My aromantic life

What does aromantic mean?

First of all, aromantic is not the same word as aromatic, which is a mistake I've seen a bit too much. So what does aromantic mean? What does it entail to be an aromantic? Well, you've all probably heard about the big commonly known sexual/romantic orientations like heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual. Many have also probably heard about polysexual or pansexual. Some might even have heard about an know about the term asexual. Someone who doesn't experience sexual attraction. Well, aromantic is almost identical with just one very crucial difference. Asexual is a sexual orientation, as in who you want to have sex with. Aromantic is a romantic orientation, as in who you want to form a romantic relationship with. Simply put, and aromantic person is someone who doesn't experience romantic attraction

Unfortunately, things aren't as cut and dry as some might have liked. There are many terms spread across an entire spectrum that is placed under the umbrella term, aromantic. Therefore, I'll try my best to cover what I know, which hopefully should cover most of it. Some of these microlabels even experiences romantic attraction. Which has led to a wider definition of the term aromantic as someone who does not experience romantic attraction in a manner which is society considers "normal" Including, but not limited to no attraction.

Demi-romantic: People who only experiences romantic attraction if they have already developed an emotional bond, like a friend for example.

Grey-romantic: An umbrella term for people who is somewhere between alloromantic and typical aromantic. Includes people who rarely experience romantic attraction and/or unstable/brief attraction and/or loses/gains romantic attraction under specific circumstances. As you can guess, quite a big range of people.

Apothiromantic: Someone who is romance repulsed. They can get uncomfortable and/or be repulsed by romance in culture, around them or by trying romantic acts.

Aegoromantic: Someone who disassociates romantic attraction felt by others and by themselves. They don't feel romantic attraction, but can enjoy the idea of romance in third person. This is where I roughly fit in. For example, Your name is without a doubt, partially, a romance movie, yet it is still my favourite movie ever. I wouldn't want a romantic relationship at all, but I can still enjoy romance in media. (To a certain degree of course)

Lithoromantic: Someone who experiences or wishes for romantic attraction, but doesn't want the reciprocated. Often loosing that attraction if the feelings as reciprocated.

Cupioromantic: Someone who has desires for a romantic relationship, but doesn't experience any romantic attraction.

These are just a handful of the more common terms along the aromantic spectrum. There are still nuances that, as far as I know, isn't covered by any terms. Someone who just identifies as aromantic might still be different from someone who does the same. You have those are bored by romance, those who is neither positive nor negative towards romance (Also where I fall under). Then you have those who is positive towards romance, but doesn't desire a romantic relationship and doesn't experience any attraction. To put it simply, there is an incredible spectrum of differences with one uniting factor. We don't experience romantic love in the same way society would expect. That's not to say we don't feel love. Love for your family, friends and all other kinds of love are still kinds of love aromantic people experience. Romantic love just isn't one of them.

By the way, if you feel like I haven't covered something or you are curious, don't be afraid to ask. I'll answer any questions.

Next part: Coming out