Yes, you are younger. I taught meditation to university students, and have lived in a university town for years, so have been around a lot of younger people.

Here is a story. I knew a man who was late to do everything. He spent his 20's traveling and his 30's getting his PhD. Suddenly in his late 30's he became very depressed. He was living alone, did not have a good job, had no friends, and his hobby was building guitars. (A solitary hobby.)

He finally got his PhD around age 38 and started teaching part-time. He met a student (not his student but a student) at the university who was 20 years younger than he was. They eventually got married, traveled for scholarly pursuits, and won good jobs. Now she also has a PhD and just wrote a book. They both teach at the university.

When this man was in his late 40's he and his wife began to have children. Now they have 5 children.

Up until the age of 38 he was kind of a solitary loner. He did not chit-chat, and could only really talk at length about scholarly stuff. In our country we would call him a nerd.

But from the age of 38 to 55 this man has flourished. He is the head of some global nonprofit, teaches, writes, has young children, and quite a young wife, still. He is a weight lifter and a long-distance biker.

I really don't know how this person succeeded as he did. When I knew him he started out being reclusive and a bit neurotic. I think he developed one thing. It was his willpower. He became fluent in a new language in less than six months so he could go teach in that country. I surely do not know how a 38 year old man convinces a woman 20 years younger to marry him, but he did. I guess he learned to chit-chat! Seriously, I think he found a woman who was quite mature for her age. A young female nerd, but pretty.

I like the idea of willpower. I am going to think about it. Willpower is mental strength. Are these conditions such as anxiety and depression so intractable?

It isn't magic. If you were able to strike up a casual conversation once, you can do it many more times. In fact, as many times as you wish. You need to bring down that 99% of not saying something when it is on the tip of your tongue. Challenge yourself.

You are young with your life in front of you. Many surprises are in store for you. Use your willpower! I will, too!

Good Luck!