what do you mean when you say that how you label yourself is 100% up to you? I mean, if you have feeling of sexual attraction, your not asexual, just like if youre a guy and are sexually attracted to women, then youre not gay. You could be bisexual or pansexual, but not gay. (btw if your point was that aromantic and asexual are different things then, whoops my bad)
Alright, I've seen a lot of confusion about this topic in the past so I'm just going to make quick comprehensive guide on labels:
Rule One: You can label your sexuality/gender any way you want. Any way. Your label is decided by you.
Sub rule to rule one: if anyone tries to decide your label for you, they have labeled themselves as a trashcan. I suggest not being friends with trashcans.
Rule two: Your label can change. Anytime. All the time. Whenever. It's yours to decide (see rule one).
It's ok if it takes you twenty years to figure it out (it took me 19!). It's ok if you decide one thing and realize a year later you were wrong. IT'S OK.
Rule three: Don't let anyone tell you that your are incorrect.
So you're a dude, and you like other dudes, but you also liked a girl once. Or seven times. Or more. Do you want to label yourself as gay? Guess you're gay then. Huh. That was easy. Same with being straight. Same with being asexual. Huh. That was easy.
Rule Four: Respect other people's decisions.
Does someone want you to use female pronouns for them? Use them. Does someone say they are asexual and really want you to stop trying to set them up with your friends? Ok, stop.Â
Ta-da! That was easy! If you are still confused, refer yourself back to rule four- always respect the decisions of those around you. It does't matter if you agree with them; at the end of the day, it's their life, their sexuality, their gender, not yours.