You are kinda like me. Never had one, never searched one and never tried to approach girls because I am scared to be rejected. (High school traumas I think).
Since my 21st I was trying to get into the dating scene and I practiced my social skills during work. Slowly more girls were even willing to talk to me and I made some female friends along the way. Some were even surprised I didn’t have any relationship yet. This was the first step in approving my social skills to keep the conversations going. It helped my job was at a busy restaurant with a lot of female co-workers around my age. I did it for one day in the week and 5 days at my full time job. Quitted after it became too much for my mental well-being.
Good friends of mine were focussed at finding partners and being around them and only talking about their dates really stressed me out. People were going on ats when I decided to upload my best photo’s on Tinder and just start swiping. After some months I found a girl which was (based on the photos) not really my type, but I was curious. We matched, started talking and two weeks later we met in her hometown. It’s the first time ever on an official ‘date’, we really had a great date and there is definitely coming a second one. She was in a sort of similar position and after a few minutes I was like, fuck it... let’s just be myself and accept the awkward silences. If it wouldn’t work out, too bad. At least my first step into dating was made. That attitude really helped me through that date and I saw her more as a friend which I teased than a potential partner for life.
No, I’m not saying you must use dating apps, because I think I was just really lucky in this case, but it thought me one thing. Just don’t give a fuck, make contact and try to boost your confidence in doing so. It made me realise I’m actually ignoring my true wishes and hoped it would magically solve itself. Currently 24 myself and becoming to getting more secure. Bit too late, but that’s the biggest step I’ve made in years.
Hold on brother, throw yourself out there. There is someone for you and I’m sure there’s one for me.