Being dumped is almost always painful. I've been dumped by girls that I don't even like and it has hurt.
Do more of this
Quote:
She really likes me but that's natural really.
and less of this
Quote:
does this mean she still wants that connection with me? ... Is she trying to tell me something?
As for breakups. They normally happen for a reason and the worst thing you can do is nothing. If you sit still you allow yourself to wallow in self-pity and you become less likely to fix things, and less likely to find anything new.
That being said. I do believe there is fixing that can be done. It is harder than starting a new relationship. You need to have a good idea of what went wrong (not what she said went wrong - big difference), and you need time to work on this as well as working on yourself. If you don't work on yourself then you are instantly in needytown and heading in the wrong direction.
It sounds like you are doing well. Continue what you're doing, try to add more girls if possible. Keep contact with your ex to a minimum, until you feel that you are capable of talking to her without second guessing every little word. You can be up front with this other girl and tell her you aren't ready to commit, and she can like it or lump it.