@seesaw I really like what you wrote. I do take things slowly, I am very cautious by nature, and I think this is good.

Not using people for support also seems very good advice. I had someone do that to me once and it was my failing that I did not effectively voice I was uncomfortable with that to them. I got worn down by it, they used me to vent. This person fast tracked me very quickly into an intense friendship which I at first found flattering I think (they must really like me kind of thing) but then felt stifled. I am trying to reset that friendship with better boundaries because I do essentially like that person. I wouldn't like to do to others what they did to me.

I like what you wrote about progression of friendship- you sound like you have learned a lot about healthy friendships.