positive hot takes only meme: masculinity, your art, romance
Masculinity: I really like being masculine, even if I’m a ‘man’ badly on purpose. I like the feeling of quiet strength, of capability, of being able to be protective and sturdy and calm when it’s required. I’ve carried grown men on my back for decent distances multiple times over the last couple of weeks, and it’s made me feel more settled into myself, like I can trust myself more. And I love it in other people, too. I love feeling protected, I love the feeling of meeting someone else’s strength, and I love finding new ways of understanding my own through understanding how others express their masculinity.
My art: I’m gonna tell a story for this one. I was in a figure drawing class, and the teacher was concerned we weren’t getting into the physical act of drawing enough. So he hands us a handful of pens each, says to hold them in our fists, not take our eyes off the model, and just draw, pressing as hard as we could. So I did. Moments later, my page tears. I don’t stop. Another page tears. I don’t stop. The teacher calls time. “Everyone EXCEPT [Bastian], press harder. [Bastian]? Good job, keep it up.” I can do a mean painting, and when I want, my work can convey a solid emotional weight. I’m proud of where I am with it.
Romance: Honestly? Fucking love that shit. Purely, whole-heartedly, I love hearing stories of how other people love each other, and I love getting to experience new ways of loving people for everyone I date. I really like being the partner that puts more of an effort in, that learns the other person’s favourite food and makes it, and writes them poetry, and paints about how they make me feel. There’s infinite ways of being and infinite ways for another person to relate to me and I’m greedy with it, I just want to fall in love with everyone in every way I can.