Search Results: moved too fast

Here's my situation. Im 25, I've never been on a date before, and I've had sex with a woman. It was a hookup, and thought it was kind of mediocre. I prefer emotional connection over sex, but people I like are very rare. I don't know anyone anymore, and I have to meet people in person. The problem however is Im usually too shy to talk to anyone to even get a date. Usually I just end up staring at my phone and leaving because Im too scared to talk to anyone. I also lack self confidence, I live with family, and I work fast food. Currently deciding on whether to go back to school or just stick with crap jobs and welfare. Here's the thing: Dating stresses me out and depresses me. I dont feel like I have much of a chance, and the stress is so much Im considering giving up and either being alone or try dating men. I feel like it's not normal to be this shy and maybe I should just give up and move on. I don't want pity, I want real honest answers. Im tired of false hope and constant failure. Does someone like me stand a chance in the dating world or should I just move on? Is it normal to feel this way? What are some good icebreakers and tips to overcome this issue?

A recent experience with a girl made me re-think my life choices and how i should approach women or understand their words.

We knew each other for about 6 months and then dated for another 4 months, all was good and she wanted twice to know what are we and where are we heading, at first i was as confused as her, but the second time i told her i like her too and i feel that what we have can become something more serious, meaningful and bring us closer in a relationship, she nodded with agreement and seemed to like my words.

fast forward a little more than a month and she started drifting away till she finally broke up with me, she was really sweet and nice about it and told me iam not lacking in anyway but we are "Different" , i was nice and never tried hurting her or forcing her to stay , but thats not what made me confused... i thought i was advancing a bit too slow (even told her that i am taking things slowly ) but when she broke up with me she said that things happened too fast, scared her and she just didn't see the point in turning it into anything more serious according to her words... this is a girl who has been crushing on me (by her own words) for a year and a half and stalked me online, purused me to give her another chance when i thought she was uninterested and moved on , and when we dated admitted that she wants it to work out and she wants to be with and she has feelings with me... i shared the same feelings as her and made it clear i wanted her as much as she wanted me (Not in a needy clingy way, iam not like that ) ... yet she ended up leaving me...

p. s : iam a college student and pretty decent and smart and funny so not boring, also the intimacy was good