I think it's because what I really want is to be in a long term relationship. I'd love to have a partner who I could count on to always spend time with. Someone with whom I'd hang out and have fun regularly without the need to schedule it far in advance.

I feel exactly the same way. Sadly, I had a person like that in my life for several years until I hadn't anymore so I know how true that is in the amount of difference it does in ones life. She made some really rough moments of my life practically a breeze (relatively speaking) when they would've been unbearable on my own.

Getting together with friends always takes so much effort, coordinating schedules and planning an activity and location. As I've entered my 30s, and especially since the pandemic, I've seen my few remaining friends less and less often. Nowadays I only manage to get together with a friend one or two days a month.

Ahh I haven't seen a friend in a year. But my situation is different perhaps for all the wrong reasons.

"You won't be happy with someone else until you're happy with yourself"

Canned phrases without much thought behind them, just like most things on the internet.

My life experience with 2 LTR relationships one almost lasting 10 years tells me otherwise. It's so patronizing to be told how to feel and how to think. I know how I feel and I know what I enjoy in life. Being told otherwise won't change anything.

Obviously, we are all different and complex individuals so I do believe some people process relationships in different ways and may feel they can cope better off by themselves. I personally am 100% I can't. My mental health took a deep dive ever since I became single. I really need a deep connection with someone else to be happy. That intimacy, companionship and love is absolutely irreplaceable for me and I'm pretty confident to say it's the one thing I strive for and the one thing that gives meaning to my life.

Sadly, I do think finding compatible people is so hard. I don't really care about looks or anything for the most part and it's almost impossible to create deep meaningful connections the older you are. I sometimes feel like I will just be alone forever. And honestly, what's the point in living like that?

Being with the new wrong person is definitely worse than being alone. But both are awful in my opinion.

but humans are social beings, and I think we all suffer when we have near-zero social interaction, and no amount of mental gymnastics will allow me to feel as good going through life alone as I would with the support and love of a partner.

Obviously, and I agree. Good luck. Just know you are not alone in how you feel. Perhaps you will meet someone who feels this way. And sorry for the whiny wall of text