitely not as refined .

There’s a few things that make this difficult. #1) the distance- I  have done a distance relationship before, and I just don’t see it being feasible to make it work. #2) I sometimes question his emotional maturity. I recently went on his instagram and saw that he follows a few instagram models/ OF girls- which reaaaaallly put me off. I thought it was super out of character for him, but I guess I’m learning that people aren’t perfect and we’re not in a relationship so who am I to judge his porn habits 3) Although I have feelings for him- I’m not sure if he’s a partner I could see myself with long-term. The age difference is one thing- but I honestly just really want a partner that will be able to take care of me in a way that’s comparable to how I take care of them. And sometimes I think he’s so caught up in his own world- anxieties and worries- that he wouldn’t be able to give me the emotional support I need. 

It may seem so silly to harp on this- but it’s been running through my mind a lot. Is the instagram thing silly? Am I looking for perfection in a partner, because I’m a perfectionist myself? Am I overthinking something that’s not that serious? Is the fact that he’s 35, and not as emotionally developed a red flag? Are there other things I can’t see because I’m deluded in emotion? Am I just attached to him but not actually attracted to him as a partner?

Would love advice from anyone- thanks in advance  !!

And sorry for rambling! I feel like context is super important lol 

TW: Abortion

I don’t have any women in my life to talk to about this, hoping some of you can weigh in. Context but the title says the question:

I [26F] am pregnant, I’m with the father [27M] but I do not trust him to be a faithful partner fully. We were best friends (inseparable, talked daily for a few years) and started officially dating recently after both confessing we’d been secretly in love with each other. He was the person I called for everything, he was the person I trusted the most (I’m not close with family so I really mean he was my number 1).

Since we were supposed to be exclusive he took another girl on a date and I thought that was sorted out but the day I found out I was pregnant I also found out he’d kept in contact with her despite telling me he cut ties. That sucked extra because now I do not trust that he’s loyal to me.

We both want kids, there are barriers in this situation but they are easy to overcome. I’m in a place financially where caring for a child is very possible, I own a home with plenty of room, and I really want to be a mom.

However, because I don’t trust him now (I do think the trust will be rebuilt with time) I am not sure if I want to proceed with this pregnancy. If he hadn’t been talking to that girl [19F] I wouldn’t think twice about keeping it and starting a family with him. I don’t think I’ll be able to forgive myself if I go through with an abortion but I also don’t think I’ll be able to forgive myself if I bring my baby into an unstable relationship where it may feel unwanted by a parent.

To the women who had children with partners they didn’t trust: would you do things differently if you could do it over again?

I feel like I have wasted my golden era staying single.

Why is porn, racism, and extreme sexism available on Reddit but…

On many threads certain words aren’t allowed? Like not even hateful maybe just a cuss?

I just searched blue eye threads for fun (I have blue eyes)

And there were sooooo many Blue eyed blow job videos.

Thanks Reddit. No wonder incels lurk here

is there a way to have that constant feel good dopamine ovulation brings?

This is really hard to explain but I've discussed that I've had problems before with my sexual activity but it's also become apparent that periods are meant to be somewhat significant and I've only just realised that I've never really noticed when I had mine is this a potential health problem. I'd ask google or something but I'm pretty sure it's not cancer

Drop your best eye cream recs please.

Hey I am a 23( F )who has been drinking a mixture of cloves and cinnamon beverage for a couple of weeks now and I'd like to know if anybody else has tried this regimen and how it worked for them. I was taking it to reduce menstrual cramps and I can say it has but it's only day one so I can't be certain that the other days will be pain free and I've also not had a lot of bleeding. Anybody with a similar experience please let me know and if you have any theories drop them below. Thanks looking forward to constructive responses.

This is going to sound so conceited, but I am often told I am very beautiful/pretty/cute etc. I have had lots of men and women compliment my looks and personality.

But...

I CANT FIND A FREAKING DATE? Like no one wants to actually date me?

I'm thankful all these people compliment me, but why doesn't it translate to the dating world?

Sincerely, 24 and never been on a date 🤣

Anyone else? I don't wanna feel alone ❤️

Ok so my friends and I all have a pretty solid group. There is this girl, we will call her, Lana who clearly doesn't like me. Whenever someone makes a joke. she laughs her ass off, but as soon as I open my mouth, she scoffs at me or looks at me like I'm dumb or ignores me. We make a bunch of jokes and I never say anything that's to "out of pocket" compared to anyone else. She's friends with the rest of my friends so I can't avoid her, and since she's not flat out bullying me or anything I can't tell them to stop hanging out with her. It's also hard cause I was in this group first so I feel like she came in and replaced me. I want to do something but I'm worried about starting drama. Any advice?

Throw away because this is literally so embarrassing, but it’s a problem I cannot talk to anyone close to me about because it’s so personal so I’m gonna tell strangers on the internet. So I’ve been dating my boyfriend for about 6 months and he’s only tried fingering me twice and attempted to eat me out once. He says it’s because of the idea of bodily fluids and sweat but he grimaced every time he’s near it and it’s mortifying. I will admit I used to have a hygiene problem and it used to smell pretty bad but over the months that issue is almost completely resolved. He definitely had a sensitive nose I know this but I just wanted to see if anyone else has had a taste/smell sensitive partner that couldn’t eat them out or am I really that repulsive

On the topic, if anyone could recommend supplements or soaps that possibly gets rid of that natural smell and maybe makes it taste of something different? I obviously don’t trust the stupid tiktok supplements

I've noticed a dangerous trend where men shame women for promiscuity and mansplain it away by saying that the will of the lord is to create baby miracles so everything is sunshine and rainbows. All this in the context of illegalizing birth control and abortion. It's like this is the new normal and I'm in shock.

Trump literally paid off a pornstar, and we are talking about illegalizing birth control? Specifically women's forms of birthcontrol. IUDs, oral contraception, plan B...

Why isn't the conversation on regulating the pornographic industry, for example, if what they are worried about are promiscuity and the wellbeing of women? Because it's so normalized that men consume pornography since they have "needs" that aren't being met. (Because darn women they're so uptight!) But at the same time will label women promiscuous because of what they consume.

If you actually want your woman to conceive more kids, that's fine, a man can dream of a big family. But why don't we focus on improving maternal mortality, maternal postpartum depression, disparities to pre and postnatal healthcare access, gynecologic anomalies and infertility treatment, pediatric surgeries and treatments to correct congenital malformations and genetic disease, etc. So far the administration is not pressed about doing any of these things.

Or is neonatal/maternal mortality god's will too? Why don't we just call everything god's will then and stop improving things all together, just let nature take its course and abandon ourselves...

Are zygotes more important to people than family planning and maternal wellbeing? What happened to freedom of choice?

I’m (24F) on the Mirena IUD for about 3 weeks (side note: I’ve been on the Skyla twice for 5ish years and then switched to a Mirena IUD for longevity purposes) and my boyfriend (27M) has asked me what are the chances I lose feelings for him after I get off birth control? He said he has done research on the iud bc he wanted to know what I’m going to experience and wants to help in anyway he can. But he read a lot of Reddit forms on how women that also had an IUD or hormonal birth in general, after years of being with their husbands, when they got their birth control removed/stopped taking it, they can no longer look at their husband, and lose feelings.

I’ve tried to calm his nerves but literally how am I supposed to predict the future about my feelings lol?? Like every women’s experiences are different so even if most women experience changes in how they feel about their partner, doesn’t mean I will. But he is paranoid I wouldn’t want to be with him if the day comes when I get my birth control removed.

If anyone has experienced this or can just give me some advice to help him, I would be so appreciative!

Hi! Looking to see if anyone else has experienced similar symptoms as I have. I was on the pill for 17 years straight - with only two different kinds of birth control but there were no breaks in between. My husband and I want to start a family & are trying to conceive. I am having the worst and hardest adjustment. I am 4 months post-pill and feel all kinds of symptoms. In the first two months my period was on schedule with symptoms I had been used to. The past two months however, not so much. I experienced what I had before birth control and my periods have been SO incredibly intense. Painful cramps, headache/menstrual migraines, mood swings, nausea, exhaustion, lower back pain - you name it. My period came about 4/5 days early last month - I have no idea if i'm even ovulating regularly anymore either. I had been using the ovulation strips to test in the beginning but it was stressful & overwhelming to keep track of and I feel like I was getting in my head too much about having a baby. But even outside of my cycle I feel tired & just not myself (not to mention acne which I never dealt with & a little weight gain but nothing significant) - i've had all the bloodwork etc. done & nothing has come back abnormal so, I know it can take months to adjust - just looking to see if anyone else has had similar experiences & if there's anything you've done to manage it. Also, if you have been through this before & have been able to conceive post-pill. I think my biggest fear is that I won't be able to because of how long I was on the pill & how intense my periods are. Neither of my doctors are worried - i've had appointments and conversations with them, I just don't feel like they've given me enough direction other than letting me know there's supplements I can take and dietary changes I can make to help. What's worked for you? Asking for a friend & some insight. :)

I'm 50 and firmly in perimenopause. A few women have told me that HRT changed their lives so I'm considering talking to my doctor.

I have a lot of symptoms but the ones that bother me most are brain fog, horrible memory, terrible focus, anti-depressants not working as well, irritability, and night sweats.

Would love to hear your experiences.

This is very random but I was thinking if anyone else feels this way. I don’t want to see or talk to anyone on my period. Specially my parents. I don’t hate them or anything or technically anyone but for some reason I feel weak and vulnerable on my period and just don’t want anyone to talk to me. I just feel disgusted and cringed out.

Hello ladies, as the title states, my recent pap came back with abnormal cells and with an HPV positive result despite getting all three Gardisil vaccines when I was 10. I am 33 and terrified. I’ve never had to face my mortality before and now that’s all I am thinking about lately. My partner (36M of 4 years) and I are so scared. I did do some research and found it to be rare that the abnormal cells are cancerous, however, being it is also rare that I still contracted HPV even with the Gardisil vaccines, I’m thinking I’m the exception. Wondering if any of you lovely ladies can comfort me with some experiences that are similar and didn’t turn out the way my mind is telling me it will.

All the love and thanks.

Anyone who has experienced the same- any tips? I wanna feel like I am not alone.

I have been feeling very uneasy and bloated since getting on the pill. Moreover the mood swings have been so random.

I’m so curious because right now I’m talking to a guy who I know is interested in me (first time ever so you have no idea how nervous I am; I also think he’s super good looking so I was excited about it) but I genuinely feel like I’m talking to a middle schooler when we text. The humour, the responses, the attitude… he’s literally already made a joke about how “guys always and only think about pussy!!”. I’d somehow get it if we were closer, but it was so out of pocket. I remember hearing these from my MIDDLE SCHOOL DAYS! Not that i’m an adult now, I’ll turn 18 soon. But you get the gist. I’m not excited when he replies to my messages, I don’t remotely get any butterflies when we’re talking, and maybe it’s too soon to understand that, but we’ve also talked in real life. And I didn’t really feel anything. I told him that extremely religious countries aren’t really high in my list of places I want to visit (we were talking about our dream destinations), because I don’t think I could handle the pressure to cover up (and I’d rather not go if that meant disrespecting the place’s norms). His answer was “Yeah but that’s not a valid excuse for me”. No shit?? The pressure to cover up isn’t as rampant for you since you’re a guy!! He also made a “joke” about a place I want to visit/one of my interests and it came off as very mean. Once again, I don’t feel like I’m talking to a 18 yr old. Is this true for most guys? Do they actually take longer to mature??

Also I’ve said the most normal, basic, average things-you name it-and he’s been hitting me with the “Omg, you’re the first person I’ve ever met that thinks this way! You never get anything wrong! You’re INCREDIBLE” This could be my anxiety speaking but none of this feels genuine. One of the things I said was that I think school sucks the fun out of things that are actually fun to learn. This is almost UNIVERSAL. Every person i’ve met thinks this way. He was like “this is impossible, I can’t believe it! People say I’m crazy when I tell them this! You’re the first person who thinks the same as me!” like maybe I’m being too judgey and suspicious, but… this can’t be true! Is he really just desperate to get me to like him back as quickly as possible? Sorry I’ve never had this happen to me, I genuinely don’t know how to act

I don't even know how to process these emotions so I am asking this here...pls don't be too harsh

So basically I love to post my got pics on my social media posts and story where sometimes even my chest is kinda in focus and I like it that way..yes ik that I am trying to show my chest and I want it to be sexy

My friends..idk maybe it is just my thinking are kind of judgy...for ex one day my friend said don't wear this top in college bcz it can show ur cleavage and guys can yk see it from wrong eyes and I understand she was coming from point of concern but honestly idc how a guy is seeing me. It is his problem not mine. I really don't care. And I have said the same to her and my other friends but they said "but this is not right attitude , u should care what they think"

Anyways similarly if I post anything that has my chest or in general something sexy...I was always kinda afraid..here comes blah blah advice ( which I honestly don't want but I don't want this to say directly and he rude bcz my friends are genuinely sweet). So I basically hid them from my story view.

It was going well until one of my friend somehow got to know that I had removed her from story view and I had to make some excuse and now I cannot even remove them from that.

So 1-2 days ago me and my friends were playing " we listen and we don't judge" game and in that one of my friend said " pls don't get it personal but I feel like ur stories are posted in order to get attention(certain type of attention)...so u kind of look like attension seeking to me". Similary another friend said " don't feel bad but intially I thought u were hookup kind of person". Similary when I was asking one of my friend when her and her bf are planning of have their first sex...she was like.."obv after marriage"..which kind of shocked me..and my another friend said " listen to me... don't have sex with any guy before marriage bcz it is proven that guy loses intrest after sex and girl starts having more"

Similary today we were again playing truth and dare and one of my friends said " I know why a lot of guys like u..it is bcz of ur stories and basically boobs" and another friend said " it is not like I hate them but I don't like some of ur insta stories either..they seem kinda cringey"

I am a kind of person who loves to dress sexily bcz I never had permission to do so at home. So now I have freedom..so I wanna do everything. Similary I never ever post to get attention. Yes I Obv like when guys say I look hot but even if no one says...I would still be happy. I don't post to show anyone...I just post bcz I love posting and showing my life , even if even one person is seeing it.

My friends are very sweet but at the same time bcz of them I am very very hesitant to do anything sexy. One of my friend said "I feel like u ( pointing towards me) have the most secrets among us" and it is true..and I never ever share anything with them bcz I know I would get bombarded with advice and silent judging..both which I don't like

So how should I process these emotions?