I’ve found myself completely stepping back from dating and dating apps recently.

At 31, I just feel like I'm not in a position to be putting myself out there right now.

Currently, I’m out of a job, money is tight, and I’m living back with my parents while I try to get things sorted out.

At this age, the societal expectation to have your life together feels huge. Between the cost of going out and the constant anxiety/insecurity when asked simple questions like "So, what do you do for work?" or "Do you live alone?", I’ve lost all motivation to date. It feels unfair to bring someone else into my current situation, and my self-esteem has taken a real hit.

I keep telling myself I need to focus 100% on getting a stable job and moving back out before I even think about romantic relationships again. But hitting 31 while pressing pause on my love life can feel pretty isolating and daunting.

Has anyone else been in this exact position in their 30s? Did you completely pause dating until you hit your goals, or did you keep trying anyway? How did you deal with the hit to your confidence?

I’m sure this is something that has been posted before time and time again, but I’m genuinely confused by how much content I see on the internet that says coffee dates are a bad first date idea. I think it’s genuinely perfect. Why in the world would you want to be in a restaurant with someone you have more than likely never met before? I believe the only exception is if the date is with someone you know who you have been pursuing for a while. What are your thoughts?

I (30 F) confessed that I have feelings for this guy (28M). I can’t get him out of my head and have this desire to spend all my free time with him and it was sort of driving me crazy to not have clarity. I noticed a few subtle signs he might like me even before the confession because I would always catch him staring at me constantly from across the room, and would go out of his way to take care of me in a group (ie specifically carrying all my bags or fetching a blanket for me if we were all on a couch).

The main issue was that apparently he told our mutual friend that he saw things as just friendship when she noticed a vibe between us and asked him (albeit a few weeks ago). With the confession, in the moment, he also didn’t share with me how he was feeling about things but I think I caught him way off guard.

But in the few days after the confession things started feeling different , like he would initiate more texts asking me if I was going to a specific event, he would respond more quickly than before. We dance salsa together and he also asked me for a lot more dances and danced a lot more intimately.

The other issue is now I had a planned trip and literally left the country for a week after the confession. He is still initiating texts on my trip which wouldn’t have happened before, and even initiated a time to FaceTime while I’m gone.

I do think I need to ask eventually where he’s at but I am getting a sense that he feels unsure based on how this is playing out. I think the 2 approaches would be 1) ask directly how he feels and risk rejection and potentially losing a close friend for my own clarity 2) let it play out naturally now that he knows my feelings and let his actions indicate how he feels. And would you do this when back from traveling or over the phone?

I’m sure this has been vented about a million times on here, but I (M26) got out of a 5 year relationship back in May and have been trying to put myself back out there.

Naturally, the easiest place to start was Tinder and Hinge. I’ve actually been getting a decent amount of matches, but turning those matches into an actual date has been a nightmare. Just in the last week I’ve been ghosted or had plans canceled last minute by 3 different matches.

I understand people get cold feet and nobody owes me a date, but I’m realizing I really don’t like the gamified feeling of dating apps. I’d much rather meet someone, have a good conversation, ask her out, and see where it goes.

I see women I’m attracted to out in normal everyday places all the time, like the grocery store, restaurants, coffee shops, whatever, but walking up to someone in a completely random setting still feels kind of intrusive to me. I never know if I’m supposed to just go for it or leave people alone.

For people around my age who got off the apps, where are you actually meeting women in real life? I’m not looking for some pickup artist strategy. I just want to date normally.

Hello everyone, looking for a bit of advice, particularly from people who have been in a similar situation.

I've been seeing a girl I met on a dating app. We've been on our first date, and we've arranged a second date for this Friday. She actually suggested the day herself, and she's seemed enthusiastic about the plans. I've got a little surprise planned based on one of her interests, and she's said she's looking forward to it.

The thing I'm unsure about is how to handle the gap between dates.

We text fairly regularly, but our conversations aren't always long. Sometimes we have a bit of playful banter, talk about our interests, and ask each other about our days, but sometimes the conversation naturally comes to an end. I don't want to force conversation just for the sake of it, but I also don't want things to go quiet for several days and risk losing momentum.

I think part of it is that I'm still getting used to dating again, so I might be overthinking how much texting is actually necessary. I want to show that I'm interested without coming across as needy or feeling like I have to constantly come up with something funny or interesting to say.

For those of you who have been dating successfully, how do you approach texting between dates?

Is it better to keep conversations going, or let them end naturally and pick things up later? Also, am I overthinking this, and is the fact that we've already arranged another date enough to relax a little?

I'd appreciate honest advice. I'm not looking for games or tactics to make someone interested, just trying to find a healthy balance between showing interest and giving each other space.

Cheers✌️

I've been talking to this guy and he's really cute and I think we're attracted to each other physically. He made a flirty comment and to that, I said "I like it when you want me" and he said "have you seen yourself" but now I feel like I'm at a dead-end and I don't know how to reply to this. I was gonna say "hope you can handle all this 🤗" but does this sound attractive? I feel like it sounds high-maintenance LOL. Any suggestions?

I always see devotees getting dragged or being called disgusting for having a disability fetish/kink. So I would like to give an unpopular perspective: I (29F, chronic wheelchair user) personally would completely be open to dating or being intimate with a devotee (ofc if I’m attracted to them).

Disability fetish is just like any other fetish so I don’t get why it needs to be shamed. Like men who call themselves “ass guys” or “tits guys” do not receive this type of hate.

Disability and wheelchairs have such a negative connotation in all of society and media. We are hardly ever represented as attractive or desirable, and in fact, constantly reminded by ableism that our situation is undesirable. And dating with a visible disability is hard af!!!

So yes I like devotees because they make me feel attractive and desirable. If you’re not into it, that’s totally fine, but do not be a hater to those that are and quit bullying devotees.

And for people who say “they only like your disability not you”, I disagree because I see it the same way as someone having any other type such as only liking brunettes, blondes, or certain other physical features.
The disability IS a part of me so if they like my disability that means they are liking a huge part of me and what percolates every area of my life. No it does not make me feel objectified. No it is not ableist to me.

And for folks who claim devotees are dangerous, I say they are not more dangerous than someone who is not a devotee. That’s just a stereotype.

I (25m) met this girl a few years ago, we actually really hit it off, it felt great. However she was dating someone already, (and he is kinda famous). I met him at the same time and did not like him one bit, not for lack of trying, I did really look up to him.

Fast forward to 3 months ago, I break up with my girlfriend of 1.5 years, and this girl breaks up with her partner around the same time.

So we are now both single! However, she lives on the other side of the country, and our only form of communication has been instagram.

She has been the one to reach out the most, and it has surprised me a bit. We have had days where we talk all day, but it doesn’t feel pressured to talk all the time. It seems like we are both playing it really safe, but both enjoy talking to each other. We are both freshly single so it makes sense. It’s just hard for me want to pursue her because I don’t plan on moving there and would never expect her to move here.

It also feels a little silly posting on instagram because I feel like I am always thinking of what she will think about everything I post, it’s weird. I have a big following and talk to a lot of people, but she is really the only person I look forward to talking to.

It all feels a little silly though, there is always a risk we aren’t actually compatible, and I am scared of investing so much time over text talking to her. I am also scared of losing her interest if I don’t talk to her. I would like to visit soon and see if there is any spark. The whole thing feels very silly.

Anyone ever get in a similar situation?

I(f26)'ve always thought that I was asexual until I've broken up with my last bf and started thinking about my sexuality more.

I've understood that I do feel sexual attraction just towards people that are usually not interested in me at all. I'm a bit nerdy and autistic (hope I don't sound like a cliche) and I usually had matches with the same type of men. And they tend to not care about their looks, most of them are overweight or lack personal hygiene (not to over generalize but like 9 out of 10 guys with similar interests as me share these features) I'm the opposite and looking attractive is highly important for me, I keep my figure, always style my hair, very particular about my clothes, do make up and is hyper focused on my hygiene.

I used to think "well I'm asexual so it's OK that I don't feel any type of physical attraction to this guy, but he seems nice, so I should talk to him" and then I'd end up dreading the idea of having sex.

I stopped doing that and matched with a guy that I found really hot, but now I feel like an annoying little weasel, bothering him. We met after work and I thought we clicked pretty well, he asked me to go out on the weekend again, and then he told me that he's busy. He apologized and we rescheduled meeting but still I feel like he's not one bit interested in me.

Most of my matches now are the guys trying to have sex with me, or situations like that, when I have to carry the whole conversation and the guy isn't even pretending to be interested in talking.

I guess the guys I like are out of my league and I won't be repeating the "give a chance to a guy who you don't find attractive" mistake, so until the fate will bring someone my way I'll be single

Sorry for rumbling I was just thinking about that a lot.

P. S.

Yes I can see the irony in the fact that I'm "the unattractive person they are giving a chance" now :)

So this is a bit of a weird dilemma for me and idk if I'm just venting or looking for advice. In 2020 my fiancé died. In 2023 I met and fell in love with a man with ASPD who was going through divorce and maybe mid life crisis. Either way the 3 years we were together were very difficult and painful for me. In the end I didn't really have any other choice but to leave for survival despite still loving him, albeit feeling as though he'd never loved me. At one point I oeft, moved to another state for 5 months but came back. We ended it for good around late May or early June. I haven't been the least bit interested in dating since. Recently though I have been entertaining the idea but it comes on waves. Some days I'm devastated my life keeps getting derailed when I feel like I've finally found my person. Mind you, I'm 39. I was married for 10 years and have been divorced 10 years. I'm over the online scene, hookup bs. I just want peace and someone I can trust and share my life with. Some days I still cry and get depressed and miss my ex, and of course my late fiance'. Some days I want to go out and try dating. The problem is idk if I'm ready and I don't want to be that person that's on the fence but I don't want to sit here and be sad forever either. Idk. That's it. That's all I've got lol.

Edit: I guess I should explain that after losing Chris in 2020 I thought I'd never love again. Then when I fell for my ex, I fell so hard only to find out it was a toxic situation of love bombing and masking as can be typical with ASPD. However, I didn't want to lost someone I loved again so I stayed way to long hoping it was just a phase or bc of this or that. That the man I met in the beginning would return.

So now I'm soshell shocked and confused and unsure of anything, especially myself. I never felt this way before. I always knew more or less what I wanted or didn't want at any given time.

Now I have no idea.

I’ve been hurt so much by men by whole life, that it feels impossible to be at peace in relationships. My brain makes me feel things so deeply, even a word said wrong or a shift in energy I notice it. It’s really hard to talk myself down from my overthinking and my brain thinks the worst, sometimes I don’t know how to rationalise the situation and calm myself. I hate being like this but I know it’s because of how badly I’ve been hurt before. My bf also sometimes goes silent after an argument which tears me apart further. We always do make up though. I’ve been hurt by a lot of guys before so I have this thought that I am always going to get betrayed in the end or end up not feeling enough.

I feel as though sometimes because I’ve been hurt so much I can’t even enjoy relationship because I feel like it’s fake or that they will eventually hurt me

TLDR: tips for self regulating/ managing relationship ocd after bad experiences

I am a passionate consumer of True Crime/ and related content. Consequently, it has me out here wondering how the heck can anyone be trusted these days? Even your own family members or people you have known for years can turn out to not be who you thought they were. 

And yes i know the adage, "meet in a public place" and all the basic stranger danger tips. My point is, one you get past maybe the 2-3 month mark and you guys are an item/ maybe even going exclusive you still dont truly know them. You know what they are showing you.

I dont know. 

Perhaps this is something i need to work out through therapy. However, how can you truly trust a random man you know nothing about from these dating sites? You know nothing of their criminal past. You have no information about them other than probably a first name, so no background checks. You could be going out with a complete con-artist or even somebody with dangerous intentions for you further down the line and you would never know. You could be eating ice cream with the next Jeffrey Dahmer. 

I digress.

I am by nature an overthinker, and adding trust issues into the mix, It is making dating very difficult for me. I want to find a way to be more comfortable and taking a chance without worrying of these things, but there is always a chance it seems no matter how good a person seems.

I’m a 45M who’s been out of the dating scene for quite a while, and I’ve been considering giving speed dating a try.

On one hand, it seems like a great way to meet people without dealing with dating apps. On the other hand, I can’t help but wonder if I’m just finding a more efficient way to get rejected.

Instead of spreading the disappointment over six months, I could knock it all out in 20 minutes and still have the rest of my evening free.

Has anyone actually had success with speed dating, especially in their 40s? Is it worth trying, or am I just signing up for rejection with better time management?

Something I've noticed about myself recently is that my closest female friends are already in relationships, while I tend to become shy and or avoidant around women in our friend group who are single. I've always struggled with insecurity and intimacy in my relationships and friendships, especially in dating. It often takes me a long time to warm up to people in general, but this is especially true with women. Despite this, some of my best friends are women who I met while they were already exclusive or I got closer to them after they became exclusive. I think this is because I feel less anxiety about my dating anxiety when dating is out of the question. if that makes sense? I feel like I am good at making friends and getting along with people, but I'm very insecure about my own emotions or coming off weird when I find myself interested in someone even slightly. And then I become avoidant which isnt healthy. It's easier for me to make friends with other men, and women who I know wouldnt have any interest in me because I know I dont have to confront my own feelings. Ultimately I want to become better in all my relationships, meet new people, and hopefully someday start dating when I'm ready. But I really struggle accepting and being seen having feelings for other people. I would like to know if anyone has similar experiences or could offer advice. Thank you!

I 23M have been single for over a year. I had some relationships through highschool and college. Since then it’s been hard to socialize and meet women. I’ve used the dating apps for quite a while and honestly got tired of the humiliation. I’m a 6’5 guy who wears glasses and has a beard. I try to have good hygiene, I workout (despite still looking slimmer with some stomach fat), and I have my finances in order.

Growing up my dream has simply been to be a husband and father. I consider myself a romantic because I truly enjoy the idea of love. I enjoy learning about someone’s interests, hardships, insecurities, and everything else about them. I want to connect with a woman on a deep level and simply love her.

Being single and seeing friends get married feels isolating. I know when people get married soon kids come then bam I’m out of their lives pretty much. I understand this is just the nature of things. I feel so undesired and like something is wrong with me.

I try to have a positive attitude but I’m honestly not a confident man. I feel insecure about my looks, humor, personality, etc. I also try to not let dating be my life’s purpose but it’s simply something I crave.

I crave sex again, love, cuddling, emotions, connecting, etc. I wish to be desired and told I’m important. I wish to truly connect with someone who loves the little parts of me and who makes a good effort. I’m trying to simply cope with my loneliness or feelings of envy. I often wonder why I’m experiencing this.

Emotions is something that have felt complicated to me a lot. I wish to feel safe to be emotionally vulnerable. It’s been used against me in relationships. I do miss being vulnerable with someone and them simply loving me and my heart. I enjoy gift giving, supporting, encouraging, and simply serving a partner.

I just wish I could have love in my life.

I genuinely want to offer some advice to men struggling with dating apps, especially those looking for hookups or casual relationships. I constantly hear how women have impossible standards, only want tall, rich, attractive men, and how difficult it is for the average guy to get laid. And look, I get it. Dating apps can be brutal for men. Getting matches is difficult, women can be picky, and plenty have their own terrible dating app habits. But my dudes, some of you are shooting yourselves in the foot most of the time.

For context, I’m married and it’s been open since the start. I love my husband. I’m not looking for another one, a boyfriend, a provider, or a father for my nonexistent children. Ideally, I’d love a friend with benefits to see once or twice a month. But at this point? I’m just trying to get laid. I’m not asking about your career, income, car, or relationship potential.. I just want someone clean, honest, sexually responsible, reasonably pleasant, and capable of holding a fun conversation. THAT’S IT. And somehow it’s like searching for a fucking unicorn.

So here’s some advice.
1. Stop lying about stupid things. Height, age, appearance. Just stop. I don’t care if you’re short, bald, chubby, or awkward. I’m attracted to all sorts of people, and I’m hardly alone. If you’re 5’6”, say so. I might happily sleep with the honest 5’6” guy, but absolutely not the guy claiming to be 5’11”. You don’t have to appeal to everyone. Just the people who actually like YOU. Lying only sabotages that.

1. Fill out your profile. I’m not asking for an autobiography. Tell me something about yourself! Hobbies, interests, weird passions, anything. I genuinely believe most people have something interesting about them. If you can’t put five minutes into a profile, why would I assume you’ll put effort into getting to know me or making sure we both enjoy ourselves?

2. Take a decent picture. Not professionally photographed. Not model-hot. Just clean, reasonably well-lit, and actually representative of you. Enough with the blurry car selfies, dead fish, guns, and dirty bathroom mirrors. Show a little personality. You don’t need to be gorgeous, just approachable.

3. Communicate like an adult. I survived T9 texting. I understand shorthand, but we have full keyboards now. I’m not expecting Shakespeare or perfect grammar. Just some effort. And please say hello before describing everything you want to do to my body. I like sex. I’m actively looking for sex. You don’t need to convince me that sex exists. Just establish that you can hold a conversation before discussing what goes where.

4. Make an actual plan. My profile literally suggests coffee... not a fancy dinner or some elaborate date. Just somewhere public to chat, see if there’s chemistry, and decide if we want to go further. “Hey, want to grab coffee Saturday at [blank]?” Beautiful. Ten out of ten. No notes.

5. Be an adult about sexual health. If I ask when you were last tested for STIs, it’s not a trick question. Haven’t been tested recently? Fine. Be willing to get tested. Talk about protection, boundaries, and consent without getting defensive. If you can’t communicate about sex, you probably shouldn’t be having it.

6. You don’t even need to be confident. Just be genuine. It’s okay to be nervous, awkward, or terrible at flirting. Vulnerability can be incredibly attractive. I’d much rather meet someone slightly awkward but genuine than someone pretending to be an exaggerated version of what he thinks women want. Be curious. Be kind. Be yourself. There are women who love short guys, dad bods, bald men, nerds, introverts, and everything in between. Women who enjoy casual sex and don’t care about your income or social status. We’re not mythical creatures. We’re just people.

I’m looking for a fun night with someone whose company I enjoy, where we both feel safe, wanted, and have a good time. I know plenty of women, particularly in open or poly relationships or just enjoying casual dating, who want the same. Yet I constantly hear that women ask for too much.

I genuinely believe most people have something interesting or attractive about them. You don’t need to reinvent yourself, become rich, get ripped, or pretend to be someone else. You don’t even need to be everyone’s type. Just be honest, put in a little effort, and remember that casual sex still involves another human being. You might be surprised how far that gets you.

A few years ago , living in Canada, I had a few (great) dates with someone but times were complicated and it didn’t work out. Every once in a while we texted (I initiated it) for a few months after that but we never met again. Again, things in our lives were complicated. I moved away from the province and country but couldn’t stop thinking about him and now that I’ll be back I thought maybe I’d reach out if he fancied a coffee and chat. Do you think it’s creepy that years after we last talked I’d still reach out? No idea what his relationship status is, and I’m not sure if I wanted anything romantic anyway. We had the best conversations as in so many levels we were very similar and understood what it was like to be in each other’s shoes going through the same life events. If someone from your past had fond memories of you and reached out would you be freaked out or would it rather feel nice? By the way I don’t have his number and the only way to reach out would be looking him up on social media.

For me there's always only been "dating" or "friends". Dating is a romantic relationship and friends is a platonic relationship. But I read about people talking about all of these different stages. I'd like to know what stages you use, what they mean, and what the value in defining different stages is?

One thing I do understand is exclusive vs poly, where in exclusive you'll date just the one person and poly you can date others. But others I don't understand, For example, some people say "talking stage", which sometimes seems like a lie since they also mention doing more than just talking, it sounds like there is romantic activity, and spend time together, so I'd call it dating. But then I also hear about just the word "relationship" like that means something different (you have some sort of relationship with everybody you know); I hear "official", but officially what?; I hear "committed", but committed to what (a lot of people don't even actually commit in marriage and still divorce)? I hear "we're now girlfriend/boyfriend" but what actually changed?

I guess technically marriage is a stage too, but that one I get what the difference is, the people have legally bound themselves and/or bound themselves before God to be together forever (though some people clearly lie about that too!)

So I've heard terms like that used, but never clearly stated any difference between what any of those mean, it all sounds like what I call dating. Is there value in all of these other words?

I was seeing a guy for four months and we ended things because he doesn’t think the distance would work between us. We were just seeing each other casually and it wasn’t like serious. But we are mature enough to have a conversation about Better, we think the distance would work. I said it would have both people think so but given how he was pulling back because of the distance, I asked him if he doesn’t think so and he confirmed that he think it’s not right to continue. And we had we had an emotional and clean goodbye, but I left the door open. No, I can’t stop thinking whether he change his mind as I told him if things change or he changes his mind let me know

It is no one's fault. It is just a brutal realisation. No woman wants to be with a man that has had no relationship experience, to not have to teach or lead me through things, because it is abnormal for a man to have absolutely no experience of dating or affection whatsoever.

I have failed as a man when it comes to trying to date. I am just not good enough and not worthy of love. It does not matter what work I've put in or how much time I've invested. It is all for nothing. When even my own mother has softly suggested I won't find love and it is best to continue to focus on my hobbies - it is just further reinforcement that I will die alone.

Im 23 which is quite young to come to this conclusion but i feel like its accurate though. Dating apps are a cesspool and ive had no luck on them for 7 years of using them. Idk if they are just bad now or they arent my style but im so tired of swiping for days, getting a match then getting randomly ghosted for no reason.

This just leaves me with meeting people out and about in person which feels even harder. Im in a small town with not much to do and ive tried meetup but it is either broken or nobody uses it arround here. There are a few bars but going to those to meet women to date feels creepy and weird. The only places i go are to a few stores and that feels wrong to go there to find dates too. Im really not sure where to go to meet people thats approperate and not super far away. I dont think i can move away, cities scare and stress me out plus moving is risky and expensive.

I just cant see myself meeting someone im compatable with and overcoming the huge task of starting and maintaining a relationship with them.

I’m 19F, he’s 21M. So I went on a date with a guy a month ago; we met on a dating app, talked for around 2 and a half weeks before we decided to meet in person. The vibes were good, it was nice talking to him but he was really touchy. I got really excited by his advances and we kissed and dry-humped in his car’s backseat (which I regretted after). I told him I wasn’t interested in fucking around and I wanted to date, and I want a long term relationship. He said he wants one too (but he isn’t acting like it)

That’s the context, we haven’t been on a second date in a month because of clashing schedules and he keeps cancelling. We usually stay on call and sleep on call since we don’t get much time together, but last week he got really sexual so I indulged and we had phone sex. The next day, our conversation barely lasted 20 minutes before he went off to bed. The day after that it happened again, and finally, yesterday it happened again. I hinted that I didn’t want to, but he was very short with me after. Kept sighing, sounded annoyed and didn’t keep up conversation. I panicked, and I ended up going along with it to please him. (It was his birthday and I didn’t want to be the reason it ended in an awkward note).

And in our calls, he ends up compliment bombing a lot. I love yapping so I’m usually the one who talks in the call, but he never really responds or engages with me. He just says “you’re so cute”, “you’re so adorable” but he never really comments on WHAT I have to say. And this has gone for so long that I try to rope him in by asking questions and I ask “what’re you thinking about/what’s on your mind” and he says something flirty or sexual and then we go down that road again. Anytime I try to talk about our relationship like when we’ll meet for our next date/if he’s serious about it and wants to ask me out, he says “we’ll see”??? Which is confusing because I’m communicating my end, but he isn’t so I don’t know what to do. On top of that, he said something along the lines of “I was so horny today and someone hit on me but I had to turn them down” which sounded weird because he hasn’t even asked me out 😭 and he hasn’t even expressed that he wants me to be his girlfriend.

I’m so confused on where to go from here because I try to confront him and he just shuts me out, yet I feel it’s disrespectful to just block him if he doesn’t know why. It feels like this “relationship” (for the lack of a better word) is just a sexual one because there’s minimal romantic advances from him. We don’t have any fun conversations because I’m yapping and he just compliments me, he has nothing to SAY. But then he gets super chatty when it comes to dirty talk. I like him, but I don’t like where this is going. I really want this to work out, but I don’t know how to be honest with him and ensure he takes me seriously. And I don’t really know what signs to look out for that tell me he is NOT worth it.

This is also my first ever relationship, so I have no idea what I’m doing. I know communication is important but how do I communicate if he’s agreeing and then shutting me down 😭😭😭

Please please help me out, I’m appreciate of any and all advice because I don’t have anyone to talk to about this and it’s been eating me up. Thank you guys so much 💗💗💗

So I 30F had a huge crush on this guy from my salsa dance class (28M). Over the last few months we developed a really strong emotional bond and started hanging out a lot more outside of class.

We talk on the phone and text almost every day, and tell each other everything about our lives. He is very thoughtful and will always carry my bags for me or give me his blanket if I’m cold and we’re hanging out in a group. When we go to salsa socials we’ll routinely dance 5-6 songs together. I just developed a really strong emotional attachment with him which then became these pretty deep romantic feelings.

The only issue is that I could never tell whether we were just really close friends or if he ever felt the same way romantically. He doesn’t date much (although he is single and really trying to put himself out there). He is not the most straightforward with women and it’s hard to read him as platonic vs romantic.

This feeling of uncertainty was killing me inside so I ended up asking to meet him at a cafe before a dance social to finally confess my feelings and get closure.

At the cafe we proceed to talk for an hour but I am too awkward and shy to bring it up. As we’re paying and leaving for the social I finally muster the courage to start the story that would inevitably lead to my confession. Unfortunately the confession part came at the worst possible moment right when we walked into the dance social which was in a room of 60-70 people and loud music. Somehow I still got the words out that “I had caught feelings”. He looks surprised and smiles then says nothing for a minute besides “ohhhh…”. Finally he asks “how do you feel now?” and for some reason I reply with “Oh, I’ll be fine.” because I didn’t want to pressure him to feel the need to reject me or say how he feels if he‘s not ready to. From there he sort of ends the conversation there and asks to dance.

He never really acknowledged or mentioned anything about how he felt about anything. However, we did 7 dances together (the most I’ve ever done with anyone in a night) including the last song which is usually the most special. I felt the dances were way closer and more intimate and I sort of even felt him being aroused at the end. I dropped him off at his house after the dancing and my confession remained unacknowledged.

I am feeling a lot of peace about him finally knowing how I feel now. But I somehow still feel in limbo. I want to give him space to let me know how he feels without the pressure of asking explicitly. Because I know if he doesn’t feel the same way he will feel really bad rejecting me. Or maybe he’s unsure about certain things romantically.

The closure I wanted to feel from my confession somehow feels even more uncertain now. So what would you do next??