Agreed, Mr Brightside. Steve, if she’s a healthy person, she doesn’t need you to make her happy. I suspect you still struggle with the idea of being complete and happy without a romantic partner so you think that’s how others work, too. If you can set aside your selfish desire for her to fill a hole in your soul, we’re telling you your co-dependency and other issues are more likely to hurt her than help her. If you feel any compassion for her, this would be the basis for letting go, until you’ve done the self-work needed to be a healthy partner. In 3-6 months—or 2 years if you don’t prioritize things like weekly therapy and self-help workbooks—you’ll be ready to make her life better, or that of whomever happens to be single then. Again, I’m 40s, have kids, and can date early 30s women with no children. This is not the toughest demographic to date imho. In my thread, 1 of my first 3 dates was from that group. That’s not because I’m highly special, although my self-esteem is high enough I was comfortable asking them out.
