I've (32M) been single for about 6 months now since my last girlfriend left me after 5 years together. She told me that she was never attracted to me at all and that it was time to break up. But then why did she date me? It's not like we were hiding our relationship either. I met her parents, she met mine, we went out all over the place to theme parks and the beach. The break up still hurts as I thought she'd be the one but I guess I was the only one that thought we'd have something more permanent.

I quit my job and stayed isolated after our break up because it felt like I was blindsided by it. We had just gone to a concert a couple weeks prior. I've been focused on working on myself. I got a new job, started going to the gym to lose some of the depression weight I gained, and I got the courage to try and get back into dating. I don't have dating apps as those haven't worked for me in the past and friends have told me they have little success for them as well. I turned to Reddit after a year or so of just lurking and joined a few subs. It's been a couple weeks and my success has been very very small. I've never done any of this Reddit stuff and it makes me nervous to send chat requests basically selling myself in hopes to catch some stranger's attention. I knew I wasn't going to get flooded with replies as other guys are doing the same thing I am, but I feel like maybe I'm just not good enough.

Not going to give up hope, but the light at the end of the tunnel is slowly starting to dim. Just wish dating wasn't so hard for those like me who prefer a more casual setting than a bar or a club. There's no social anxiety, I can start a convelrsdarion with just about anyone about any topic and have it go on for a while. My job had me interact with so many different kinds of people that I had to overcome any social anxiety had as a kid. It just feels like there's no room for me in someone else's life. A puzzle piece that doesn't fit into any puzzle.

I'm a well-mannered and understanding guy, respect boundaries, respectful to everyone around me. Not asking for much either, just someone to share quality time and hobbies with. Yea I like video games and anime, but I don't prioritize those over my partner. I might want to be a shut-in but I've made the effort to go out and genuinely have a good time. There's so much I want to do, but I don't want to go alone. I'll appreciate any advice and words of encouragement. I'll keep trying but I just want that best friend and romantic partner, that feeling of happiness from getting a notification from my favorite person. Talking about and sharing things I'm interested in as well as exploring the interests of my partner. But what I want most, is for this lingering feeling of loneliness and sadness I feel and carry with me. It hurts knowing that I had someone who made all these emotions and feelings go away, and it hurts even more that that same person made them come back.