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The original was posted on /r/exmormon by /u/BananaLana02 on 2024-04-09 23:58:42.

I left the church as soon as I became an adult, but I lost my faith much earlier. That being said I had the classic Mormon upbringing: ctr rings, baptism, seminary, girls camp, church basketball, youth conference, trek, EFY, all the works…

Navigating life outside of the church especially as a young adult has been tricky. For one thing 90% of the people I grew up with are already married with kids and I’m only 22. That’s one thing I love about not being in the church is that I feel like I can relax and enjoy spending time with myself. I can be selfish and enjoy my youth -not having to worry about all of those responsibilities. That being said I definitely have some issues stemming from my lds life.

Growing up they separated guys and girls. Girls went to young women and boys to young men. Even at school I felt more comfortable around girls because at church (I was there seven times a week if you include seminary) I never had any interactions with the guys. I got asked out twice in school and both times my mom wouldn’t let me go because I wasn’t sixteen yet.

As an adult this made me super inexperienced when I first started dating, and now I’m super uncomfortable around men. I have no idea how to talk to them, and I just generally don’t like being around them.

Please don’t get me wrong! I love men! Just from a distance. The problem is entirely personal, and I work every day to overcome it a little more. Anyone else have troubles with the opposite sex in church or afterwards? Or is this just a me thing?