im so confused

i dont know where to write this, but it kinda has to do with relationships so..

im 18.. and I've never been in a real relationship. My first question is: is that normal/typical?
I don't date EVER.. and i think more than anything, it's due to my low self esteem.
Every time i think of getting close to someone, i get uncomfortable..
I've turned people down. not because i don't like them, but because I am afraid..
i don't know how relationships are supposed to go.. i don't know how you're supposed to act around them.. i'm not afraid of social interactions but I am so self concious that i just avoid it.
Im afraid of letting someone know the real me.. i guess im scared of what they might think or what if they don't like me?
I'm not confident about my appearance either, so i just dont' know..
also, the whole intimacy thing freaks me out..
most of my friends have or have had sex with most of their boyfriends.. and i think it's probably whats expected out of a relationship.. i don't think i am ready for that..
i'm not that religious but i dont believe in having multiple partners..
so do guys/men accepta girl waiting for marriage?
i don't know if im waiting but I've been taught that it's NOT ok before marriage that I can't imagine going against my family's beliefs.. even though i dont follow my family's rules anyway.
I want a relationship.. and i am interested in a few people..

but is it better to not be in a relationship? and is it possible to have a relationship with a guy right now? i know that all teenage boys are interested in that one thing only..

so what to do...

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes
Well you just might find
You get what you need

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prettyjolie said:
i dont know where to write this, but it kinda has to do with relationships so..

im 18.. and I've never been in a real relationship. My first question is: is that normal/typical?
I don't date EVER.. and i think more than anything, it's due to my low self esteem.

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Ok - until you said the part about low self esteem I was going to say YES - it is normal for some to be 18 and not have been in a relationship.

But - now with the low self esteem I would have to say that this is playing a big part in you not having had any close relationships with a male, for you are probably feeling that you are not good enough to have some on care about you - and that is not good, for you are missing out on the wonders of life and love.

Do you know or are you aware of the reason(s) that might causing you to feel this way.... any thing from your past that may be effecting you?

Well, Rhapsody said what I would say on the self-esteem part, so lets get to the sex part...... yea in today's world, men do expect sex. That's kinda the bottom line. Now, although a super-cynic, I am almost certian that you need to either find a guy who is willing to stay sex free until marriage, or realize (like I did) that those morals are a bit out of date, and that although you shouldn't sleep around a lot, that having sex with a guy isn't going to make you a slut, and in todays world, the slogan truely is "just do it." Best of luck to you!

the whole self esteem thing.. it is a big deal, and i do know that it is pretty much why i dont date..
You're right. I don't believe that I am good enough for someone to care about me, and at most times, i don't feel like i deserve love..
I'm not realy sure why I feel that way, but i really do.

I don't know the reasons i feel this way at all.. There is nothing in my past that could have affected me in that way that I can think of at all..

on to the whole sex thing..

i do know what you mean.. those morals are so old and out of date, but its not about that.. i would feel so terrible about myself.. i know i would and, my self esteem would go down even more..

but i guess no "normal" guy will no expect it, huh?

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes
Well you just might find
You get what you need