InvisibleSquid

Thank you for your reply. Yes, that sounds like exactly what I want. I'm just not great at making friends in the first place, because I'm not very social. Tough spot to be in, you know?

I echo this completely. I'll also add that aesthetic attraction will drive my sensual attraction a lot of the time.

I’m mostly into adventure/RPGs these days. I love a good Zelda-like. Moderate action, good exploration, lots of puzzles and secrets. I’m into most puzzle-type games and some point-and-click. I’m also a huge fan of metroidvanias. I’m not great at shooters, but I’ll pick one up now and then.

For those who don't want to click the link, the text is: I’m coining the term lovequeer. To be lovequeer is to fully reject the concept of “love” as society applies it for romance, and to redefine the word around oneself and the types of love neglected by amatonormativity. I am a lovequeer aro. My heart is full of love for my friends, for my family, for my pets. The idea of romance is useless and irrelevant to me. I don’t need romance. All I need is my strong and passionate love. I actually kinda like that. It's cute and makes sense. I hope it catches on, but I'm not sure it will...

Yeah, I'm in my early 40s, so I feel ya on the age thing. I only recently realized I'm aro, so it's certainly been a ride. Thiiiiiis!! I remember that episode! It was great! Can't remember how old he is, though. Anyway, Hi and welcome, Syo! I'm also an avid gamer, and I went to art school. Dabbled in coding, but didn't have the patience for it. now I just fix computers for a living. Anyway, apparently ice cream is an aro thing, so I shall welcome you with the appropriate dessert.

Yeah, I've only "officially come out" as aroace to a handful of people, but I honestly just don't care anymore. Since my separation, I really have zero reason to hide what I am. I'm not looking to "hook up" and I can't handle romance. If it comes up, it comes up. that said, I do like having people to talk to about it, though. Which is why these forums are great.

I was on Reddit last night, and it occurred to me that I haven't the foggiest idea how this sort of thing would work. Is there a specific community of people looking for people? I'm really only in a few different communities on Reddit, and am not sure how someone would meet someone on there and become friends. Maybe I'm Redditing wrong! ?

Hm, I've never thought of using Reddit for such a thing, but I suppose that could make sense... I've heard 50/50 on OKCupid and nothing on Tinder. I've tried neither, but am also open to a QPR at some point, so I'm certainly curious.

I generally don't see myself as feeling lonely, but lately with my current situation, along with the world's current social situation, I'm finding that I'm missing the feeling of having close friends. I've been in constant touch with a few of my best friends from college, which has been really nice. But I feel like I need a new connection. Someone to bond with and learn about and chat about weird and crazy things with. So the answer is yes.

Ah, okay. I've heard of that app. I might have a look.

I experience love, and I love deeply, but not in the romantic sense. I'm better off being a close friend than a romantic partner.

Yes, exactly! I've thought about it, just to maybe make a new friend, but then I know why most other people are on there, so I'm just like "...um, no thanks." I'm starting to feel like we're all just treading water in here. ? Except I can't swim... ?

Yep, I'm sorta in the same boat. I'd like to be close to someone in that way, but not romantically. I recently started considering a QPR. But that's a new concept for me, and I don't know how that works or how people eventually get into them. And I also totally get not wanting to be someone's "special someone." I'd love a "cuddle buddy", but It wouldn't have to be exclusive, you know? Like pretty much exactly what you stated above. But how many other people would realistically go for that?? Obviously it's a thing, otherwise posts like this wouldn't exist, but how does one find someone like that? I'm anxious for someone to reply who's actually gotten there. ?

I'm in an odd place, but I feel like I can add something here, based on what @Jot-Aro Kujo and @arokaladin said. I'm coming from having several relationships and two marriages. All failed partly because, in hindsight, I'm arospec and was really not meant for such relationships. I can't have or maintain romantic feelings for someone. However, I do enjoy companionship and affection, but only as far as being super close friends. I like to cuddle and things like that, but only platonically. I think amatonormativity has gotten into our heads as we grew up such that we felt like that's how life had to be. I wish I had known more about myself way back, but it is what it is. I don't regret having my relationships, but I do regret hurting those I was with because I ultimately didn't share the same feelings. After my recent separation from my wife, I'm realizing just what kind of person I am, and what kind of relationship/companionship I want. I'm just bummed that it took me to this point in my life to figure it out. It's important to figure yourself out, and not overcompromise. I totally feel that. Granted, I was never very social, and kept very few friends. And as I got older I saw them even less, but I had a family. Now my kids are teens and they kinda became my companions in a sense, when my wife and I began to drift. Now that I'm not living with them, I miss them so much. I enjoy my alone time, for sure, since I never had any previously, and I'm quite an introvert. But I always welcomed the hugs and random cuddles on the couch to watch a movie. Like, could I just have a friend (or friends) to do that sort of stuff with, without it going towards romance eventually? Can people just be like that without making it weird?? But I digress. My point is you're not alone in feeling The Lonely.