By self-report you’ve been around the block so you can do as you please for all I care, but I legit feel bad for the young OP who’s so nervous and scared of being in a relationship at 22. I feel bad for him, because I remember being anxious in my own ways, and it didn’t serve me well. When I eventually got over myself, I made mistakes, and I learned, but I regret the time spent in my own head.

One thing I never did was something I saw some friends do, which was the whole “online relationship” thing. It was usually limited by distance, and sometimes they’d meet IRL, and if I asked or observed my friend would seem happy, but from the bleachers it was also clear that it wasn’t built to last, in large part because it was principally non-present.

Not saying people can’t meet online, become friends online, sustain a relationship long distance (temporarily), or even develop some level of emotional intimacy online, but it’s mediated by its nature, and the physical experience is always intrinsically more complete. I’m sure there are people whose most fulfilling relationships have been remote and that’s lovely, but also I think it would suck if OP finally got the guts to go for only a half-measure and see it limp along, diverting his time and emotional energy into something that calls itself a relationship but can only really be the prelude to one at best. He’d be better off getting out of his house, finding any third space, and just hanging out. Should help him with the anxiety at least.