This may not apply to you, but I was once in a similar situation. One day I finally realized that a relationship shouldn’t make me happy, it should make me happier.

I think that was quite a turning point and things got better from there for me. I started focusing on myself and finding things I enjoyed. Dates stopped becoming so daunting and I think people noticed that.

Anyway, good luck!

Yes. Mid 30s in the US, but my first car was also a manual. Glad I knew how to do it when my wife accidently booked a manual rental car during our trip in Portugal last year.