Natasha,

I interrupted reading this excellent post to read "I dated people I didn’t love because I didn’t want to be alone", another brilliant text of yours.

I commented there leaving my statement as a man, I think the only man to comment.

In my youth I was never alone; had my dear friends. my parents, brothers, neighbours, colleagues at schools and university.

I only came to love and appreciate loniness many years after, as I still love at present.

Loniness as you descrebe here is terrible, and it is marvellous help end inspiration to all that commented and many more that has and will have the fortune to find you.

Congratulations!