boyfriend advice Options

[LuvsDogs387]

Ok so I'm 18 and have never had a boyfriend or even a first kiss. When I talk with my friends and before I go to sleep at night I feel like I want a boyfriend. Someone of the opposite sex to be my friend and spend personal time with. I've had 3 opportunities to have a boyfriend and turned them all away because I'm scared. All 3 of them want to be this close *crosses fingers* right away. I'm the kind of person who needs to take time before I get close to someone. It took me about 2 years of pre-friendship before me and my now best friend actually became best friends. I'm just that kind of person where it takes a long time to earn my trust and just as long for me to actually want to hang out with you.

Right now one of my friends is trying to set me up with a guy. We all went on a double date to the movies and he seems really nice and we have a little in common. But that very night after I went home he started text messaging me and days after that too. I felt like I was being suffocated. I NEED my personal space. He’s nice and all but he's got a lot of problems, he's living with his friend (parents kicked him out), and he smokes cigarettes. I've got my own problems I don't know if I'm mentally strong enough right now to help someone else. Although I'm sure he'd help me with my own.

I'm also very shy; I'd feel embarrassed telling my mom I have a boyfriend. It’s because I've never had one and even though she’s pushed me to try and have a relationship for some reason I'd still feel embarrassed. Plus right now I don’t feel like dedicating a lot of my time to someone else. I’ve got my own problems here at home that I need to sort out; I don’t know if adding someone else to the mix is a good idea.

So my question is should I take a chance and try to see him again or wait until I know I'm ready. Am I being to cautious or am I just being smart knowing that I'm not ready for a relationship?

I really need some help; this has been driving me crazy.

[mai_z]

I think you know the answer to your own questions. If you feel that you're not ready, don't push yourself into anything. Being said, don't shut yourself away from the outside world, using the excuse that "you're not ready". Dating isn't the committment it used to be. It's a danger to you, but it also gives you a chance to play the field.

Take the chance when you think you're ready, but not until then.