Hi @HazelHazelton, it's great to see more of your presence in the online community and thank you for being so open to sharing your thoughts and feelings in this moment.
It's sad to hear this from your friend and it hurts to hear how you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed by this. Firstly, I think it's good to acknowledge that your friend has sent a message that is honest and most importantly in a nice way. From my perspective as a man, I have been in a similar situation with your friend where I had feelings for a girl who only viewed me as a friend at the time. So I can understand how he is feeling now but it's also understandable how you are feeling too.
When someone you know as a friend has feelings for you, it is hard to go back as justs friends once their feelings have changed (like how your friend is struggling due to his beliefs). And it's really hard because it feels like you can't be friends anymore. It makes sense when you feel overwhelmed by this because you don't want to lose a friend. Of course, this may make you feel sad and lonely but I hope you can reflect on it and appreciate that he is really nice.
There is always a way to hold on to a great and long-lasting friendship. I think if you're honest with him it might be a good idea, so he knows that you still value your friendship with him. The reason I suggest that is because the girl I knew was not honest with me and I had not idea what she wanted or whether we could be friends or not, and I hope the loneliness that I felt is not going to repeat with you.
Hopefully everything goes well with you and your friend and if you can hold on to such a good and long friendship. I also hope you can feel happier and not feel as overwhelmed by this. Hope this helps! 😁
