I've been friends with this guy for seven years. He's had feelings for me just about that whole time. I had a boyfriend for five of those years.

A year ago, that boyfriend left me for someone else.

A month ago, I agreed to start "dating" my friend of seven years.

I'm having serious doubts. First of all, my feelings for him nowhere near match his feelings for me. Second, I think about my ex all the time. I miss him, I compare him to this new guy and he wins. Third, I am depressed and busy with school, two things that make me want to seclude myself. So I don't WANT to be around anyone, let alone my new boyfriend.

I don't know how to do this, how to tell him I am not ready for this, without ruining the friendship we had for seven years. I don't want him to be out of my life completely, I just need more time. I need more time before I can consider dating anyone, and I also don't even know if we should be together in this way at all. He's a very sensitive and emotional fellow. Affectionate and kind of dramatic. I'm the opposite. And his emotional needs *annoy* me. ALREADY! After a month!

How can I go about this? I feel terrible, because he's been waiting for this for years...but...I feel trapped and icky. It just doesn't feel right. Help me, reddit!
user
been friends with guy for seven years. agreed to start dating after a month.
assistant
I've been friends with this guy for seven years. He's had feelings for me just about that whole time. I had a boyfriend for five of those years.

A year ago, that boyfriend left me for someone else.

A month ago, I agreed to start "dating" my friend of seven years.

I'm having serious doubts. First of all, my feelings for him nowhere near match his feelings for me. Second, I think about my ex all the time. I miss him, I compare him to this new guy and he wins. Third, I am depressed and busy with school, two things that make me want to seclude myself. So I don't WANT to be around anyone, let alone my new boyfriend.

I don't know how to do this, how to tell him I am not ready for this, without ruining the friendship we had for seven years. I don't want him to be out of my life completely, I just need more time. I need more time before I can consider dating anyone, and I also don't even know if we should be together in this way at all. He's a very sensitive and emotional fellow. Affectionate and kind of dramatic. I'm the opposite. And his emotional needs *annoy* me. ALREADY! After a month!

How can I go about this? I feel terrible, because he's been waiting for this for years...but...I feel trapped and icky. It just doesn't feel right. Help me, reddit!
user
been friends with guy for seven years. My feelings for him are not the
assistant