DogObsessedLi

You have largely described my experience so you are certainly not alone in this. It is normally why I find myself attempting relationships just so I can have that closer, more prioritised friendship at least with someone. It usually goes pear-shaped thought at some point. By the way my dog's called Brian :-)

Just to remind you about tomorrow :-)

Sunday 7th March 2021 7PM (GMT - UK time) meet.google.com/qum-mmnd-xkw Topic: aro activism

Just to let you know that I've set up a Facebook group for these videocalls as I'm aware that some people prefer Facebook. If you also know of anyone who would also be interested feel free to share the group with them, just let them know that there's security questions to answer before I admit members. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3585539994877768

I also think these are all good ideas. So maybe we go for aro activism for March's meeting and use the others for April or May etc? I was thinking of the weekend of Saturday 6th / Sunday 7th? Before I say the usual time of 7PM (UK time) on the Sunday is anyone quietly screaming, "not that time again, I can't do it!". At the moment the whole weekend is free so I'll leave it at that for now and schedule the exact time in a few days or so. Let me know, otherwise I'll stick to the same old time :-).

Yep, especially as friends often prioritise their romantic relationship above everything else. Bring back school "best mates" I say!

Just to remind you of Sunday's meet at 7PM (UK time) and the link @ meet.google.com/qum-mmnd-xkw The suggested topic is awareness and media in relation to aromanticism and such like.

A nice chat this evening :-). For those who are not able to make this time on a Sunday evening (I find it easier to organise in UK time but google tends to be quite helpful for time zone variations), are there any better times/days for you? I can't personally promise anything, but of course that doesn't prevent anyone else organising a different time without me if my UK-time limitations are difficult. I know many people aren't keen on such a responsibility, but it really isn't much to organise to be honest if it's something you are interested in doing? From my perspective, I'm planning on organising the next in February, probably in a month's time or so, at the same time on a Sunday evening. Though I am happy to do other evenings especially at the moment that I'm more flexible (the one silverlining to the pandemic). I was also considering next month's topic to be related to Aromantic Awareness Week and chat about awareness, media and such like. Maybe Sunday 14th February, 7PM (UK time) to tie in with Aro Awareness? It'll be the same link.

Romantic attraction is all about belonging and being completed by the person. The desire for them to be "all that you need" and be "all that they need". Wanting to have sex with them is sexual attraction. It certainly doesn't help matters when alloros-allosex mix the two though, so much heartache for me over the years has stemmed from that conflation by average society.

Here. And I aim for once a month but I can't commit to a set week or day of the month. Though it'll be roughly every 3 - 5 or so ISH weeks or there's abouts, at the moment Sunday evenings UK time (though that can be rearranged as a group as long as it isn't early hours (UK). I have checked the link to make sure it's still active (I had a problem recently with another Meet link I used), so it should be good to go tomorrow. It seems like the trick is for me to switch it on regularly to keep the link active!

Google Meet should work on your regular internet browser using the link provided. I know that the Google Mail app has a "join Meet" section also. I just use the regular browser though. See you tomorrow :-)

It's for all aros etc, so yeah sure :-)

@Elin WIt is January 10th and on Google Meet. I've just searched "time in Sweden" and it looks like you are an hour ahead of the UK, so it should be 8PM. Hopefully see you then :-)

I was wondering whether people wanted to discuss "aro relationships" as the topic for the next meet? Unless anyone would like to suggest anything else. I was looking at the shared Google Doc and thought that the whole topic regarding relationships might be a good discussion. Relationships Types of “aro” relationships Intersection with relationship anarchy Sexuality while aro (do people feel there is a connection between their aromanticism and sexuality, not all aros are ace -> how does this affect their sexuality (behavior/orientation)...) What do people think? Has everyone been able to access the Doc and been able to contribute if they wanted to? In other words, is it working properly? Have a lovely Xmas / Yule / Season and see you in January :-)

Just to let you know that I'm considering Sunday 10th January for the next meet, same time (7PM UK time), same link meet.google.com/qum-mmnd-xkw Would anyone like to suggest a topic for the meet - anything you would particularly like to discuss? @Erederynhas sent me a Google Doc with ideas, so in theory I should be able to share it with those who attended on Sunday, as soon as I've worked out how to do it that is. It'll also be a good backup for if this forum goes down again. But I just wanted to give you the date and time now just in case!

It did! I would post the link to the video here but I think there would be too many trigger warnings about it.

The latest one for me is that "I'm not allowing someone's love and affection because I have problems with my self esteem". Seriously, someone recently sent me a video about that thinking it would "help" me accept his love ?.

Yep, it just took me a while to post due to other stuff in my life.

Right, I was thinking Sunday 13th December, 7PM (UK time) meet.google.com/qum-mmnd-xkw Topic: Interests, Identifications and What Aromantism Means To You Questions to consider: What are you passionate about in life? What are your hobbies and interests? Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? How do you identify as? What does aromantism mean to you? These questions are for the virtual meet, there's no pressure to answer these questions exactly, but hopefully you get the general gist of the meet's topic. It might also be good to have a few minutes of feedback at the end to shape the following meet which'll be sometime in January. See you then! I'll try and remind you nearer the time.

OK, I might suggest a Saturday, maybe late afternoon UK time (possibly around 4pm), either that or a Saturday evening UK time (7 or 8pm for example). I'll double check calenders and get back with a more precise date. I agree with the introduction idea. Actually, any type of ice breaker to begin a meet is probably good. I personally haven't come across the podcast mentioned, but I'll see if I can look into it. We could also have meets where someone has suggested a book that they have enjoyed (ideally non-romantic!) and we can give people a month's notice and it can be the discussion theme for a set meet. If it has a subject related to the book, this could also be discussed just to make it accessible for those who haven't managed to read the book. I've noticed that there's a book related thread here ( ), and there might be other related threads. But I suggest the first meet to be more informal and relaxed, maybe based on the introduction theme and let the conversation develop.

OK, I'll look into that probably later this week. Maybe we can organise a day and time for December, and I'll contact TAAAP. If anyone has any suggestions for topics to focus on please mention them here. I've got a couple of busy days this week, but then I'll have a serious think about organising a date and time probably at the end of this week or so. Until then, any suggestions for topics, and availabilities including country/timezones. ?

Evenings on Eastern Standard Time might be difficult for me because I'm in the UK, so I think I'm 5 hours ahead of you (I always get a little bit confused about time zones but I generally get there!) Would a weekend be better do you think?

I don't know if anyone can tell you what's best to do because what's best probably depends on the individuals involved, that is you and your friend. Though if they are knowledgeable about QPP/QPR and aromantic stuff, and you've discussed other things with them as you've said, it sounds to me that you should be able to discuss it with them, especially if it's done in the correct way (maybe how you've discussed everything else). You are right though about romantics getting jealous. I was discussing it recently with a romantic ace I know and she described it as "emotional cheating". Though obviously not all romantics are that way, the romantics I work best with in relationships tend to be the ones more chilled out about romance and overall open to communication. I have tried a QPP with a romantic woman previously (she was homoromantic so it was different to what your situation is), but I don't feel qualified to use it in advice for you because it also failed for non-aro based reasons. What I do suspect though is that if you don't discuss it in some way with your friend, keeping it to yourself as it were, might have long term consequences for your emotional health. Maybe the solution is in how you approach talking about it. I hope you find a solution that suits you as really only you can decide what's best ultimately.

I was wondering whether people would be interested in a sort of regular aromantic-based online social on Google Meet or similar? Even without a pandemic, we seem to be too far apart for a dedicated aro-based social in person. So I thought about starting this thread to see who would be interested, and what time zones they are on, time availability etc etc. Maybe we could aim for once a month, even discuss pre-agreed topics, books, aro matters, general life, whatever people want from the socials really.

Further to today's government advice on avoiding all unnecessary social contact especially group gatherings, with a heavy heart I'm cancelling the meets until further notice. I apologise for any inconvenience caused by this and please know that we are here to support you virtually at any time, and I also strongly encourage the use of both the WhatsApp group and the Facebook group for aro and ace support during this time. If anyone would like a video group meet I'm more than happy to schedule that. As always, if you have any suggestions on ways we can virtually support each other please comment about it. This is due to the government advice of avoiding all unnecessary social group gatherings, which I'm sure you understand and I encourage everyone to abide by the best they are able. Hopefully we'll be back up and running soon, but I guess it'll be May at best. For further information: aroacesocial@yahoo.com www.aroacesocial.weebly.com Please stay safe and well, and as I said, if we can support each other virtually please contact us. Regards, Lianne