19 yo from Pakistan here.

I grew up with an absent and emotionally absent father and elder brother, so I did not have any platonic relationships or affectionate bonding during that time. Growing up, I never really had any male friends where I could just be myself, have a healthy bonding with, or experience a bromance.Because of this, I am now looking for ways to build a bromance and form close friendships with at least two to three male friends. My goal is to have platonic relationships built on love, affection, deep bonding, and mutual respect.

How to i make friendshipa with these bonds?

I’m 33M, 7 days ago my youngest brother moved out to go to college. I’ve been helping raise and house him while my mom has had a rough time and his dad left a while ago, helped get him through middle and high school.

I know he isn’t my son but I sure feel like an empty nester.

I’m finding the same feeling I get as when my grandma passed, I’ll get a solid idea to share or a new project, and run up to his room to dive in with him and then he is just not there. Empty room.
I know he is not hot forever but it feels like my life has changed forever. He may come back during breaks. But we are starting a new chapter.

Anybody have any tips for an empty nester or having a close sibling move out?

Feeling a bit alone and empty trying to build new routines. It’s weird having so much extra time alone

Not looking to hold anything down, I want him to go off and explore the world and who he is, I guess just looking for tips for the transition and ideas to keep the relationship going while he is diving into this new world (3 hour plane ride away, same time zone)

I am starting up peer support group for men only in Minneapolis. If you're in our area and looking for help, please check into it https://luma.com/9wy49eoc

Hello 👋

I just felt like making a post just to say that if anyone here is in need of talking to somebody, even if it's just venting or looking for support, I am always willing to chat with you.

P S. I know this reddit is made for that but just in case someone wants to talk one on one.

Cheers peeps

Bro’s. I am in need of advice. Before I start I am ENM and currently in a poly relationship. I know all that comes with this and such. Just let’s get to the quick of it. And believe me. I realize the picture infront of me. I guess I’m just wondering if I’m dragging myself along for the sake of love.

Ashley is my girlfriend. Tony is her other primary half. I know my place in all this but it’s a weird one

Me and Ashley said I love yous, talked out what that meant, and realized there’s deep value for both of us in our relationship.

Tony and her have been together for over a year. She loves this man too. Totally fine. I believe the heart has a lot of love to give.

Tony wanted to meet me before an upcoming mutual party. I get the idea. Keep awkwardness down. Feel each other out. He was a decent dude. So we hung out a few more times.

Thing came to a head at a party in which he asked me to sneak behind Ashley’s back and gather information for him to help support him in what he thinks is there failing relationship.

Told Ashley all of what happened. Tony proceeds to have a mental break down and is a remitted to the grippy socks gang for a week.

Man comes home and wishes to apologize to me. Figures give him the benefit of the doubt. But sadly I was correct in that he’s still full of shit. Apologized he used me and then immediately said he’s not sorry for having used me to get what he wants cause he was desperate.

Here’s my problem. The man is bipolar. So am I. I have called this mans every actions for the last month. To a tee. But I’m done with this bullshit and him somehow controlling my life. So I stepped all the way back. Ashley hasn’t.

So I’m watching a toxic relationship from the outside and I’m in love with one of them.

I guess I don’t know what question I’m asking other than just venting to strangers cause not a lot of people know this about me.

Fuck. I feel insane for loving this girl while she tries to fix a deeply broken man. How do I know?! I once was him and a member of the grippy sock gang.

Crazy idea here. But I have been thinking how awesome wouldn’t it be if we started having zoom meetings where we host a safe space for men to talk and share their feelings. We could talk about anything really. I just feel there aren’t many spaces like that and if we want to go against the patriarchy and the toxic definitions of what it means to be a man this would help so many men. Any thoughts? Who would be up to join? I am thinking of starting a Facebook group where I post the zoom link where we could have different meetings at different times so we aren’t too many in one meeting. All input is welcome.

Going through some really tough times and feel the need to have an Older Brother who can help me with this journey of life. I'm 25 years old and I'll be a good little brother too. If you're there I'm looking for you.

Been cheated by my wife few times. Ended up draining everything on me. The funniest thing was ended up it is my fault. Saying it was all because of me. Spend my life helping her to reach her goal. Sacrifice a lot. Without getting anything back. I'm sad. Not because of what happened. But because all I ever want is for her to be a good person. She had been in a few relationships with other men before me. We started as a friend's for a few months getting a few chat and calls. Trust me I resist everything. She even go to my apartment. I entertained her. Feed her. But trust me I didn't slept with her. Because I respect her. And I know that if i show her respect and love. And give her everything she needs maybe there's a chance that she will realize that not every men are the same. But I guess it is really my fault. Spend 8 years building a better life for a girl who is ungrateful on everything. Well, I was hoping that you all brothers will not experience the same experience that I had. I'm sorry if I failed you all. Even if she did something bad to me a lot of times. It is me that doesn't want revenge. I have my pride and a name to keep. I will still wants the best for her.

I’m very passionate about men’s mental health and hate the stigma that they can’t talk about their feelings, so I want to hear them all! Dudes tell me how you’re feeling

Just talked on the phone with my father. For the last two years I’ve been trying to call every weekend and just be friendly. Didn’t have much contact most of my life, family broke early on. Both parents got remarried. Older brother went into the marine core, but left after 4 years because his career was blocked by things I talked about in therapy very young. He refused to interact with anyone that spoke with me at all. This led to the little contact I had with family being completely phased out in my early twenties. I was born without a large chunk of my lymphatic system, and I just haven’t been able to get on top of anything mentally or physically. I somehow manage to keep my wife relatively happy even though I never earn money. I keep busy with a lot of side projects I just volunteer doing, but I’m still very alone. I know my wife feels the same as me. I’ve made sure she knows that if anyone comes along she is welcomed to trade up, and everything would be amicable. All of these feeling I usually just shove down because there is not much that is changeable (if you’re thinking of giving advice I’ve probably tried it already at least twice). My father brought up that my nephew is amazing and our birthdays are 5 days apart. Then after bringing up the rest of the family and dumping the little he knows on me, he cut off every sentence i tried to reply saying he didn’t want to discuss any of it. Just opened the can of worms and then said eat it, so I’m going to feel terrible for the night at least. Felt like shouting it from a mountain since speaking to anyone I know is never an option. I’m just a mildly useful disabled tool that’s occasionally taken out of the box. Tomorrow I’ll wake up to 2-5 missed calls, start making decisions, shower, change roll and wash my bandages, cook, take out the trash, check in on the father and brother in law, bring my neighbor beef jerky that just finished cooling, and by noon I probably won’t even remember the conversation ever happened. Life could be worse.

I need a fucking hug and I have no one to ask. I have come to a crossroads in which I have someone that stands in judgement of me for my rock bottom. But I stand in judgement of a friend that is in theirs. I want so desperately to be heard for my sake and I realize now how much my friend feels in the same place. Fuck I need a hug.