I (21/M) live in central europ and i have very mixed feelings about dating.
So i have 3 main Questions i would like to just get out:
1. Where schould you go if you want to meet new people?
I have the impression that there are almost no places where you could get to know someone on a more than just platonic level. It seems natural to me not to approach someone in broad daylight, but from my experience it also doesn’t seem to be the norm to approach someone in nightclubs or bars (anymore?). Most people i got to know either through school/university or through Hobby-activities (mainly dancing for the last 5 years in my case). However, these relationships were always purely platonic, although I would often have liked to make more of it. Which brings me to my 2nd Question.
2. Why could it be, that i’m always becomeing friends with someone, but never more?
When i meet new people i normaly have absolutely no problem making friends with them, but that’s it. I’ve never been in a relationship, and only been on a date once 6 years ago. Nevertheless, i’m often told that i’m a really nice and helpful person and that i’m an important friend. Also i’ve heard more than once that i’m a big-brother/vather figure to someone. Especially older (10-20 years older than me) people tell me, that i’m really friendly and that i should pls stay the way i am. However at this point i’m realy not sure how to feel about these complements as they don’t seem to fit my dating experience…
3. How should i approach dating?
Over the past year I’ve noticed that whenever I think of dating or relationships, my mood drops and I have to stop myself from falling into self-pity.
When I’m busy or distracted by other things like studying i’m prety happy and in a good mood. But when i realize that i’m somewhat lonely and start to think about dating it realy drwas down my mood. Is this normal? Is it a bad idea to think about dating, if it brings down my mood so much?
I’d realy like to here someone elses opinion on these questions.