Feeling sad about never being in a relationship and lacking affection.

I was that way until my mid-20s. But now (married 27 yes) I look back and realize there were people who had a crush on me but I discounted them and did not feel lovable (I chased people who do didn’t want me). I did therapy for my childhood stuff and ended up happily married. Now I’m doing ERP therapy since my OCD was triggered. My point is it can happen for you too. Focus on what you need to do to deal with things that may hold you back from feeling lovable / noticing when people are interested in you in this way.

@Erin P have you read the book "Attached"? It helped me understand so much about my behavioral patterns in relationships and the psychology behind those patterns. I realize now I have an anxious attachment style and after Attached I'm now reading Anxious Hearts to help me grow to having a more secure attachment style.

I feel the same. I feel unlovable.

@OCD can be controlled, I'm sorry you're feeling this way. That has to be really painful. Before thinking of anyone else, can you think of aspects of yourself that you love, like and/or appreciate? In order to accept someone not choosing me or not accepting unsafe people who did choose me, I realized I had to choose me first. When I did that, discernment of safe people became more apparent and rejection/distance still hurt but it proved nothing about my self worth. I'm not sure if this helps but I feel we have to choose ourselves first before concerning ourselves with being chosen.