Why do I always become so nervous around members of the opposite sex?
I’m not exactly “experienced” in the relationship department, but I get along with guys real well. When it comes to friendship and flirting, I don’t feel an ounce of anxiety around them. But as soon as my romantic interest is reciprocated, or if a guy expresses interest in spending time together–I freak out! I get so worried about what to say to him, how to act, etc. I’m typically genuinely interested in the guys I flirt with… In the end, I tend to sabotage the relationship before it can even begin. And I know this isn’t fair to the other person (I’ve been accused of leading on or teasing in the past).
Take this one person, for example. We met months ago, and since day one there's been this undercurrent of flirtation within all of our conversations. During this past summer holiday, we've been sending e-mails back and forth, discussing travels, current events, and so on. Recently, he expressed an interest in chatting in person once we're both in the same town this fall, and I've done so also. But today he asked if I was in town yet, and gave me his phone number! I'm not sure what to "say" to him...Even though I really would like to see him, I'm afraid that my current anxiousness will only increase once we're face-to-face. At the moment I'm geographically unavailable, but I feel like I need to respond to him timely. I just wish I could relax!