I was self-taught up until age 18, when I began college, and was allowed no social interaction by my parents, who are religious extremists.

When I started working jobs at 17, I stuck my neck out in an attempt to get some semblance of a sex life, and was grinded into the dirt rather quickly. I was not ready for that beatdown.

So I turned the world off and focused on myself. I improved my SMV dramatically.

However, I've been diagnosed with mild PTSD due to child abuse, which I prefer not to describe, and my horrid experiences in the sexual marketplace have likely also contributed to it. I really don't want to sound like a broken record, but I'm hindered.

I get looks and stares, I get IOIs, and I want to reenter the dating world, but I just can't bring myself to stick my neck out again for terror of it getting lacerated.

Call me a pussy. Call me a bitch. Call me a coward. Maybe I am. But I can't fake it till I make it. I need to find a real way over this hurdle.

Do you know one?