Hi there,

There’s no set age or time that someone has to start dating. It’s all about what you want and feel comfortable with. You should never feel pressured by what other people say.

Whether you want to start a relationship is a personal decision. For some, relationships are really important, for others they may never actually want one. If meeting someone or being in a relationship is important to you, there are things you can do.

Feeling confident about yourself and who you are is a big part of being less shy and more able to meet people. Confidence isn’t always about changing how you look. Sometimes it can just be learning to notice the things you like and focusing less on the things you don’t. When you learn to act confidently, it can change how others see you and how you see yourself. We’ve got lots of advice on ways to build yourself up.

Even when you don’t want to be in a relationship, working on your confidence can help. Knowing what you want and feeling okay about that can make it easier if others are talking about what they want.

It can also help to remember that what others say about being sexually active isn’t always true. People might exaggerate or make up something that’s happened because of the same pressure you’re feeling. This doesn’t mean you should disbelieve people, but it can help when you’re feeling pressured to keep up with something that might not exist.

Remember, you’re your own person and it’s okay to focus on yourself and what you want. If you’re ever struggling with that, Childline is here to help.

Take care,

Sam