This is a well established point, but I wanted to share a story that illustrates it.

When I was in my 20s, I was seen as hot shit. I had a physics degree and was going to California to study Arabic, then to graduate school for political science for a couple years. I exercised, was relatively muscular, and dressed well. I was also confrontational and kind of an asshole. I worked hard on that image because I was so ashamed of myself growing up and how people made fun of me at home and out of the house.

The girlfriend I had at the time was the sexiest girl I'd ever seen, and we'd hook up sometimes 4-6 times in a day. It was incredible. I ended up leaving her because she wouldn't stop being what Bill Burr says is a psycho robot.

Fast forward four years. I'd dug myself in a hole from porn addiction, chosen to leave my government career because I'm making insane decisions thinking I'm some sort of missionary pilgrim. I'm whiny, looking for validation, and a sex addict. I think to myself, "this girl was my bottom bitch before and worshipped the ground I trod. I'll call her back up." We hooked up. She was depressed because the last guy she dated dumped her (after me).

I made the mistake of telling her how shitty my life was. Then, I made the really shitty mistake of trying to get her to sympathize with me, by telling her my 'story' and how I was trying to get through some shit I hadn't resolved from the past (and present obviously).

Girl completely lost respect for me THAT night. Her tone was so different. I thought she'd understand what had happened to me and would have pity. No. She understood. She understood that I was not the guy she thought I was, and go fucking figure, dumped my ass in a month. We had been engaged.

I had a hard life in childhood being born to a psychotic mother. I won't get into it, but I've found another way (Jesus) when I go with it. Still, for many many years I tried to have women mother me in order to provide things I hadn't received from my mother like validation, comfort, safety, pity, understanding, and the other motherly virtues. But when a mother won't give you that, you don't go looking for it in women your own age.

I learned the hard way.