The idea of a romantic attraction, while I don’t judge others romantic attraction; I hadn’t always been directly attached to romantic dates. As I was beginning to discover myself, I went from deciding on being a demi-sexual, to then realizing I was more of an aromantic type. I had been made fun at for not going on dates, but not everyone was arophobic towards me and meet some nice and accepting people, after coming out as aromantic publicly.
This came on my feed randomly and I have to ask: Why do you categorize yourself like this? Not wanting romantic relationships is perfectly normal and a valid way of living, even if it isn’t the norm. If someone gives you shit for being the way you are, that’s the perfect sign that you shouldn’t have that person in your life, no matter who it is.
You say, “Why do you categorize yourself like this? Not wanting romantic relationships is perfectly normal and a valid way of living, even if it isn’t the norm.”
The identity, aromantic is one way to describe this so people know what to expect. Similarly to other similar identities, labels in general. In short, it just informs people of a trait.
Why do you ask, why do I categorize myself like this? Even as you said this is valid feeling. Just want some clarification on that perspective.
From my own perspective I find it strange to make a trait like that an identity. In my environment people tend to mind their own business and consequently no one cares if other people date or not. I don’t know what your circumstance is though, I’m not trying to invalidate your experience.
It just describes how that person is feeling internally about their identity, while making it easier, simpler for others to know who there are just from the term. It’s a way of expression. Just how, lets say, asexual where you don’t tend to have sexual feelings towards others. Instead of having to explain it purely every single time you meat someone, that that is how you are, or feel, you can just point to that term to explain it quickly, getting your self out therre more efficiently.
While that’s probably not the only reason to identify ones self like that, or in any way they may identify really,it is a productive reason to do so. Saves time and effort, which can can go into other things.