Single folks: how are you content being alone?

I’ve struggled with this most of my adult life. Before marriage, after divorce. I have my hobbies, but I’ve always thrived knowing someone else gave a shite about me in that way. I’ve recently started sabotaging any potential relationships (there’s not many anyway) I could possibly come across. The only conclusion I can come to is that I’m the problem.

I’m too open and available emotionally, physically, whatever. An attractive girl shows interest and I want to latch on. The story is always the same. They’ll text frequently, open up about things, discussions will be great. A couple weeks later, the communication tapers off. I’ll be left on “read”. I feel intrusive, bothersome, and everything seemingly changes overnight. Usually I’ll call it out, say some bullshite about how this wouldn’t work anyway, and be on my way to frick up the next one.

Clearly, I’m the problem. I don’t play the game well enough. I’ve always been a nice guy, so I have that against me. I had a brief window in my life where I was fine being the single guy and smashing whatever girl from the bar was down. I don’t know how to get back to that. I feel almost defective.

I do get out of the house and mingle with friends, play golf, etc. None of it is fulfilling anymore. I’m not sure it ever was. I’m trapped in this life for the one person that truly depends on me. I’m forced to live in solitude and misery, barring some tragic accident that I would almost welcome at this point.