I've met dozens (but not enough) of amazing women in my lifetime but FZ myself all the time so this writing totally resonates.

I'm naturally uncomfortable with showing interest in anyone because the chances of being turned down are too high. Every time I got burned, I was so humilated for allowing myself to make any move that I developed more standards of proof to be sure of them (some may say 'excuses') that I hold back most of the time.

Apart from most of the attractive women being taken already, there's also the issue of not having the same level of professional achievements as the woman you like. I may know an attractive woman who's become partner in a law firm at a young age or one who is a doctor... but I would feel intense guilt at being attracted to them or asking them out because I haven't done anything close to their milestones like running my own business or being a manager in my office.

To even consider escalating the relationship would make me look presumptuous and selfish because they could date someone who's made it bigger in his life at an earlier age. I just don't want to look like I'm dragging them down. Whatever I have done to improve myself may simply be not enough or not even benefit them.