Search Results: fear of rejection

I'm a 23F, about to be 24, still in college. Though I've been asked out before, not by the right guys, I'd never had a first date. I never had a boyfriend. I have a specific type/look in men that I'm attracted to. But the guys I would seem interested in are either not interested in me or they are not aware of my interest in them. I'm quite quirky in appearance, personality. But I'm very smart, curious, open minded and observant (If you're curious as to why I look like, you can go to this link If I'm pretty like people tell me, how come guys don't ask me out?

I'm also usually forward when speaking with others. After a guy who I fell for didn't return his feelings, I shut out and stopped approaching guys and showing interest, in fear of rejection and just encountering the obvious. It took me months to get over him.

A lot of people in my age bracket are already in relationships, engaged or married. And it seems like they're all pretty much the same in personality, style, common interests and friends. I feel like the odd one out without any experience or proposals. I was raised in the Midwest, but I currently live in the deep south. So that might explain a lot. This not only feels odd to me, but like it's too soon for everyone to be married this young. I want to be in a relationship, but I feel like I'm too weird or quirky for men to handle or to be attracted to. Like I just turn them off right from the start of the conversation or minutes into. So I just keep quiet and too myself, unless someone interesting enough catches my eye. I don't like to waste my time with people who aren't gonna make time for me, benefit me or who I see as fake and toxic. Pretty valid, is it not? I know what I want and what I'm looking for, but I'm open for something different to me.

Could anyone give me any ideas as to why? And if you are or have been through what I'm going through, please give your story. Thank you!