Confused to say the least

I'm sorry to say that it sounds like the time to move on to me. If he felt the same way as you he would have been in contact in some manner. It's really a romantic dream we have about things. The reality, even when it is successful, often follows constant uncertainty. My advice would be to step back, relax and move steadily on locally.

Sorry, to join in, in such a fashion, but Cassie has got it spot on. Online friends leave soooooo many gaps in their communications, and we just fill them in as we think we should.

I met up with a girl that I was so close to online. We had been chatting for a couple of years. It was dislike at first sight for both of us. It still surprises me that that was how we ended up. We had been so compatible online, and we were so looking forward to meet.

It definitely sounds a bit fishy that he can't contact you for such extended periods because of work. It sounds more like he has another girlfriend or wife that he probably lives with, and you're someone he sees when he tells HER that he's on a work trip. Either way, even if we're wrong about the double life, I think it's very rude that the current guy just vanishes and pops up once in a blue moon... it sounds like he's using you when he's bored or lonely if he's not always in contact with you. Unless he is literally going deep underwater for weeks at a time or up into space for work, then there's no reason he can't contact you more often.

I do think you should start dating other people. Keep it casual for now, and maybe you'll find someone special eventually who gives you the attention you deserve at a minimum. You can love someone else, and it will likely be better than what you have going on right now because they may not be so neglectful.

It can definitely be hard to like people! Hugs!

I want to like people, I really do. I do my best to be nice in person, and many people are in return. I just find everyone is so busy that they don't have time to remember me and that's frustrating. Do I really have to adapt to your specific schedule just to be in your life? People are too people-y many times!

On the other hand, I can imagine how many things they've got going on that they think just can't be let go in their schedule (even though they could prioritise and slim down their schedules - and I could help with that organising process!), and they've got all sorts of pressures I know nothing about because they don't talk about them. So, I can be sympathetic even while I'm frustrated that I'm on the outside!

I do think you're flogging a dead horse. 6 months with no contact sends a very clear message. You are in love with him, but is he in love with you? Usually men in love are quick to get involved with a woman. This sounds the opposite of that. It feels like he's the one for you: and if he lived near you, you'd have a better chance. But this guy hasn't even texted a simple hello for like forever.

Soon you will have to move on: the way this guy has moved on.

There's plenty of ways to date online, locally, and you can chat with them a while before meeting (video chat preferably to make sure they are who they say they are). Might make you more comfortable when it comes time to meet them in person, but... I know how that is lol I'm kind of shy, awkward, etc. in person when first meeting people, but it hasn't stopped me from dating. Some people find it cute, so gotta find someone like that

I met pretty much everyone I have ever dated online in one form or another... I don't know how to meet people any other way lol too introverted and quiet otherwise.. I'd be so alone if the internet didn't exist.