"I think I'm a cool guy but everyone at work thinks I'm an asshole. I grew up with a shitty father and my mom was always angry. I was taught to be tough, but living that way left me with no room to feel soft. Sometimes I wish my life was a little different. Maybe I’d be better at sympathizing for everyone if my parents ever let me feel anything other than “a man”. But because of my traits, I come off “rude” or “condescending” all the time. Eventually, I start to believe it. I’m the asshole who works in finance and have no love life because I feel nothing but ego and confidence. If I show anything lesser than that, I’m corny. I’m unfixable at this point because I’ve accepted this is how I will always be. These are the traits I was raised to follow and practice, but if I could cry and feel sorry for myself regularly, I don’t understand why I can’t do it for others. I feel sorry for myself honestly. Sure, I’ve got a great career, nice car and live well; I like to think my attitude led me here, but; it’s pretty lonely coming home to no one.  It's lonely having a nice car and no one to ride it with. It’s really fucking lonely buying myself gifts and not surprising someone else with any. I blame my father for all of it, but I blame my mom for allowing it. I’ll never tell them that, but; that’s life I suppose. I’ve been seeing a counselor in the city for a few weeks and instantly collapse every visit. I’m filled with so much anger and sadness, I just wish everyone saw that. Perhaps they’d see me differently if they knew my story.  All of the girls I dated end up hating me and I haven’t felt love in years. I can’t talk to anyone about it because in societies eyes, this makes me weak, so that’s why I want to remain anonymous. I like being able to express myself in secrecy because I have no one else to talk to about it.” - Anonymous