Chapter 1: The Turning Point

This narrative follows a man who seemingly had it all until one rejection altered his trajectory forever. This is Levi's story.

Levi is not his actual name, but he has consented to share his story publicly. Additionally, no tigers or bunnies were harmed in the making of this article.

Everything was progressing smoothly for Levi until a couple of weeks ago when unexpected events took a turn for the worse. He suddenly found himself facing a crisis as everything he had worked diligently to achieve over the last two years began to unravel.

So, what exactly happened?

Levi might not excel in the world of relationships, but he certainly shines in other areas. For one, he possesses striking blue eyes that captivate many. Contrary to the typical tall, dark, and handsome archetype, women are often enchanted by his gaze. With his curly brown hair and well-built physique, he certainly catches attention. On top of that, he enjoys a stable and lucrative career as a developer with 15 years of experience under his belt.

Despite all these attributes, his love life is far from ideal. Levi exemplifies the truth that good looks and a high income do not guarantee romantic success—a common misconception in the dating scene.

After experiencing multiple failed relationships, he reached a breaking point. It's a familiar scenario: individuals who struggle to find the right partner often realize that life can be fulfilling even without a significant other. For Levi, this realization was liberating.

He decided to create a Tinder profile, but for the first three months, he went unnoticed. Undeterred, he shifted his focus to casual encounters, being upfront about his intentions from the outset. While many women opted out, a few were open to a no-strings-attached arrangement, leading to several brief flings. Levi relished this new lifestyle, finding it liberating.

As time went on, two of these women remained in his life for more casual, non-committed relationships, marked solely by physical intimacy and the occasional dinner. Levi maintained complete emotional detachment, enjoying this arrangement until one of the women expressed her desire for something more serious and began dating others.

Suddenly, Levi found himself questioning his previous stance. "What about me?" he wondered, realizing that he viewed her through a different lens now that she was considering other options.

“You mentioned you wanted just fun,” she reminded him.

“Maybe we could explore more?” he suggested, but she never followed up, leaving him feeling rejected and confused.

In a moment of desperation, Levi reached out to me, expressing his strong feelings for her. He described their encounters as unmatched, and his emotional turmoil intensified when he spotted her on a date with someone else.

"How could she?" he lamented, despite having his own casual relationship.

I listened, recognizing the familiar pattern of emotional turmoil that many face. When confronted with rejection, individuals often cling more tightly to those who dismiss them, driven by unresolved childhood traumas.

Whereas healthy individuals might view rejection as a minor inconvenience, for those grappling with emotional wounds, it feels catastrophic. In their eyes, the person who rejected them transforms into an idealized figure, often overlooking the reality of their previous disinterest.

I explained this dynamic to Levi, who accepted the analysis but still struggled with the emotional pain.

“It still hurts,” he admitted.

I understood. The ache of unrequited feelings can often cut deeper than the pain from genuine love.

Against my advice, Levi chose to escape his feelings by spending five days with another woman, hoping that a "sexcation" would help.

He called me that very night. “I took a train back. It was a disaster,” he said, devoid of enthusiasm.

Contrary to popular belief, attempting to remedy heartbreak with physical intimacy rarely works and can lead to feelings of emptiness.

What truly aids healing is this: avoid trying to fill emotional voids with superficial distractions. Relying on temporary fixes only leads to deeper issues. Instead, remind yourself that this too shall pass. Change is the only constant in life!

Seek out friends and engage in activities together. Go for a walk or meet up for a chat about anything but your feelings. Avoid dwelling on your heartache, as this only traps you in a cycle of pain.

Continuously affirm to yourself: “This isn’t reality; it’s just my mind reacting to past trauma.” Dive into work as if your life depends on it! This is your opportunity to tackle those overdue projects and potentially earn a promotion or generate extra income.

Most importantly, exercise! It's a powerful antidote to sadness, and I can't emphasize this enough: get moving!

Steer clear of quick fixes; they often come with heavy consequences. The mind holds the capacity to uplift or destroy us.

Levi has emerged as a survivor of his own thoughts. He joined a gym, took on more responsibilities at work, and began cycling daily with friends he had previously neglected.

Though the pain still lingers, he has evolved into a stronger individual. Remember, true strength often emerges through adversity, and it’s essential to embrace vulnerability as a part of growth.

Chapter 2: Embracing Change

The Most Desired Male Body Type, According to Women

Spoiler alert: it’s not what men think.

Love this article? Support my work on Ko-fi.

Love my writing? Subscribe to my email list.