[norea-armozel]

I guess I count myself lucky in that I never bothered to look for anyone, not even in the context of casual sex. For me, people are such a complicated topic that I'd rather share my time with a cat than another human being. It's not to say that I don't enjoy the time I do share with my friend (yes, I literally just have one friend) but I can't see myself having anything but a friend or two in my life. I may be setting myself up for a lonely life in my later years but I've lived this way since college (never had much in the way of friends during my k-12 years). And honestly, I'd rather be lonely than miserable. I can always make a friend, but I can't unmake bad memories of a failed relationship/marriage.

[nostrebored]

The fact that nobody has responded to you concerns me. I'd much rather have a failed relationship with fond memories (which all but the worst of relationships will have) and personal growth (which every relationship will encourage given that you have the right outlook going in).

You're setting up a huge false dichotomy here. The choices aren't lonely or miserable, there's a huge spectrum, and you might feel those feelings at discreet points, but overall just developing the level of closeness that you do with another person in a prolonged relationship can help you see the beauty of the world and the people in it again.

From one previously lonely guy to another, I really hope you give it a chance.