Men of Reddit, I'm looking for your perspectives, stories, and opinions to gain insight into the world beyond my comfort zone. I find myself at that crossroads only heartbreak can bring with the realization that I likely recreated unhealthy patterns. As I work through that and navigate this shitty situation, I'd love to read your thoughts and stories about the topics below. There is likely more diversity of opinion in this subreddit than in the rural area where I live, and I'd like to hear from people whose paths I might never cross in real life.

1. What are your thoughts on beauty standards, bodies and the way they change over time, etc.? As an older millennial, I've been subjected to a lot of unhealthy messaging around weight, skin appearance (stretch marks, the inevitable wrinkles, etc.), body hair, and make-up use. Do you ever feel self-conscious about your own body or feel that society puts unrealistic standards on you? Do you have opinions about your partner's physical appearance, or is that even important at all to you?
2. For anyone seeking out a relationship or currently in one, what is, or was, your motivation for wanting to be in a relationship?
3. How is your social life? Do you have friends and, if you do, how do you nurture your friendships while also maintaining your romantic relationship? I'd also love to know how many of you have friends of different genders and what your opinions are about that.
4. What's the most important quality you look for in a partner? What are some red flags you try to avoid?
5. What are examples of intimacy that matter to you?
6. Finally, do you ever feel misunderstood in the dating world? Are there things about yourself that you wish people saw more clearly?

Thanks in advance for indulging my curiosity. No gender is a monolith and I think hearing stories and opinions that differ from the types of people I tend to gravitate to might help me break some cycles and grow more as a person. At the very least, it might be a fun distraction to read your perspectives.