How do you cope with the fear of being single forever?

[faithinthemoon]

I never used to care much about dating, then I met my first girlfriend and wow, I've never been so happy in my life. Then she broke up with me.

It's been a while since we broke up, but all I can think about is how much better and happier life would be if I was in a relationship. I'm 23 and the thought of spending the entire rest of my life alone is just terrifying.

Fill your time with meaningful things so you don't have time to wallow in negative thoughts. And remember, it is way more lonely being in a relationship with the wrong person than it is being single. I think feelings such as these are very normal OP, it's just part of being a social creature. How long ago was the break up?

Just get on with life, you are still young.

Don't rely on somebody else to make you happy. That's a surefire way to long term unhappiness.

You are 23!!!!!
You have years ahead of you before you need to worry about that. Concentrate on your career and your interests, it’ll happen.

Psssh.

No offence but you have to be happy by yourself before getting into a relationship. Else you’ll depend on your girlfriend for all your happiness and that’s not fair on her. Work on your self esteem and things will naturally fall into place with your next relationship

23!!!! At that age you are not on the last partner of your life! I met my 1st husband at 28 had a child at 34 divorced at 36! Met next long term partner at 39 had 2nd child at 41 still together at 47. Relax enjoy your life, the right person comes along for a while, but how long they stay, and you're both compatible for who knows.

23 is so young. Allow yourself to be happy alone first.

To be honest after my ex then a mummy’s boy for about 3 months I thought I’d rather be on my own than another crap relationship funny after that met dh been married 13 years.

@throwaway10000 @burglarbettybaby I used to be happy alone, but then I met her and I just can't imagine being happy single ever again. Honestly I never used to understand people who hated being single because I was perfectly happy single, but now that I know what romantic love feels like I just don't know how people live without it or how I'm meant to.

@IJustWantSomeBees we broke up in June

I know 23 is young in the grand scheme of life and finding partners, but it doesn't make it any less scary.

At 23 I promise you it's not forever. Make some memories for your later years

You need to learn to be happy single again. Which is easy to say I know. I became single again a year ago and still miss him everyday.
You've been happily single before. You can be happily single again. And when you are, then you'll be ready to meet someone new.

You're still in the midst of the breakup grief, it sounds like. Things will get better.
Keep yourself busy, your mind occupied and your social life full (once it's possible to have a social life again!) and things will get better and you'll meet more people- hopefully fall in love again. You have time on your side

It's not a fear, darling. After the last bloke, the thought of being single for life is a vision of heaven.

I hope to come out as lesbian.

I do understand what you mean. Keep reminding yourself that statistically it's highly unlikely you'll be single for life.

You could take the time to work on yourself so you're even more awesome (if that's possible) the next time you're seeing someone.

@mummyof2lou I hope you're right! It just feels very hard to believe right now.

It's definitely hard to stay busy/keep my mind busy with the lack of things we can do with covid

I was in your place at the same age. I thought my world had ended. Had to sell our house, move back home and start all over again. I look back now and am so glad of the adventures I've had since.

Must be hard in lockdown, but start making plans, write down things you want to do, places to go, things to learn. Start researching them, so after lockdown you have something to look forward to.

This too shall pass...

You have the best years of your life to find a meaningful and fulfilling relationship. It is perfectly possible to have a wonderful life without a partner, of course, but you are far from the stage that you need to be contemplating lifelong singledom.

Breakups suck whatever age you are. But time is on your side.