Hopefully this doesn’t sound condescending, but I understand what being in the position is like. More, I cannot even count how many times I’ve had feeling a go entirely unreciprocated. Hell, I can’t think of a single time “those” feelings have ever been reciprocated. Granted, that’s more of a personal issue, and I am the exception and not the rule.

The truth is, that mindset of “wanting to love someone” sets you up for failure. You are looking for love and are therefore vulnerable to any act of kindness. There is always the possibility you’ll luck out and find someone worthy of that love, but that isn’t guaranteed. More likely, you’ll get taken for a ride and end up hurting worse.

To stress, I’m not saying relationships aren’t worth the risk, they are, but the desire to love makes you incredibly vulnerable when entering any potential relationship. I have “fallen in love” numerous times, and it has always blown up in my face. That rush of emotions is blinding, and I get swept up by kind, though ultimately hollow, words. That blindness stems from desperation and, unfortunately, predatory, toxic people love preying on that vulnerability. It gives them power, and, while they might say the right words back, they don’t have good intentions and lead to unhealthy relationships.

Basically, allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling, but wait to act until that “love” feels like a natural progression rather than an obligation stemming from an underlying belief this is “the only chance.” Nothing is guaranteed, but there are usually always other chances. The future is unwritten.