Hoping maybe writing this is cathartic.
Im 27F and have very little dating experience. I am interested in finding a partner and I’m now beginning to put myself out there to make it happen.
My anxiety has been absolutely through the roof and this has happened every time I try to begin dating. Whether it’s putting myself in romantic situations or just talking on dating apps, It’s like something in my brain goes off and I feel like I’m in critical danger (dramatic I know, but its the best way I can describe the feeling).
I get that anxiousness is a normal feeling when going on dates, but it feels way too intense to be anything but a hinderance to any romantic situation I am in. When I think about myself in any romantic situation alone at home, it sounds nice. When I am in it in real life? I could cry from stress. It makes me pull away from people I could potentially have a really positive experience with!
I have no past trauma related to dating. I did have anxiety issues that I used to deal with daily, but I have since gone to therapy and really got it under control. It seems almost like this one aspect of my life, for some reason, is still harboring intense stress and I cannot pin point why.
I have liked people before so I definitely have in interest in dating. Honestly, when I think about dating people I like, there isn’t a lot of stress at all. I usually only start liking people way deep into a friendship so I feel like the trust is already established without the expectation of romance? I don’t know. Overall just very confused on how my brain works/doesn’t work.
Has anyone experienced something similar and overcame it? How did you go about it? For me, I’m trying the exposure therapy method of just doing it through the intense fear, but honestly it’s been torturous. Any advice is so appreciated!