I'm 28, from New Jersey, and working to move to Nevada in 2025.

I decided from now on, I will never give a man power over me.

This is because multiple crushes of mine have rejected me and then given mixed signals after rejecting me; it pisses me off.

Crush #1, lives in Illinois: "I don't do meetups". 2 days later: "I can't get enough of you". (I've had suspicions Guy #1 is DL, but he's the one that inspired this post - all the mixed signals men give me make me want my autonomy back)

Crush #2, lives in Washington State: "Talking to people online is not something I do." 2 months later: "You're my favorite person" (Guy #2 is also bi and closeted; Guy #2 also kissed 2 guys on national television). 2 days later (after statement #2): "I've thought about you all day."

Crush #3, lives in California: "I'm gonna be honest, I don't do meetups". 1 month later, I find out he has a crush on me. He won't date me because of his internalized homophobia (Guy #3 is bi and closeted). 1 month after the crush: "I'm starting to miss you!" (When he cut off contact, and now he's trying to talk again? Mixed signals, much? I hate indecisive men - you either want me, or you don't - ugh!)

Out of all 3, myself and #2 have the same love of nerdy things. #3 and I both have the same sense of humor and are both laidback/chill. #1 and I both love our independence and entrepeneurship. However, all 3 led me on and let that be a lesson - If you give men power over you, you are stupid. Make your own decisions and live for yourself. I come from multiple generations of self-made women, who told their husbands what to do. Not the other way around.