See, as a woman (female, lady.... whatever term suits you the quote that is above from Antlers is EXACTLY what I would want from a man! So IMO you are right where you should be Antlers.
I think it's SUCH an important outlook to have. IMO it's not *always* about being on the rebound but more about NOT needing validation from somebody else. If you feel needy or clingy even for a second (generally speaking) then you (generally) should not even be dating. No way!
I have realized this tenfold and I think it's only recently that I really *get* it. I will NEVER again under ANY circumstance involve myself with a man on ANY level that is weak and unsure how to be a leader in a R. I get that in R's sometimes one person has to do more "work" but really, that should be very specific pockets of time.
When I think of how much burden my H dumped on me (and more important how I did it ALL thinking it was making me a good wife) I could vomit.
I certainly don't want an a-hole but I will never even consider being with a weak man again. So YAY for you - that statement alone pretty much cements the what we ALL knew all along... you are a good man that "gets" it. And you know what? It doesn't matter how long it took you to "get it" because what matters is you do now.
the quote that is above from Antlers is EXACTLY what I would want from a man! So IMO you are right where you should be Antlers.