I also would struggle a LOT with "dating" as it's done these days. I have only ever liked people I was friends with first and I can't really imagine being able to get to know someone well enough if I started dating a stranger (from a site or met irl) without them expecting things I wouldn't want to do unless I knew them for a long time first haha. So I really don't blame anyone that doesn't want to actively seek people to date in that way (if you do however, more power to you!). I've found that the best way to meet someone I have a potential future with is to do hobbies and get to know people as friends first. Whether that means chatting on online communities, playing a sport, going to the gym or playing card games at a store! Whatever it is, if you get out there and do something you enjoy then you're already meeting people who share that interest with you which is a great basis for a friendship. And if you're lucky you might meet someone special! I don't think I would ever date someone I wasn't friends with first.

Personally, I met my ex on PE2K about 10 years ago now (don't laugh ). I was about 17 iirc. We were friends for a couple years first and it was a good relationship overall, but after 5 years we were still living on opposite sides of the planet with no real plans to fix that, plus I grew up a lot in those 5 years and we just grew apart. I thought he was the one I would end up with for plenty of years, but since we broke up I have realised that for me it was more of a best friendship than anything else. We had a lot of good times, I learned heaps about what I want and what I can put up with (no more long distance!!!), and both of us visited parts of the world we might never have otherwise been to, so no regrets. :D

Quote Originally Posted by Chibi Altaria View Post
I used to be scared about admitting my feelings to someone (and it's still nerve wracking the more you like them, honestly), but at the end of the day you can sit around waiting for something to happen, being petrified, but you may as well just up and say something to get it over with. That's the quickest way to find out whether you have a chance with that person, or to move on and look for someone else if you desire. I've learned that life is far too short to worry so much about what others think of you, or to harbour a fear of being rejected. It happens, it sucks, but it's a part of life. Anyway, I think that the right person won't care about such trivial things.
I totally agree with everything you've said in this thread! And I find this in particular incredibly impressive! I've never been able to admit feelings to anyone but that is a wonderful attitude to have!