"How I Made Sure No Woman Ever Friend-Zoned Me Again"

She calls you when her car breaks down. When she needs help moving. When some guy she's actually dating treats her badly.

You're the listener. The reliable one. The guy who would treat her so much better, if she'd just open her eyes.

She won't. You trained her to see you as the low-effort option — the friend who requires zero risk and zero investment. Every favor dug the hole deeper.

The "22 Rules" break the pattern. You'll stop auditioning for a role she already cast and become the man she chases instead. It starts with Rule 1.

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How can I get rid of stress?

nelysses

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I know it's a ridiculous title, but that's the way it is.

I clench my teeth until I break another tooth every week, my hair falls out, my weight loss has completely stopped... and most of it is stress related.

But the problem is I don't know what I'm stressed about.

I've reduced masturbation and plan to gradually reduce it to 0 (still 1 a day). They said that could be the cause, but it doesn't seem to be very helpful right now.
 

"Why Women Dump the Guys Who Try the Hardest"

You paid for dinner. You drove. You said "whatever you want is fine" every single time. All the effort, no expectations.

And she left anyway — probably for a guy who makes her pick up the pizza.

Painful. Also predictable. Her mind quietly concludes that anything requiring zero effort from her is worth exactly zero. You became a free sample, and free samples get taken for granted.

The 22 Rules flip the dynamic. Small shifts that get her investing effort, money, and time in you — until SHE'S the one afraid of losing YOU.

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plumber

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I know it's a ridiculous title, but that's the way it is.

I clench my teeth until I break another tooth every week, my hair falls out, my weight loss has completely stopped... and most of it is stress related.

But the problem is I don't know what I'm stressed about.

I've reduced masturbation and plan to gradually reduce it to 0 (still 1 a day). They said that could be the cause, but it doesn't seem to be very helpful right now.
lots of self help books exist.

I like this one:
Unfu*k Yourself: Get out of your head and into your life. Author Gary John Bishop.
 

Plinco

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I know it's a ridiculous title, but that's the way it is.

I clench my teeth until I break another tooth every week, my hair falls out, my weight loss has completely stopped... and most of it is stress related.

But the problem is I don't know what I'm stressed about.

I've reduced masturbation and plan to gradually reduce it to 0 (still 1 a day). They said that could be the cause, but it doesn't seem to be very helpful right now.
I'd advise doing some personal writing and looking for beliefs or goals you have that are in conflict with each other. There's something that is affecting you that you've repressed. Once you've identified the issue, then write a plan to solve it and act it that. The stress won't go away until you have solved whatever problem is plaguing you.
 

BackInTheGame78

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Impossible.

All you can do is improve how you manage it.

Meditation, deep breathing and walks in nature are a good starting point.
 

FlexpertHamilton

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Meditation/breathing exercises/nature walks is definitely the best you can do. Considering how bad it is for you, I would also highly recommend Ashwagandha. It has pretty substantial evidence for lowering stress and cortisol levels and it has little to no side effects. Lmk if you want recommendations.

lots of self help books exist.

I like this one:
Unfu*k Yourself: Get out of your head and into your life. Author Gary John Bishop.
clown book
 

"She Liked You in March. It's October Now."

Attraction runs on a clock.

She flirted for weeks. Touched your arm. Found reasons to be alone with you. And you were careful. Respectful. Waiting for the right moment.

The moment had a shelf life. It expired around month two, and by the time you asked her out, she'd quietly filed you under "little brother."

One of the hardest lessons inside the 22 Rules: women rarely wait. Interest either grows or it decays, and nothing decays it faster than a man who never moves.

Make the move while she's still inventing reasons to be near you.

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saige

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I would also highly recommend Ashwagandha. It has pretty substantial evidence for lowering stress and cortisol levels and it has little to no side effects.
You beat me to it, I was going to mention ashwaganda too! It’s an amazing supplement for destress but OP please take care to cycle your dosage. Too much for too long and you might develop anhedonia/apathy, along with increased irritability.

Other supplements I take and recommend for stress: magnesium glycerinate, omega 3 fish oils (get wild sourced), magnesium, multivitamin, biotin, vitamin d and c. Emergen-c vitamin c packets have helped me survive the sick/cold season especially when other college students around me are coughing. Liquid IV hydration packets have been life changing. Spirulina powder and sliced ginger in my soups really helps with my energy. Take care to eat a healthy, varied diet with not many processed foods, trust me it makes a big difference :)
Also of course, exercise is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. I’ve rediscovered swimming and yoga which are amazing as they get you in flow states, but OP pick any activity that you’d like.

One of the most important to feel better in my opinion is daily social activities. I don’t care if you don’t have any friends or not many people close to you, you need to be in public and not isolate yourself for your sanity and wellbeing. Exposure to social environments really helps, IMO, the last thing to do is isolate, not see the sun, and basically do everything not on this list.

I hope this helps!
 

Travel memoir21

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Some Tips on getting rid of Stress:

- Live simply and be a minimalist - declutter your life and simplify it.

- Stop hanging out with Toxic people in your life

- Exercise and take daily walks around your park or neighborhood

- Meditation, Prayer and reading the scriptures

- Have a set of chores or task you can do around the house daily for divertion

- Have a hobby you enjoy

- Plan a trip an enjoyable trip somewhere on your time off
 

misua

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Great list, Travel. I especially felt the part about simplifying life and cutting out toxic people, those two alone made a huge difference for me. Daily walks have been my go-to lately too, just getting outside clears my head so much. Planning a trip is a solid idea too, even just having something to look forward to can really lift your mood. Appreciate you sharing this!
 

Vanderdonck

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Daily walking, running, shoot baskets, meditation, morning yoga, a new hobby. Anything to center your mind.
 

jhonny9546

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There's something that is affecting you that you've repressed. Once you've identified the issue, then write a plan to solve it and act it that. The stress won't go away until you have solved whatever problem is plaguing you.
Many of us have something that we have repressed: a relationship that involves too many sacrifices, a job that doesn't pay as much as you would like, a house that is too small, a friend who is too toxic.
There will be things that you can change, but some are "compromises"
 

"How I Made Sure No Woman Ever Friend-Zoned Me Again"

She calls you when her car breaks down. When she needs help moving. When some guy she's actually dating treats her badly.

You're the listener. The reliable one. The guy who would treat her so much better, if she'd just open her eyes.

She won't. You trained her to see you as the low-effort option — the friend who requires zero risk and zero investment. Every favor dug the hole deeper.

The "22 Rules" break the pattern. You'll stop auditioning for a role she already cast and become the man she chases instead. It starts with Rule 1.

Read more...

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