Honestly? It sounds like you've cultivated genuine caring for (and in turn, care from) those you hold a deep love for: your chosen family, "ohana". The whole "next stage of life" thing is a packaged product that was sold to you (and all of us) from birth and I, for one, feel that your earnest, meaningful efforts to not only establish but personally tend to those close relationships deserves a kinder critique than always comparing it to the Happy Meal that never turns out like "as seen on TV!" — sorry, spoilers! 🤪

No, but seriously. Fuck that dream-sapping bullshit. You are the universe experiencing itself. Breathe that in. ✊🏼

May I ask what steps you take to try and meet a partner? I'm asking because I'm pretty lonely too but that's because I actually never go out and meet people these days. Unfortunately most people have the idea that starting relationships in the workplace is not the way to go, even though you spend 90% of your life there. So you have to go out to clubs and pubs and shit and actually meet and mingle with strangers. Honestly I'm not sure what other options there are besides the workplace or clubbing.

I think that maybe something that is failing the always online Z generation (besides the toxic 'manosphere') is dating apps. They seem to be a bust and need to be ditched. Those apps are just there to harvest your data and make a buck from you. If they were to actually help you find love, then that company would lose a customer and source of data or income.

So I don't know what else to say other than, you need to actually go out and meet new people in order to potentially meet your person. And it also helps grooming yourself a bit, making sure to shave the neck beard and chin strap and looking like someone that is actually capable of taking care of themselves. That goes a long way in showing potential partners that you're not just looking for another mother to take care of you. And also, find a style and own it. You don't need to follow fashion trends, just look for a subculture or something that you vibe with and can feel confident wearing.

Just note, not trying to judge or anything. I actually don't know, maybe you're a party animal with an awesome dress sense lol. Just trying to throw a few ideas out there for you.

Edit: editing to address this too: "move onto the next stage of life: starting a family."

Keep that to yourself. If you come on too strong and too soon, people are going to run away from you.

In fact I'd go as far as saying, drop that heavy shit from your mind right now. Go into things without expectations. Sometimes it'll just result in a night of fun and nothing more but people don't want to be chained, especially when they're just getting to know someone. Keep it light and keep the thoughts of wedding bells and children away. At least until you're sure that not only have you found the one, but also that your 'one' even feels the same way about you.

I see, you too appreciate the irony of "Political Science".

Thanks for your input.

No it’s not obtuse and is very straight forward. If the steps from 1 to 2 seem like a big leap that’s more telling. It’s not Byzantine it’s big gap in a society… acting like it’s a black hole describes the issue instead of solving it.