What would be your advice to me?

Old habits are hard to break and I consider how one behaves around others and their own social practices something of a habit. I was a very shy person for most of my life and I went through school and really didn't become more outgoing until late in college. I overcame my shyness by gravitating towards people in organizations and clubs that had similiar interests. From there, I branched out into participating in more activities and, eventually, I just became more socailly secure and very "comfortable in my own skin". A big step for me was to get involved with others in makeshift study groups, or sessions before tests or clinicals, and my peers became more like friends and treated me differently. After that, when I would see them in cl, on campus or out in public, they would always greet me and I really felt accepted. I hope that you are able to make friends and that you can build confidence. As a man, I can tell you that you should not have any difficulty meeting a man provided that he's available. Most men, when approached by a woman, are very straightforward and if extended an invitation to go have a coffee (or something like that) after you have started talking to them, will respond in kind. I can tell you that men don't pick up on really subtle hints and signs and I think this is what most women don't understand. Also, remember: it's perfectly normal for females to initiate contact now. In fact, a lot of guys ume that most women are already taken so just casually start talking to a man that you have some potential interest in. I think you'll find that, once you get the ball rolling, things will take off from there (if he's single and heteroual). I wish you the best of luck and I hope that my advise helps you. You sound like a very intelligent women with much to offer so get out there and take some steps towards connecting with others.