I'm glad you are able to maintain a friendship. That's always nice. It leaves the future open to new possibilities.

Lonely is a pretty unhappy place so I'm not sure you can be happy and lonely.

But I do know that one can be happy and alone. Without a significant other in their life one can know happiness and feel fullfilled with their life. I happen to think it is good for people to experience time on their own. I think there is much to be gained from learning how to live a full and satisfying life without a partner. I've spent most of my life without a partner and while I've been alone most of my adolescent and adult life I've seldom felt lonely. The only time I remember feeling lonely was after the two significant romantic breakups in my life. Those few months right after were very difficult. I feel for your pain right now.

Aside from the emotions involved we are creatures of habit and a breakup of a relationship throws all of our habits out of kilter. It takes time to adjust to all the changes. The loneliness is magnified by how unfamiliar everything suddenly has become. That's when other friends and family need to be called upon to help fill the emptiness for a while. The key is to not get caught by the sadness of what has been lost but to surround yourself with the blessing of what you still have, what hasn't changed. It might be work. It might be friends and family. It might be a hobby you've put off exploring. Now is the time to embrass the opportunities of the change so that you don't get caught in the sorrow of the loss.

Sure there are biological and lusty needs and interests that sexual partnerships satisfy but I'm not talking about those needs. They can be put aside for a time or satisfied in other ways without entering into long term life partnership commitments.

The time will come when you are ready again to find a life partner. Unless you want a rebound relationship to escape your lonliness you are wise to turn the focus on your inner self for a while. Take some time with yourself to explore your hopes and dreams and realign your goals and plans. Its time to reconnect with your inner child and identify again with your life's vision. Its a time when you can get to know you a little more and set your course in the direction you want to take it.

Enjoy your alone time. Socialize with groups of friends and meet new people when you get the chance. It's really quite a wonderful gift if you can see it that way. That special lady will come into your life when you least expect it and when you are most ready to go the distance.

Rest for now. Accept that there will be sadness but soon the clouds will shift and the rainbow of happiness will mark your path once again.