I need some advice on how to approach dating in my situation

So I'm a 24 year old guy, and I've never dated before. I've never had any type of experience with a girl and have had little social experience in my life, which has obviously made me very socially awkward. I don't know how to act in groups, and it doesn't help that I've never been to a party before. Due to various troubling events that took place in my childhood and teenage years, I've had serious mental and emotional problems....and I've lived as an extreme recluse for at least the past 10 years.....even in elementary school. I pretty much missed out on all the positive youthful/teenage experiences, plus I don't have a social media presence.

Pretty much everything I've said above has destroyed any semblance of confidence or liking any part of myself. I've always kinda wondered what it's like to have someone be attracted to you or want to be around you. Every time I meet someone new (usually at work), one question I always get asked is "Are you in a relationship/When was your last one?." which makes me 10x more insecure. I personally haven't met anybody who hasn't been in a relationship before.

I want to try to put myself out there but I really don't know how women would react if I told them everything above.....This is one of my biggest worries. I'm not sure how attractive I am, the only "compliment" I've ever received was from a female co-worker who said "Well you're not bad-looking" which obviously didn't help.

I don't know how to approach a woman, then talk about my life (when I technically barely have anything to talk about). I've lived as a recluse for some many years, there's nothing for me to talk about....besides from how pathetic it's been. People get so judgmental. In my situation, how would you guys approach talking to a girl? Do I have to lie about everything just not come off as a weirdo or creep? I would like to know these things. Any advice is super appreciated!

Submitted July 06, 2022 at 12:08AM

So I'm a 24 year old guy, and I've never dated before. I've never had any type of experience with a girl and have had little social experience in my life, which has obviously made me very socially awkward. I don't know how to act in groups, and it doesn't help that I've never been to a party before. Due to various troubling events that took place in my childhood and teenage years, I've had serious mental and emotional problems....and I've lived as an extreme recluse for at least the past 10 years.....even in elementary school. I pretty much missed out on all the positive youthful/teenage experiences, plus I don't have a social media presence.Pretty much everything I've said above has destroyed any semblance of confidence or liking any part of myself. I've always kinda wondered what it's like to have someone be attracted to you or want to be around you. Every time I meet someone new (usually at work), one question I always get asked is "Are you in a relationship/When was your last one?." which makes me 10x more insecure. I personally haven't met anybody who hasn't been in a relationship before.I want to try to put myself out there but I really don't know how women would react if I told them everything above.....This is one of my biggest worries. I'm not sure how attractive I am, the only "compliment" I've ever received was from a female co-worker who said "Well you're not bad-looking" which obviously didn't help.I don't know how to approach a woman, then talk about my life (when I technically barely have anything to talk about). I've lived as a recluse for some many years, there's nothing for me to talk about....besides from how pathetic it's been. People get so judgmental. In my situation, how would you guys approach talking to a girl? Do I have to lie about everything just not come off as a weirdo or creep? I would like to know these things. Any advice is super appreciated!