OMG SP. This. I wish someone had said this to me twenty years ago.

I feel a million times better with all my imperfect connections, with the surprising number of really nice people who can be there for me in limited ways. I have begun to stop seeking and make peace with the inevitability of some loneliness as I am learning to be my own friend. Loneliness really isn't the worst thing if you like your own company. I am able to invest more in my relationships with others because my expectations of those connections is so much more reasonable. I meet people hoping for a good conversation, not a soul mate.

I don't know if some people figure this out young, but making headway on this issue has been the best thing about hitting forty.