this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2024
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For better or worse. Small scale or large. Personal or shared. What is an event you've experienced that changed the way you act, live, feel, etc. It could be short-term or long. Share what you feel comfortable with. Triumphs and tragedies alike.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

When I was 6 years old, an older kid pressured me into smoking a cigarette. I didn't get sick or anything. I just didn't like it and decided one was enough. Never knew the best decision of my life would be made at that age.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

I dig this, six year olds are way more self-aware than I think a lot of folks know they are. Which is why I believe transfolks when they say the knew their gender around that age (4-6). When I was six I was forced to kiss a guy and like...I don't know anyone out here kissing guys period - but most def was not my bag. And then just a year later I had my first crush, and it was on this freakin' absolutely enamoring soccer player who seemed to have all the answers to life (even though she as like...a year older than me). But yeah, spoiler there, she was a gal. Eh, I don't think someone forcing me to kiss a boy turned me gay, but I def think my gay ass didn't want to kiss a boy =P!

Also I had a friend who told me they'd run around all over Spain and smoke cigarettes that people tossed down to be macho. And then I saw on Vice those poor Indonesian kids throwing down on smokes. Broke my heart. So yeah, while we are more self-aware than I think people recognize there's still very clearly a small mind that needs help being shaped and formed =P