I am a straight man, but oftentimes wish I were a woman instead.

Throughout my life, I have suffered from anger issues, self esteem issues, depression, and anxiety. In college, I remember being envious of all the women and their friendships, which seemed much deeper and more connected than the artificial feeling male friendships. I found myself unable to make friends and unable to make connections with professors, which severely hampered my potential as a human. I know for a fact I would have been much stronger and more confident overall as a human being had I been born female. I don't want to do feminine things per se; I wish I could have just been my current self with my same traditionally masculine hobbies and interests, just in a female form. I often fantasize about being a woman when I self-pleasure, for instance. I don't get off to porn, but rather to still images of women being strong and confident; for example, walking a Red carpet in a fancy dress.

Being male has always felt like playing a character/performing a role. For instance, I have always felt deeply uncomfortable asking women out, even when I find them extremely attractive; I feel like a total creep whenever I think about doing it, and would prefer to be asked out instead, since it would confirm 100% that said woman was into me for sure.

Can any other men relate to this?