Can someone knock some sense into me?

[Hundredthtimelucky]

I met someone a month ago through a mutual friend and we have been talking constantly since.
We didn’t start speaking with the intention of it becoming romantic, he was actually helping with my house renovations after my friend recommended him but he would text me every evening and we’ve slowly got to know each other after having strong chemistry the first day.
We get on really well and I have never felt so comfortable around a man before.
I have been a single mum for 10 years and planned to keep it that way as I do fall in love very quickly and get hurt, which isn’t fair on my daughter.
He has thrown a spanner in the works now because I can’t stop thinking about him and fantasising about us being a couple.
He has made it clear he likes me as much as I like him, but neither of us have outright said the words. The excitement of having a man’s attention after 9 years is just making me want ‘more’ quicker than is acceptable.
The work will be finished this week so there won’t be a reason for him to turn up every day, and I’m now worried he’ll stop talking to me and my daydreams will fade into nothing.
I know it sounds very immature and teen like considering I’m 33, but I guess it has outlined the fact I am lonely and that I’ve enjoyed our constant chats and seeing each other. He took hours to reply to a text which is the first time that’s happened since speaking and I basically freaked out assuming he’d blocked me. He hadn’t, he was with friends, but I feel so stupid and realise I need to protect myself from letting it consume me and risk being clingy, desperate etc.
Please be kind I know it’s an over reaction and in a month it’s impossible to really know someone, but I have no clue how to ‘play’ the dating scene or how to behave. I was with my daughters dad for a year and he walked out on me, I started a fwb situation with a colleague who ghosted me and I was really hurt. I’ve never dated or had other relationships before or since because I know it will happen again.
Can anyone give me tips on how to ‘behave’ and stop these panic feelings that he’ll hurt me etc and just enjoy it for what it is?

You are overthinking, you should see any interactions with men as an an interesting sideline to your main life. A relationship should enhance the life you have, rather than take over it. It actually makes you less attractive to others to be overbearing.
As a single mum, you definitely should keep your main focus on that. The overenthusiastic reaction you are having, is likely because it's been a long time, coupled with general inexperience.
You do have some experience with your DC's dad to draw on, which should teach you that men can come and go, but other things in life are constants.
Do you know he's single for a start? Then it's a case of "step away from the phone". Don't carry your phone around with you when getting on with daily tasks, you can catch up later. Fill your head with other things so you are not dwelling on him.
Live in the now, don't dream of a future, don't even consider the future yet.
When the work comes to an end, if he doesn't ask about meeting again, you could try asking him, the only way to find out if he's interested is to risk rejection, unless he comes up with it first.

I'll probably get roasted for saying this, but I would urge caution in getting too invested in a flirtation with your tradesman. I know not every tradesman is a 'fuckboy' but there are many who enjoy casually flirting with/sleeping with their customers. Not just tradesman in fact, many men in general. Just don't get too over invested. Enjoy it for what it is.

Thank you both. I know there’s a chance he’s stringing me along, part of me just doesn’t want to think of that because I know I’ll be really hurt if this stopped. I invest too much too quick and get really attached to people, I know it’s not a normal way to act but I find it hard to keep it ‘cool’ incase they lose interest or I get ghosted again. I have no idea what happens in a relationship anymore, I wouldn’t even say it counted with my daughters dad as he spent most of his time at the pub. I know I have quite an empty life in general, apart from my daughter and working I haven’t got much going on so it’s a welcome distraction in a way. I guess the bigger issue is that I don’t respect myself and I’m willing to put myself out there for love and I know that’s not ok. I preferred being alone to avoid all of this but now he’s in my head I’m just scared of how it will end, which I’m sure it will at some point. My friend knows him very well and I trust her, he’s definitely single and a genuine person, yet I always see the risks, downsides and negatives unfortunately.

Just chill out more and let it unfold naturally, if you worry everytime he doesn't message you quick enough, he will pick up on it, just be in a better mind set, if he likes you as much then I'm sure he'll carry on wanting to speak to you, it wouldn't hurt to ask him out for a drink after he's finished the works? He may even ask you first!
Just don't come across as desperate or needy as that's very unattractive.

I always think it's best to get to know each other slowly rather rushing into anything, you really like him but still hold up some defences, get to know what he's like as a person, make sure he has time for you and don't get carried away if he gets sexual too soon, hold back on that to see if he's genuinely interested in you.

Thank you

OP,
You sound lovely.

The thing is if you don't calm down and get a grip and hold it together the big loser will be your daughter.

You clearly are a great mum doing her best for her daughter so you really don't want that.

So keep thinking about how you want to protect your daughter from drama etc.and let that help guide your behaviour.

Drama, upset and tears will be awful for your daughter so protect her from it.

He's only a man.
That's all.

Your daughter's need for stability and calm must come first.

See how things go.

Goid luck with it.

Your self awareness is good, you can catch yourself. Your anxious which is fine.
Let him do the chasing. If he asks you out and/or keeps texting you then you know he’s keen.
The fact he took hours to respond, which made you anxious is good in a way as it’s letting you know what your boundaries are.

So one of your boundaries are that you don’t want left dangling all day. He was with friends which is fine but if he starts to ignore your texts for a full day, or fades away or becomes distant then that’s a deal breaker for you and that’s totally okay!
Figure out some of your other boundaries and stick to them, so you can pick up on red flags and choose not to ignore him.
You like him and your worried he’s going to ghost you or not like you enough. Remember your the damn prize, put yourself on the pedestal and remember how you want to be treated.
If he meets your standards then great, if not then move on it’s fine!
Dating is about testing to see if you think he’s good enough, not getting him to like you.

Just remember all that and see where it goes. Be happy.

I think you should take the bull by the horns and speak to him. You can simply ask if he'll keep in touch after the work is done.

You're sure he's single and also you're fairly sure he likes you at least to some extent so I say nothing ventured nothing gained.
It's quite normal for your mind to get carried away - and also it sounds like you've been hurt in the past so understandably you're worried that might happen again - also very normal.
You don't have to jump in with two feet straight away - just see if he's keen to keep chatting to start with and take it from there. Don't play games. If he's genuinely keen you'll soon know as he'll keep making an effort.