Most people talk about loneliness as being completely alone. But sometimes the hardest version of it happens when everything in life seems fine — except for one missing piece.
That’s exactly how one 20-year-old woman says she’s been feeling lately. Even though she has friends, school, and a busy life, she admits that the longing for romantic love has started to feel overwhelming.
And the feeling only became stronger after experiencing love for the first time.
After First Love, the Longing Got Stronger
The woman explained that she never used to care much about romantic relationships.
That changed when she fell in love for the first time.
Although that relationship ended badly, the experience left a lasting impact. Now she says she constantly feels the absence of that kind of connection.
Sometimes the longing is so intense that it feels almost physical.
“I just want to feel loved by someone I love,” she wrote, admitting the desire sometimes makes her feel sick with how much she wants it.
A Full Life That Still Feels Incomplete
What makes the feeling more confusing is that she already has a lot going on in her life.
She’s a university student, works a part-time job, attends social events, and has close friends she deeply cares about.
From the outside, her life looks full.
But the desire for romantic connection still lingers.
Even though she doesn’t actively search for relationships in every new friendship or interaction, the emotional gap remains.
“I don’t know what more I can do to plug the void,” she admitted.
A Smaller Dating Pool
Later in the post, the woman added an extra detail that can make dating even more complicated.
She’s interested in women.
While that doesn’t change her desire for love, she acknowledges it can make the dating pool smaller, which sometimes adds to the frustration of waiting for the right connection to appear.
Still, she’s trying to put herself out there socially and meet new people without forcing anything.
Why the Feeling Is So Common
Many commenters reassured her that the longing she described is something a lot of people experience — especially in their early twenties.
User jayceeamazon wrote:
“That weird ache when you’ve tasted love and now nothing else hits the same.”
Others warned that strong cravings for love can sometimes push people into unhealthy relationships if they’re not careful.
User MJSP88 advised:
“You might end up choosing unsafe partners if you’re chasing romantic love to fill a void.”
The Emotional Side of Growing Up
For many readers, the post resonated because it captured something that often isn’t talked about openly.
Even when someone has friends, goals, and a fulfilling daily life, the desire to share it with someone special can still feel incredibly strong.
As one commenter put it, the feeling doesn’t mean something is missing from her life — it simply means she’s human.
And sometimes, learning to sit with that longing is just another part of growing up while waiting for the right connection to arrive.
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As a mom of three busy boys, I know how chaotic life can get — but I’ve learned that it’s possible to create a beautiful, cozy home even with kids running around. That’s why I started Cultivated Comfort — to share practical tips, simple systems, and a little encouragement for parents like me who want to make their home feel warm, inviting, and effortlessly stylish. Whether it’s managing toy chaos, streamlining everyday routines, or finding little moments of calm, I’m here to help you simplify your space and create a sense of comfort.
But home is just part of the story. I’m also passionate about seeing the world and creating beautiful meals to share with the people I love. Through Cultivated Comfort, I share my journey of balancing motherhood with building a home that feels rich and peaceful — and finding joy in exploring new places and flavors along the way.
