Context: I recently started dating again after a two year relationship ended. I spent some time working on myself, and getting educated on attachment styles. I discovered I fell into the "anxious attachment" camp, and learned all kinds of great coping strategies to carry with me when I would date again.

With a renewed sense of courage and confidence, I went out with this girl recently and we had a great time. We spent hours just walking around town, joking around, flirting, really getting vulnerable talking about our past, etc. It ended with a very sweet, ten minute long hug and a wholesome kiss goodnight. It was perfect. She texted soon after, said she had a great time and couldn't wait to see me again.

... But then, we the next day rolled around, ol anxious attachment reared it's head. She didn't read my text in the morning. It sat unopened. For hours and hours. I tried to not overthink. Not worry or wonder. By 10pm, I said 'fuck it' and sent a follow-up text. I asked if she wanted to grab Mexican food later that week, said I couldn't wait to see her.

Then, BAM. She instantly writes and says something to the effect of, "I had a WONDERFUL time with you yesterday. But thinking on it, I don't see us long term. You didn't do anything wrong. It was missing something for me."

I was (and remain) crushed. Because, for me, it felt like something. And now I'm left with the sense of, well, how can I tell for next time if my feelings about how well a date went are genuine? How can I trust my " radar" that someone's into me if something like that happened? You know what I mean? How can I let myself get excited about someone and dating again if I have to be fearful of that happened after every first date?