Can't connect with anyone

You need to experience this by yourself. This is how we develop. You're the one who'll break the shyness. You're the one who helps himself. You need to try but do it in the right way. We create ourselves. Forget the past! Good luck!

 

Unfortunately, there's no cut and dry answer to this. The only thing you can do is dive in to social settings. Go to local events and activities with a friend or 2 and learn to talk to new people. I can relate to you on the being sheltered part and not being great at socializing so know that you are not alone. All love and strength to you brother!

 

Hey! I’m new here too. Well, it’s good that you’re being honest and open. At your age I didn’t have the courage to open up like you. I too am not the best a talking to strangers. Some people are just blessed with that ability. And honestly, not being so social can be a good thing. You don’t want to be caught up with the wrong people. I didn’t go to college, but I think you may start to open up a little more there. Hopefully you’ll be led to a community of positive friends there. As far as women goes, try not to stress about it. It’ll happen. Whoever she is, you just might not have met her yet. And it’s good you’ve joined this forum of others with the same goal in mind. Hopefully when that relationship with a woman comes along, porn and masturbation won’t be an issue to worry about.

 

Everyone goes through this. Believe in yourself. Develop and maintain productive habits. Join new activities. Don’t seek to impress, seek to understand. Ask questions. Relate your own experience. Stay truthful. Watch, listen, learn.

 

The good news is that the anxiety means women are important to you. You're going to have to go through a hellish period of growth, but there are people who have screwed themselves up so much they don't even feel anything around real-life people. You've got a lot to be grateful and to work with, even if the emotions are intensely distressing for now, and probably until you really dig into them and commit to attacking your weakness in relationships.