I don’t know about loser but I do think you’re setting yourself for an unpleasant wake-up at some point.

Spend your youth jerking it, playing video games and never going through the learnings, experiences, joys and heartbreaks of relationships, if you realize in a dozen years that there is a gaping partner/meaning/joy void in your life, it’ll be much harder to fix. Believe me, dating does not get easier in middle age. Especially if you don’t want kids.

It’s sort of like any other drug, easy and appealing alternative to life’s difficulties in the moment but consistent use tends to lead to serious problems down the road.

That being said, if you’re 26 and haven’t been on a date, I imagine there are bigger issues than a preference for video games and waifus. I suspect the women with whom you have a chance aren’t attractive enough for you so it leads to this spiral. And frankly, lowering your standards sucks and lifting yourself up to meet others’ standards is a lot of work.

Don’t really have an answer but those are my middle aged thoughts. I’m old, balding, don’t want kids and haven’t seriously dated for a couple of years as I’m adjusting to this new reality. But goddamn I am happy I spent my late 20s sleeping with a lot of fun folks and in a few meaningful relationships. I grew every time I fell in love, cherish some of the crazy times and know I’m a better person for it all. Those experiences and memories are big motivators for getting into better shape, working on myself etc so that when I’m ready, I can aim for another of those awesome fun relationships.