My coping mechanism for dealing with the prospect of being turned down by attractive women can be self immolatingly toxic: reminding myself repeatedly that even if not already taken, they know other men in their lives who are relentlessly excellent so what the hell could I offer them at all?

After all, the guys I know who got a woman at a younger age and moved on to another if they broke up possess unrivalled, unstoppable confidence from having made more money at an earlier age, moved into their own house/flat which demonstrates financial independence and generally have their shit together. They may run their own business, have won awards and can live the life that a woman wants to be part of. (I’m still trying to match that standard but there are just so many pieces to assemble and time is running out fast).

Also, I usually believe that a woman is rejecting me because she magically sees the worst in me, so I generally end up running this thought through my mind for years after: If you were any good she would have given you a chance.

Sometimes, rejection by someone great makes you reject yourself. I would advise others not to fall into the same trap because it is a dark, lonely place.