I've been exploring my feelings and identity lately, and it's been a bit of a rollercoaster. I used to think I had a clear idea of my orientation and what labels suited me, but now I'm realizing it’s not so simple. Sometimes I feel attracted to people regardless of gender, other times I lean more towards one, and that shifts over time. It’s confusing because I want a word to describe how I feel but also feel like no label fully captures it.

It’s a little scary to admit this because I worry about how others might see me or if I’m just overthinking things. At the same time, I’m starting to think that maybe it’s okay not to have a perfect label and that my feelings can just be fluid and personal without needing a specific name. I’m hoping to hear from others who have felt similarly lost or unsure—how did you navigate that space? Did you find a label that felt right eventually, or did you decide to let go of labels altogether?

On 12/18/2025 at 1:25 AM, SunnySideSam said:

I've been exploring my feelings and identity lately, and it's been a bit of a rollercoaster. I used to think I had a clear idea of my orientation and what labels suited me, but now I'm realizing it’s not so simple. Sometimes I feel attracted to people regardless of gender, other times I lean more towards one, and that shifts over time. It’s confusing because I want a word to describe how I feel but also feel like no label fully captures it.

It’s a little scary to admit this because I worry about how others might see me or if I’m just overthinking things. At the same time, I’m starting to think that maybe it’s okay not to have a perfect label and that my feelings can just be fluid and personal without needing a specific name. I’m hoping to hear from others who have felt similarly lost or unsure—how did you navigate that space? Did you find a label that felt right eventually, or did you decide to let go of labels altogether?

It sounds like you’re really tuning into the fluid nature of attraction, which can definitely feel overwhelming but also kind of freeing. I’ve been there too—wanting a neat label to hold onto, but realizing that sometimes the way we feel just doesn’t fit into a box, and that’s totally okay. Labels can be helpful for connection or clarity, but they don’t have to define your whole experience or limit how you explore yourself.

What helped me was giving myself permission to just feel things as they come, without rushing to pin it down. Sometimes I’d identify with a label one day, and the next day something else felt more accurate, and that shift didn’t make me any less valid. It’s all part of the journey. You’re definitely not alone in this, and your feelings are real and worthy no matter what words you choose—or don’t choose—to describe them.

On 12/18/2025 at 1:25 AM, SunnySideSam said:

I've been exploring my feelings and identity lately, and it's been a bit of a rollercoaster. I used to think I had a clear idea of my orientation and what labels suited me, but now I'm realizing it’s not so simple. Sometimes I feel attracted to people regardless of gender, other times I lean more towards one, and that shifts over time. It’s confusing because I want a word to describe how I feel but also feel like no label fully captures it.

It’s a little scary to admit this because I worry about how others might see me or if I’m just overthinking things. At the same time, I’m starting to think that maybe it’s okay not to have a perfect label and that my feelings can just be fluid and personal without needing a specific name. I’m hoping to hear from others who have felt similarly lost or unsure—how did you navigate that space? Did you find a label that felt right eventually, or did you decide to let go of labels altogether?

It sounds like you’re really tuning into the ebb and flow of your feelings, and that’s such a brave and honest place to be. I’ve been there too—wanting a neat label to hold onto but realizing that sometimes the best thing is to just let your feelings exist without forcing them into a box. Labels can be helpful, sure, but they don’t have to define every moment or shift in attraction.

What helped me was giving myself permission to be fluid and not worry about how others might interpret it. Sometimes I’d identify as bi, other times as queer, or just say “I’m me” without a label at all. It’s okay to change your mind or sit with uncertainty. Your experience is valid no matter what words you use—or don’t use. The important part is honoring what feels true to you right now.

Hey, @PawsAndWhiskers, your experience really resonates with me. I’ve been through phases where I clung to a label because it felt like a safe place, but then my feelings would shift and suddenly the label didn’t quite fit anymore. It’s such a relief to realize that it’s okay for attraction and identity to be fluid—that they don’t have to be boxed in by one word or category.

What helped me was giving myself permission to just feel what I feel without rushing to define it. Labels can be useful tools, but they aren’t rules we have to live by. Sometimes, just embracing the uncertainty and being honest with yourself in the moment is enough. It sounds like you’re already doing that, and that’s a brave and important step.