I’m in love with an online friend who doesn’t feel the same, and I don’t know how to handle it anymore

r/

I’ve been in an online friendship with someone I care about deeply. Over time, my feelings grew into something more — love. I confessed those feelings honestly, hoping she’d give me a chance.
But every time I bring it up, she goes distant or doesn’t respond. I never wanted to pressure her, but the silence hurt more than rejection.
I’ve decided to stop mentioning it and just stay as her friend, but pretending nothing changed is breaking me inside.
Has anyone else gone through this? How do you handle loving someone who only sees you as a friend — especially when the friendship matters so much to you?
I’m torn between staying close or stepping away for my own peace.

Comments

  1. Ankit1000 Avatar

    Step away for your own peace. You’re essentially holding out in case they someday view you as a lover. Will never happen and will destroy your happiness in the interim.

    Suck it up. Ditch them. And move on. There is no other way that helps you.

  2. kayIerz Avatar

    hi op, i was actually on the both ends two separate times. coming from the girl’s side, it sucks because at the end of the day i still love and care for him deeply as a friend. but understanding that hes just friend and nothing more definitely has ruined our friendship. going from talking to every day, to radio silence… it kills me… because that was my friend who i had spent countless hours with conversing, playing gsmes with, etc. deep down, how he feels, i csnnot control but can only respect it, and distancing yourself and allowing him to distance as well to allow the other person to process their emotions is how i handled it. i miss him every day but i know his feelings are still there and itd be cruel of me to continue the friendship despite him saying hes fine w being friends (really, hes not, bc he still loves me). whereas, being on the other end where ive developed feelings for someone online as well and they distanced themselves, it hurts, but i can only remember that sometimes things dont work out and i can only do my best to respect both parties

  3. rusty518 Avatar

    Have you had an open conversation about this with her? I don’t know maybe that would be worth it just to get clarity for both of you?

  4. SweetAlive3430 Avatar

    See i proposed her in feb 14th what i feel inside but she said simple i value our friendship very deeply and from that day to last month march 23rd sending me a mixed sginal idk why this all our now i just seen no replies from that day to now but for final she played with emotions in the name of love thats not even good or anything daily ita hurting me a lot thinking about her is a waste of ??