I have been single since January, which is the longest I have ever gone without being in a serious relationship. While I am happy to be single – because I am very jaded when it comes to dating, I have, as of late – been stricken with a severe case of loneliness – and I would rather be afflicted with anything else.

Over the last few weeks, I have been thinking a lot about relationships and how happy I was when I was in one. I have also been in contact with many of my ex-girlfriends recently, which has made me reminisce about the past. And, I have been thinking a lot lately about how much fun it is to be with a woman and experience romance, passion and intimacy – something that is sorely lacking in my current existence. So, I have to admit, that the thought of dating is once again on my mind – although I am truly afraid to do so.

Throughout the course of my dating “career,” I have been in several rocky relationships, which makes me weary about trying again. Yet, going home to an empty house has made me want to date. Also, between my colleagues at work, and my addiction to Applebee’s – I am constantly around beautiful women – which also adds to my loneliness. In a way, it’s as if I am trapped in the ultimate of “catch-22” situations. I want to date again but I don’t – and that is a bad place to be.

Despite my concerns about dating again, I have taken some steps to re-enter the dating pool. I have created a page on My Space in the hopes of meeting someone, I have started to go out more to try and meet more people – and I have even asked friends of mine if they know anyone who is available. I am not sure where, if anywhere, these efforts will take me – but I figure it’s worth a shot.

Being in relationships for so long throughout my life and now being single for the longest period of time since my first date – I have never experienced this feeling of loneliness before – and, quite frankly – it sucks. To see couples locked in a warm embrace, people I know talk about how much they love their significant other – and ex-girlfriends of mine discuss how much fun we had together in “the good old days” – I suddenly find myself wanting to date someone more than I ever have before.

After mulling this over in my head for the last week or so, I have decided to just live life the way I always do, and let nature take its course. If I am, indeed, destined to meet someone – then I feel that it will come naturally. Yes, I would like to meet someone, but I am not going to make finding someone my top priority. Instead, I will go about my regular business with the hopes that I might find someone, because as the old saying goes – you always find someone when you are not looking for them.