u/KeyKrakenMike

I’m 36m and recently met a lovely woman (30f) through a hobby. For some background, it’s pretty rare that I like anyone, the last time I had a crush on anyone was like 3 years ago. Anyway I was struck by how beautiful she was pretty much immediately. Over the coming weeks/months I got to know her, got her number and we started texting pretty frequently. We have an incredible amount in common, both passionate about public transit, both read and loved murderbot diaries for example. There’s some light flirting, and I work up the courage to ask her to dinner. She politely declines, and we remain friends.

I get it, I have to move on, but fuck. I’m 36, I’m so tired of this. I just want to find someone that’s as excited about me as I am about them. It’s just so frustrating because she

was someone I could absolutely see trying to build a future with.

Anyway I’m typing this in my work parking lot on a break, emotionally exhausted and exasperated. I meet new women all the time, albeit through work. Most are far too young or are married, but even if they weren’t I also don’t want to risk my job over pursuing them. I’m just incredibly frustrated. What am I supposed to do? I’ve tried the apps, but I live in a tourist city so 90+% of who I see on there are tourists, so they’re kind of worthless.

This is extra frustrating because I’m the most put together I’ve ever been in life, good solid job, I’m going to the gym 3x a week, good friends, and having a ton of fun outside of dating, have tons of hobbies but this one area just really sucks. Legitimately I’m starting to wonder if dating is worth the time. I just don’t know what to do.