What does it feel like to have wanderlust?

What does it feel like to be a woman...not just physically, but at the emotional/psychosocial level too?

• Hi everyone! Awkward question I know, but...we're all among friends here, right? :) I was wondering if any of the lady-folk out there would be able to help me understand...well, what it FEELS like to be female? I know it's difficult without a common point of reference, but if you could just hazard a guess about some of the experiences that might feel markedly different. For one thing: do you think the experience of emotions is different, i.e. that they feel more powerful when you're a woman? Or do you think that's more about upbringing, that women are traditionally encouraged to be more expressive about their feelings? In public, do you think women feel more...I hate to use the word 'vulnerable', but would you say that as a female you always have an underlying sense of feeling that men are 'eyeing' you, or could potentially make advances on or even threaten you just because they're generally larger and physically more powerful? If so, how do you cope with that feeling when you're out alone? Does the feeling often exist right alongside enjoying the attention men give you a bit, or does the attention actually get old pretty quick? Also, on a side note - is it true that when you dress up, it's generally more to look good compared with other women that to look attractive to men? Or is it more just a way to feel good about yourself? Even in this day and age, do you still worry that you won't be looked up to as in business and the like, or taken seriously because you're a woman? If so, how do you deal with that? Women tend to be much more gifted at communication and relating to people...do you think that's inherent, or do you develop these skills partly for that reason? Lastly...yeah, I AM curious about the physical feelings that are different too. BUT ONLY ANSWER THIS PART OF THE QUESTION IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE! I tend to be very open talking about these things, but I realize many people prefer not to be - which is certainly understandable! So, the part...er, 'down there'. When you're not aroused, do you feel anything at all there? Or is it pretty much unnoticeable most of the time? Can it...move? (Yeah yeah, I'm a virgin - go ahead and laugh!) Now breasts...is the best metaphor that they really just feel like, well, lumps of fat stuck on your chest? Or are there additional feelings there that men may not realize? they're a bit more sensitive/tender than the rest of the torso, right? DO they feel uncomfortable or painful most of the time, just walking around? Do they limit certain activities - for example, does it make it uncomfortable to run, jump, or lay on your stomach? If so...was it strange to have a new hassle to deal with like that when you first grew them? What about socially - do you really feel like men are going to look at them everywhere you go (which I'd imagine could get frustrating)...or is that not as bad as some people say? Or do you just sort of get used to that? How about periods? Do they feel like a bad stomach flu or gas pains, or more like just mild/intermittent cramping? Are emotions stronger then, or is that mainly just because you're tired/sore? Can birth control pills effectively eliminate the discomfort? Lastly...what would you say are the best things a MALE can keep in mind, to make females feel more comfortable when talking to/interacting with them? Thanks so much, everyone!! :)

• Answer:

  I can't say about emotions, as I've never been a man so I can't know. I believe we probably feel emotions similarly but that men are conditioned to express anger and hide tears while women are conditioned to hide anger and express tears. I am sometimes aware of being stared at by men, if I'm alone somewhere with few people it can be scary, otherwise I just try to ignore it. it does get tiring after a while. If I'm out wanting to socialise and trying to look nice I appreciate it, but otherwise I just ignore it and get on with my day. Dressing up can be for women or for men, or both. Fashion trends are more for other women, looking sexy is more for men. If i'm single I might sometimes dress for men, but if I'm taken I just dress to look nice. I do sometimes worry I won't be taken seriously as a woman, it has happened before where men have shown they thought that way. I may be atypical in that I feel i'm not great at communicating, I was shy when i was young. When you're not aroused yo u don't notice your bits, unless you get a camel toe (feels like a wedgie) or something. Breasts just feel like a lump, it's only the nipples that are more sensitive, but if you're wearing a bra you don't feel anything against them. they can feel painful during some parts of the menstrual cycle and can be more sensitive then. jogging without a bra is uncomfortable, lying on your front can feel bad. i dont' notice mine getting stares but mine aren't that large. only if i'm showing cleavage, which is rare. period cramps feel.. similar to stomach cramps, less sudden and sharp, more like a dull aching at first that builds up and for me can get extremely painful, to the point I can't do anything and pop painkillers, holding a hot water bottle attempting to sooth it. i do feel more frustrated and like things i could normally handle will make me 'on edge' more. Periods seem gross at first but you get used to it and it just becomes part of your routine to deal with it. they're annoying because they can interrupt things in your life. Men can keep in mind.. well, they can try not to make assumptions about how a woman feels or why she does things. they can remember that each woman is an individual and wants different things, avoid stereotypes. they can be understanding about periods and female health stuff - just accept what she says about it and don't assume she's exagerating. They should be respectful and realise that what a woman is comfortable with them changes depending on how long she's known him - women need some time to trust a man and need some proof he's respectful.