Aegoromantic (also sometimes called autochorisromantic) is a romantic orientation on the aromantic spectrum. It describes someone who experiences a disconnect between themselves and the object of their romantic feelings or fantasies.
Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:
Experiences Romantic Attraction in Third Person: Aegoromantic individuals may enjoy romantic themes, stories, movies, or even have romantic fantasies, but these feelings and scenarios feel separate from their own identity and lived experiences. It's like observing romance from the outside rather than feeling it directed towards or experienced by themselves.
Disconnect from Real-Life Application: While they can recognise and understand romantic attraction in others or in fiction, they typically do not desire to act on or reciprocate romantic feelings in real-life relationships. The idea of being in a romantic relationship with someone may feel unappealing or unrelated to the romantic concepts they enjoy.
Romantic Fantasies Without Desire for Participation: An aegoromantic person might have vivid romantic fantasies about specific people, but they have no actual desire to be in a romantic relationship with those individuals in reality. The fantasy is enjoyable on its own, separate from any real-world implications.
Falls Under the Aromantic Spectrum: Because there is a significant disconnect from experiencing or desiring romantic relationships personally, aegoromantic falls under the broader aromantic (aro) spectrum, which encompasses individuals who experience little to no romantic attraction.
Aegoromantic vs. Similar Terms:
Aromantic: Aromantic is the broader term for experiencing little to no romantic attraction. Aegoromantic is a specific subset of aromanticism characterised by the disconnect described above.
Cupioromantic: Cupioromantic individuals are aromantic but still desire a romantic relationship. Aegoromantic individuals generally do not have this desire for a real-life romantic connection, even if they enjoy romantic concepts.
Lithromantic (Akoiromantic): Lithromantic individuals experience romantic attraction but do not want it reciprocated. The attraction may also fade upon reciprocation. While there can be overlap in the sense of a disconnect from real-life romance, aegoromantic specifically highlights the third-person experience of romantic feelings or fantasies.
In essence, aegoromantic describes someone who can appreciate or even enjoy romantic concepts and fantasies but feels a fundamental disconnect from applying those feelings or desires to themselves or real-life relationships. They can engage with romance as an observer without wanting to be a participant.
