A Menagerie of Questions

Hello reddit! I need some help. I’m about to turn 18 in a few days, and I guess I just need some advice.

Honestly I just have so many questions that I don’t know who to ask and/or what to say. To start, I’ve never had a boyfriend or been on a date. How do you know they were right for you? How do you make first dates not awkward or stale? What are some red flags that can easily be missed? I really want to test the waters and start dating, but how do I know it’s too early? What do guys like?

I’ve always been told I’m an old soul, which I agree with for the most part. I’m an average person, but I am a very nervous person. I get stuck in my head and don’t realize I’m being silent ?. Also, I don’t mind if I don’t start dating right away. I am focused pretty much on my career and my future, but I just want to be prepared for when I start dating.

I am confident in my abilities, and have been working hard to cope with my overthinking. For the past couple years, I’ve pulled my head out of the clouds and focused on myself and my future. I have never felt so confident in myself and my abilities. I just overthink everything and feel like I have to know everything when trying something new, if that makes sense. Also, it’s not like my parents and grandma aren’t there for me to talk to. I love them with all of my heart, I’ve just never really talked to them about boys or dating.

I guess I just need some advice. (TL;DR I’m clueless about dating and social life in general)