So, coming from a troubled past with only sexual experience and no love for any female other than my mom, what is the best way to start a relationship? It's a complicated past that has led to trust issues, and feeling the pain of loss before ever feeling the joy that allegedly comes from women in a way of companionship and "love", which I have yet to experience.

I quit screwing around several months ago, got tested clean, and do NOT plan on going back to that lifestyle, I am now looking for more and I have never been on a date, nor had a girlfriend for more than about...four hours?

To be specific, when I was 15 years old my closest friend of over 10 years shot himself in the heart, for an open casket for his mom over an ex girlfriend. So, I was like, nah screw that. And, it was with my gun that I shouldn't have even had. Bottled that up for 3 years, lost two more friends one to homicide, then to suicide, got diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and actually lost my virginity in a behavioral institute with a crazy chick who cuts herself because voices tell her to...then started screwing around randomly. Wierd or what? lol

Mmm...your past few threads are always about you. Maybe try the opposite approach...?

Not as weird as you might think. The best way to approach relationships (I learned the hard way) is to move slowly. Pick someone that you like at the start, make friends first, let the relationship grow, and take the time and effort to buy some relationship books for bi-polars. Sadly, most bi-polar relationships fail but they fail for mostly the same reasons. Educate yourself.

We've all had chit to put up with, some choose to feel sorry for themselves, some choose to be stronger.

The decision is yours.

yep I agree with joe.boy have I been thru some shyte in my life but it don't define me.what don't kill ya makes ya stronger

Well, you both are absolutely right! So, now that I've decided to let it make me stronger, I am left with a blank slate with nothing on it lol

u will be fine just relax and let things happen.usually u find someone when u r not looking lol so good luck

Yeah I do need to relax about everything really. Going through a career change, leaving a good paying job that I hated for a job that pays $600 less per month but that I enjoy, having to give up the car I'm making payments on and buy one out right with accumulated retirement check, and single and looking all at once. Perhaps it should be put on hold?

Honestly, I believe if you go searching for love/companionship, you will miss it. It is when you are honest and relaxed with yourself that others in the same position will notice. Then the relationship will build. Be cautious, one will fall harder faster, which will cause an issue. If you both can make it through that, your love will bloom.

This is the best advice you can get read it and apply it.
If a person goes searching for love then most likely they will be so busy searching they will miss it.
Take some time to get to know who you are and what you really are looking for instead of doing a shotgun effect. It may surprise you.

You have so much going on right now til you are settled in our own space I think very well could be a rebound effect maybe not romantically but with life in general.

You may not believe it, you have all the time in the world enjoy it

Good luck and best wishes