Dear Florencefortyeight~
OK, I have read your other thread
"Break-up advice just does not apply to me.. there is no getting over it."
and have a great deal of sympathy, both for the loss of a possible relationship, but also all these so called meaningful opinions have that sound wise, but are no real help at the time.
I felt like that when my first wife passed away.
I came to a surprising conclusion, I was one of those people that really needed to be part of a partnership, to see and be seen by another, love and live together during our lives.
I have the feeling from the way you write that meaning in life comes to you though having the companionship of another. Someone you love and loves you.
I do have some things to say. The fist is I disagree completely with your "impossible for me to get over losing someone I loved". I thought that and found the word impossible is both wrong and harmful, easy to convince yourself it is true.
Time varies with people, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years and so on, everyone is unique.
You are having an impact on the world right now, even though you do not have a partner. Your impact on me was to remind me of my period of loss, suicidality and greif -and how it ended on renewed happiness.
It may well be that you cannot simply go out and find a mate. Often life is oblique, where something as mundane as dropping a bag can lead to a fruitful introduction, or you try an alternative interest, maybe music, maybe books maybe.. and that surrounds you with others (which is the one thing I really agree with in your other thread.)
Being with people (and not necessarily revealing your past) does a lot of things, it can provide interest, lessens your feelings of isolation and may lead to a social life.
Few things are for ever, regrettably not even a partner or a pet, but that does not mean why try, there is too much to enjoy and give to for you to discard it all.
Incidentally there is one phrase I"m unable to understand -my failing I admit, and this is
"my feelings are HEAVILY, heavily stigmatized".
Would you like to explain it for me?
Croix