COVID KEEPING ME A VIRGIN AT 24 AND I’M LOW Coleen says

Dear Coleen

I’m a 24-year-old woman and I’m still a virgin. I’ve messed around with guys sexually, but never had full sex and it’s not looking good at the moment with all the rules and regulations around meeting people.

I feel really down about it because just about everyone I know is in a relationship and, the ones who aren’t have still had sex!

I’m not brilliant at talking to guys – I get nervous and tongue-tied – but I’d love to be in a relationship. I just don’t know how to do it.

Can you help?

Yep, Covid is definitely the enemy of dating. First of all, don’t panic – you have plenty of time to find a partner. Look at it this way, it’s exciting because you’ve got it all ahead of you.

I’m sure you’ve had the opportunity to lose your virginity in the past, but it can’t have felt right to you at the time.

You’re obviously looking for someone you connect with and don’t want to just get it done with some random one-night stand. Don’t feel ashamed about that.

But what you have to be careful about is building this up so it becomes a much bigger issue than it is. Try to put it out of your mind and focus on connecting with people and enjoying getting to know them.

And realise that we all get nervous when it comes to dating, so the best thing you can do is be yourself and talk to a date like you’d talk to your mate.

Covid might have put the brakes on meeting guys in a bar, but you could sign up to dating sites. It might help build your confidence.