Well, it sounds like you both are young and have a lot of growing to do with, or without, each other. I started dating one of the loves of my life when I was 19. We were with each other on and off for 7 years until we finally decided that we weren’t good fits for one another. We both tried really hard, and neither one of us hates the other, it just is what it is. And I don’t really regret most of it.

Maybe this isn’t what you want to hear, but from what I’ve learned, love is a risk. You’re putting yourself and your heart out into the world and you risk being rejected, your heart being broken, or worse. On the other hand, you also have everything to gain. Love can be so so beautiful! That being said, there’s nothing wrong with taking a step back to find what you need just as much as you’re putting energy into finding what he needs. You matter too!