5 months ago I was a needy loser who thought I would never be able to attract another woman in my life. I was way overweight, didn't talk to anyone, did nothing with my life but work, school, video games, sleep. The girl who I was with for 3 years dumped me for another guy she had just met and told me to my face that I wasn't half the man he was. I hadn't made her happy for the last 2 years that we were together.

It cut deep. I have never felt more ashamed, more hurt, more embarrassed. For a brief moment, I thought there was nothing left. The last 8 years of my life had been filled with heartbreak and hardship on a personal and physical level. I will never forget the day. Something changed in me. But not because of her. That day, I had to look myself in the mirror through tears and ask what did I want to be? Did I want to just say that my failings were because of everyone else for the rest of my life?

5 months later I'm going to the gym 7 days a week (usually picking and choosing between lifting or boxing based on what sounds more fun/what my body feels). I'm saying yes to opportunities to go out more with friends. I'm making conversation with strangers just to see what's up with them. I'm smiling at people, making eye contact when we talk. I have such a busy schedule that I'm struggling to get an hour of video games in (and that is probably for the better). I'm not the same human being I was 5 months ago.

Oh, and the ex? Guy she went with told her she was just a piece of meat after 2 months and now she hits my line every few days to tell me how great I'm looking and that she misses me. She backed the wrong horse and had no belief in me. Even though she had no reason to, which I understand and in hindsight can't blame her for, she doesn't get to partake in my journey any longer. I'm the only one who believed in me.

One of the effects of becoming comfortable in my own skin was that I started to talk to the girls daily in my courses before and after. One of them, cute blonde who I had multiple subjects with but never spoken to in 3 years of being at university together, started really laughing at my remarks. I started chatting her up, and thought "Well, here goes nothing. Lets see if all I have read about game really works."

Mid conversation I said directly "We should go out for a drink sometime" I didn't feel the need to explain why, just threw the idea out there. No hesitation, she said yes. For context, this was Tuesday, we agreed to grab drinks Wednesday.

We had fun, and back at her place I escalated to the point of cuddling when I made a joke about her being able to lift me and said I would easily be able to pick her up and march her around. She said bullshit, so without hesitation I did so. We were having a good time and talking and then in a pause when our eyes locked and there was silence I went for the kiss. She backed away and still smiling and laughing I said "Oh sorry, you had something on your lips, I was just trying to get it off." Really stupid line, but she was red faced and giggling. I wasn't lying about my intent, technically. Went back to talking and I genuinely enjoyed our time. Hugged before I left even though I could see she was thinking I may try kiss attempt #2. I didn't.

In class the next day (Thursday), I talked to her like I normally would. I didn't make things awkward at all or even bring up the night before. After leaving class, went about the next 2 days with my life and didn't text her.

Last night (Saturday) I get a text around midnight "Whatchu doin?"

Brother, a lot more than a kiss went down.

The point is, I thought this was all bullshit. When I lurked here at first, I thought these were tall tales, works of fiction. I want to say after last night, and the last few months of leading a fulfilling life that I want for my current self, I believe in myself more than ever. I see outside of women how much I can accomplish in life if I am persistent with myself to do it. What I want to do is say thank you. The Seduction Reddit can be very grounding, humbling at times. It has helped me to see why things were going so poorly for me, and encouraged me to grow from the past. The positive ideas and suggestions from posts have kept me going in times of self-doubt. I don't think I would have had an amazing experience or the many more to come without this place. I'm so thankful I took the time to come here, learn, and really try to apply all I could.

To all of you, I'm grateful. I wouldn't have made the leaps in my social/dating life as fast as I did if it weren't for each and every one of you that contribute around here and really try to give guys like myself advice and techniques.

TLDR; my journey to being in a better place, finally closed and now I believe in game and myself more than ever