34M here who stopped seeking a partner a long time ago. Was focused on improving myself and my own life after my engement fell through. Got a new job that I love, moved to a different state to be closer to friends, I have a nice apetment, ect. Everything couldn't be better for me by just about every metric. And I while I'm definitely over my ex, when it comes to this latest crush, I can't get over her.

We met at work over a year ago, she quit and moved across the country but we stayed in touch and flew out to see each other just to hang as friends once or twice. But I've had deep feelings for this girl since I met her and didn't think that would ever happen to me again. (She's 29) We tell each other how we love each one another but she uses that same language with all her friends regardless of gender. Though I definitely mean it when I saw it to her... A couple days ago I finally got the courage to open up about my feelings towards her and was shut down hard. I'm hoping we can still stay as friends, but that's up in the air now as well it seems. I know I really should have at least attemped to have casual relationships before I let myself get so attached to someone new, but I did. And now I desperately want to shake this urge to have a partner in my life again. But I don't know how. I really dislike the dating apps thing. I do live by a major city and could probably meet someone if I put a lot of energy into it. But I just want to be able to be comfortable being alone again.