How does anyone navigate dating when people can’t be honest?

[Bleedingheartbleedingnose]

Nced for this because I’ve posted before. But been seeing someone for six weeks, met them IRL, exchanged numbers etc. they were so keen to meet up (more so than me), very open, complimentary, enthusiastic, mentioned they were in therapy for relationship stuff but who doesn’t have baggage. On Friday after trying to arrange to meet up again told me that they would like to remain single - but we can still meet up to have a drink? Why the sudden change? (I feel like possibly quite avoidant and got scared but ???). Just feels impossible to navigate

You got your red flag on the first date. If anyone told me on a first meet they were in therapy for relationship stuff, I'd duck out for a few reasons and not try a 2nd.
TMI on a first date is not great and smaks of not being over the trauma and not being able to put it in the past yet. This showed that would be likely a head f**k for yoy going forward.
Now you know, avoid anyone who does this.

i think that is very true

I think you need to see that someone is calm and in control of their emotions. Anyone who is desperate to meet up, has past issues they need to vent about, is unpleasant about others, trying too hard to impress, or overly keen to move on to the next stage of the relationship, is probably going to bring you difficulties later. Someone who is open to ideas you have, happy to go at a steady pace, and comfortable in who they are and their past, is probably going to be more honest, and able to progress things to an enjoyable relationship.