HEY MIKE! Recently all of my friends have started going out with girls. But I’ve never been on a date. When the guys talk about girls they plan to ask out, I begin feeling awkward. I know they’re not trying to bug me, but they are. Got any ideas?
— A.E., Lancaster, Pa.
It feels weird to be left out, especially when all your friends are comfortable with something that may give you anxiety (like dating).
First, I want to get something straight with you: Being “girl-less” does not mean you’re any less of a guy. Despite what your friends are doing, it’s okay to not date. The truth is, you’re not weird at all!
When it comes to the whole guy/girl thing, each person is on a different timeline. In fact, some teens have decided not to date at all.
Listen to what Josh of El Paso, Texas, told Breakaway: “I don’t believe in dating. I’ve been ridiculed by Christians and non-Christians about this, but I don’t need any more temptations in my life. I’m not ready to get married, so why even flirt with the idea? God is the Creator of the Universe, so it’s nothing for Him to send me my true wife when the time is right.”
Daniel of Charlottesville, Va., shared another view: “Right now I think it’s better to go out in groups. It’s safer, and it’s more fun. Going out one-on-one can be boring. I think of girls as just friends.”
My advice: Take your time. Dating is a decision that’s up to you, your parents and the Lord.
One more thing. If you feel comfortable doing this, let your friends know that you’ve decided to go slow with relationships. And when the topic turns to dating, take charge and change it. If that’s impossible, take a deep breath and remind your brain of what I said earlier: Being girl-less doesn’t make you any less of a guy. 
