I’m a single guy, I’m 16, and I’m trying to figure out how to actually talk to girls and get into dating. I leave for college this fall, and honestly when it comes to women I feel completely lost. I see other guys my age who seem naturally confident, know how to flirt, and can start conversations without overthinking everything. Meanwhile I feel like I either say too little, try too hard, or just avoid the situation completely because I don’t want to embarrass myself.
Part of me feels behind because I’ve never really been in a serious relationship. I also grew up with pretty strong Christian values, so I’m not really looking to just mess around or treat dating like a game. At the same time, I know college is going to be a huge change, and I don’t want to go into it socially awkward and clueless. I want to learn how to actually connect with people, build confidence, and not panic every time I talk to a girl I think is attractive.
I guess my biggest problem is overthinking. I think too much about saying the “right” thing instead of just being normal and having a conversation. I also don’t really know how to tell if a girl is interested or if I’m just being annoying. Social media and dating culture honestly make everything feel more confusing too.
For the people who were in the same situation at my age, what actually helped you? How did you build confidence, get better socially, and stop being nervous around girls? Any advice would help.