Getting in my head too much

Being a creep is more behaviour related instead of age related. You simply cannot choose who you are attracted to, but you can choose to be responsible, open, honest and sensible when trying to build a romantic bond with someone. As long as you do not resort to stalking, manipulation, grooming, etc, you are not a creep.

I'm not much one to give advice on this page, but this stood out to me. I feel like I look back a lot at myself and the "rules" I've made for myself growing up, saying I'd never do this or that, or that I have to do this or that. Then, being older now, I worry about betraying those rules I made at a younger age. But at the same time, some of those rules were very limiting. And I think a lot of us worry about breaking those rules or ideas out of fear of being hypocritical. There's this song though that I like that has a line that says, "I'd rather be a hypocrite than to be the same person my entire life." And to me it's something I've learned to agree with. I'd rather be a hypocrite, and grow and change, rather than be the "same person" who has the rigid ideas and rules that have been made up at a younger age. An age where you haven't experienced much life yet and don't know what's out there. For a long time there, I tried being the "same person," follow the same blueprints that I wrote up at a young age, and I feel like I've found that it's mostly held me back from progressing, and what I want most. Nowadays, I just accept the fact that I might be a hypocrite, but that's what I need to accept in order to grow, change, and progress. So I'd suggest, if you can, just accepting the idea that you might be a hypocrite, and don't let it hold you back.

Please don’t worry. You’re both adults and in your 20’s. I have things from my past around sexual trauma when I was on my teens, (younger yet quite big kid jumping on my knee and me getting aroused - then liking that feeling) it makes me very sensitive now to kids sitting in my knee which is sad because I have a niece and nephew that I love very much and I find it hard to show affection. Your OCD is just attacking you. Your not doing anything wrong try not to overthink it (if only we could do that 😅)

I'm 19. My boyfriend is 28. I was the one who approached him about a relationship. We've been together for six months, (and were friends for a brief time before that). Throughout all of it he's been a supportive and wonderful significant other. In my opinion, relationships with noticeable age differences receive a lot of unfair judgement. Even if the older individual's romantic history shows no evidence of exploitation or a persistent interest in younger partners, some people will still feel the need to judge. As for myself, I've been on the receiving end of one too many statements that were more polite versions of "you are a female under the age of twenty five so why don't you let a real adult tell you how to think." While most of these criticisms are both unasked for and unfounded, it’s important to note that relationships with noticeable age gaps still have all of the typical challenges of an ordinary romantic union, as well as some additional subtle difficulties. For instance, young adults are often still undergoing a process of self-determination that begins in adolescence; they may not have a strong sense of who they are yet, and that can make it difficult for them to behave assertively toward those who are older than them and may have more resources (financial, etc.), life experience, and societal power. I’ve experienced a bit of this myself. If there is a young adult in the relationship, it’s ultimately their responsibility to actively participate in the union; they are an adult, after all. However, there are things you can do to make that process easier for them. Be sure to communicate with your boyfriend/girlfriend. Ask them questions. What makes them happy? How are they feeling right now? What do they want to do today? Encourage them to be a vocal and equal participant in the relationship. Communication is key in any partnership; in relationships between people who are at different stages in life, it is especially beneficial.

Also have a friend who’s 25 and dating a 21 year old and she was 24 and he was 20 when they started sleeping together and I don’t even judge her

Wow you guys really just made so much sense I feel better but I know I just have to sit with it cuz ocd loves to just attack things