My Struggle with Dating at 25

I am 25 years old, and when it comes to women, I feel like I don’t have much real experience. Lately, this makes me feel increasingly depressed. It hurts to see teenagers, even people ten years younger than me, already having girlfriends and relationships, while I still feel stuck.

What bothers me most is that I never really took advantage of opportunities during university. I sometimes kissed girls in clubs — maybe six or seven in total — and I’ve been on a few dates, but nothing has gone further than a kiss. With those girls, and even with the one I went a little further with, I barely talked to them at all. Things just happened in the moment, and I never learned how to actually communicate and connect. I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong.

On the surface, I seem like someone who shouldn’t struggle. I’m fairly tall, I train in gymnastics, and I’ve built a very fit body. I’m not completely lacking in confidence, but whenever I’m around women I like, I freeze up. I don’t know how to start conversations or what to talk about. Approaching women feels terrifying, and the fear of rejection blocks me from trying.

One time, at a festival, I even had the chance to go further with someone. Things became physical, and I pleasured her with my hands, but I lost my erection and couldn’t take things any further. That moment stuck with me as a failure, and since then, my confidence has dropped even more.

Another problem is that I don’t even know where to meet women. Should I try online dating, or is it better to focus on social activities? Recently I signed up for salsa classes to learn dancing and hopefully get more comfortable around women. I’m not sure yet if it will be successful, but I’m open to any suggestions and advice. At this point, every idea is welcome, because I truly want to improve and finally build a real relationship.

Sometimes I wonder: is 25 already too late, or is there still hope for me to change and build the kind of connection I’ve always wanted