How do I move on?

[u/Ok-Particular4505]

I'm 19[M] and I recently a girl I really liked said she doesn't want a relationship like a week ago and things are very awkward. I'm currently a month in [30 days] but damn is the social awkwardness still there. I know most of the friction to open up or approach people is mostly self sabotage but I usually wonder what to talk about and most of the things I'm genuinely interseted in tend to be either a physical attribute like clear skin or high cheek bone on their facial structure but that seems objectifying much. I have personal interests which at times I look back and think may be hard to find people to connect with on, I like chess and drawing. What should I do if I want to at the best of scenarios flirt with people of common interests we can connect over? Any advice also on the rejection? I don't know how to maintain contact without the hopes of her then wanting the relationship and at the same time keeping things platonic and more so grounds for good friendship

[u/standard-anon]

You give her space. You sit with your discomfort of being rejected, recognize the feelings it brought up, assess how you will handle your emotions, and accept that she's not interested. You give her peace and you give yourself peace so you can learn and move forward with your life. If it is too difficult, chances are you have some underlying issues and probably should seek a therapist to help you see into yourself and learn to adapt and handle yourself without expecting others to be responsible for your emotions.