I’m 31 and I’ve never so much as had a kiss, no relationships, nothing. I don’t want to continue in this way forever, I’m hoping someday I can start dating. I’ve been going to therapy for over a year in the aims of improving myself and my self esteem to where I could date. I’ve also been taking medication for depression for two years now, which has helped a lot.

A big concern of mine going forward is that I don’t want to burden anyone with my lack of experience. Frankly I’ll basically need someone to teach me how to be a partner. Most people don’t have the patience for me and I don’t expect them to. How do I signal my inexperience and that I’ll need someone willing to take things slow? I almost feel like I should broadcast it on my online dating profile, but I’m worried I’ll scare off someone who might think differently if they knew me.

To be perfectly honest, I’m still probably a ways off from dating. I still live with my parents and so does my brother and his family; seven people in a 1,700sq house; I don’t get much privacy. I have a full time “essential” job that doesn’t pay well enough for me to move out. I feel both my job and my housing needs to change before I can imagine dating.