(Dec. 24, 2016 12:34 AM)Suzaku-X Wrote: [ -> ]I'm sorry to make this long.
It is my time to leave. Life's stress has taken it's toll on me, and I've been pressured to give Beyblade up. If you have any suggestions for "manly or smart hobbies", tell me. I'll still be on the site occasionally, but I'm doing this to be a man. I'm sorry, and I hope to see my friends in life again soon. Who knows, maybe this was my step to getting real friends. I've snapped out of the delusion that is Anime/Manga, and am returning to the real world.
Sayonara, all of you. Till we meet again.
Hey Suzaku-X, I couldn't help but feel compelled to reach out about this. I've seen other posts like this on the site recently, and as someone who has enjoyed Beyblade from 14 to 28 years old, it's truly disappointing to see adults so stubborn, and to cause very serious pain over nothing.
I've never had to deal with autism, nor do I know what your situation at home is like. I have definitely felt pressures like this from my family when I was younger, and I also spent much of my childhood and teenage years alone. All I can say is ... it gets better, seriously. You are clearly really intelligent and introspective, so I hope you won't throw that away to make other people happy, even if they are your family.
While things like anime and manga, games — and yes, even Beyblade! — can become unhealthy forms of escape, they can also totally be a healthy part of anyone's life. While I was definitely mocked by my family and my peers for being
really into Beyblade, ultimately, it allowed me meet incredible people, move to a city I love and even build my career. And now I've been able to return to the WBO, too. You never know what can come of investing your energy into something you love. If nothing else, it will teach you skills that can be universally applicable.
Most of the adults — friends, co-workers — I know think Beyblade is pretty cool and are consistently impressed by what we do here at the WBO. And of course, it is enjoyed by countless children, teenagers, and adults worldwide already. Don't let other people's unwillingness to try and understand you make you think that there's something wrong with you or what you enjoy. It's their issue.
I can't tell you what to do with your life, and I think you should really talk to someone at your school or another adult you trust about this. Don't worry about stuff like being "manly"; it's made-up nonsense meant to turn you into someone you're not, someone that
someone else wants you to be. Being "manly" will not help you lead a balanced and fulfilling or happy life. It's clear that you consider this a betrayal of yourself, and it will hurt you to follow through on this.