If he is interested, you'll know.

[Donthaveausernameinmind]

So true and I don't know why it's taken me until now to realise this. I initiated the first meetup, he said yes. Prior to that, lots of messages from both of us, slightly flirty undertone but more just joking/banter. A day after the meetup, I hinted I'd love to see him the following week. Got the slow fade.
I chased him and truthfully should've let him ask me out if he'd been interested. On the date, he didn't flirt at all. We had good conversation but that was all it was.
I honestly think I'll let the man ask me out from now on, if he doesn't then I'll know.

He was from the gym. I think for him it was only ever friends and I misinterpreted.

I'd have to agree.

Yeah maybe you misinterpreted. It depends how you asked. I don’t think it’s anything to do with you asking him out though, he would have fancied you or not fancied you either way. Imagine if the person you come to fancy next had the same mindset, ‘oh I won’t ask her, I’ll wait until she asks’. Nobody would get anywhere!!

Just chalk it up to experience.

Prior to meeting outside of the gym he was keen on texting me, he texted me asking what my hobbies were etc.
However looking back none of the texts from him were flirty. It was sweet, like I was starting a new job and he texted the night before to say good luck. I really do think he just wanted a friend.

I started seeing him at the gym more often and we got on really well, I thought I'd be bold and ask him to meet up, he said yes that'd be great, let's arrange it over WhatsApp. I thought he was interested 😂

I hate slow fades, I think that was him thinking, oh shit, she thinks this is dating, I only wanted to be friends.

Oh well! At least it was only one date. Hope you have better luck next time.

You're right :) I'm almost laughing to myself because I don't think he even saw it as a date, whereas I did. I'll learn.

I think also being realistic of whether his type would go out with you or not. Yeah exceptions happen and personality matters more long term but be real with yourself.

We bonded in the gym as we liked all the same stuff, both teetotal, same age, sense of humour etc.
I didn't find him the most physically attractive but I guess I thought it'd be daft not to try because of how similar we were and I got butterflies around him.
Oh well, it's only a gym!

Well nothing ventured and all that! You had an opportunity, just go back to friends and chalk it up to experience

Absolutely :) might need a couple of weeks to get over it, but then hopefully we can be :)