Not sure if I’m queer or just lonely—how do you tell the difference?

I’m in my late 20s and have always thought of myself as straight, but recently I’ve found myself attracted to a close female friend in a way that feels different from any crush I’ve had before. It’s not just physical - there’s this deep emotional pull that’s confusing me because I’ve never really questioned my orientation until now. I haven’t dated much, mostly because I’ve been focused on work and haven’t met many people I vibe with. I’m worried that maybe I’m just feeling lonely or craving connection, especially since I’ve been pretty isolated during the pandemic. But at the same time, the feelings towards this friend feel more intense and specific than just general loneliness. I haven’t told anyone because I’m not sure what this means or if I even want to label it. Has anyone else experienced this kind of confusion between loneliness and genuine queer attraction? How did you figure out what was really going on inside? And how do you approach talking about it with friends or potential partners without feeling pressured to pick a label too soon?