I believe I'll have to comment on your thread more often. Oddly enough I went on a date with an interesting guy from a dating app and had the best time ever. It was so refreshing to be 'myself'.. not triple thinking if I was saying or doing the right thing. The conversations were far-reaching, it was easy to be together. I truly believed what he said about wanting to get to know someone, laugh and have fun, then see what develops. The evening ended with a kiss on the cheek which was sweet.
The "I'm not a pessimist but am prepared for the worst side" of me is content if it's "one and done". What a relief to know that meeting someone can be fun, and staying in the here and now is rewarding. And that there is something not inherently wrong with me wanting to know someone first. Finally, I can be comfortable in my own skin and see what's right in another person for me!
