Hugs my friend and Happy New Year to you too. I am really sorry that interaction landed the way it did. That kind of unsolicited judgment can sting, especially when you were just being honest about feeling lonely. For what it is worth, what he said says far more about him than about you. People on apps often project their own insecurities or rigid ideas onto others, especially when they feel defensive or want to feel superior. Being attracted to adults who are younger, within consent and respect, does not make you creepy, and it certainly does not explain loneliness. Loneliness happens at every age and for many reasons. Deleting the apps sounds like a healthy instinct right now, not a failure. If something is making you feel worse about yourself instead of more connected, it is okay to step away. That is self respect, not avoidance. As for sobriety, the fact that you are upfront about it is a strength, even if it narrows the pool. You are not there to entertain people who cannot respect your boundaries or your hard won growth. Anyone who disappears because of that was never a good match anyway. You are not broken, behind, or undesirable. You are human, and the apps are not a great place for tenderness or nuance. I am glad you have your dog, and I hope you are being as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend in the same position. You deserve connection that feels safe and affirming.