Buddy, we're peas in a pod. I find myself in nearly the exact same situation.

I went to a concert last night with friends and I end up sitting next to this girl who was giving me obvious signs for hours to talk to her. She made idle remarks with me, put her hand on my shoulder while we were singing, swayed into me with the music; I feel like an idiot describing all this because all I did was laugh nervously and tell her to have a good night at the end of it. I was just too caught up in the show and beer to catch on and I was slow to realize.

On the ride home I was already beating myself up about it. I was in a slump all day today. But it's alright man, we'll spend a few days ruminating and then learn from it. I also have lacking social skills, so it should be no surprise when people like you or I fail to make those connections with charm and tact on our first few encounters. Like all skills, it'll take practice and experiences like the ones you and I just had to grow and turn us into the version of ourselves that we want to be.

But you should feel happy about the progress you've made. Putting on a fresh you and doing things on your own is already a massive achievement. I've being doing road trips, camping, and going to events solo for the last couple years and each experience makes me prouder and gives me confidence. Be glad and recognize the accomplishments you've made, not lament over the things you've yet to achieve.

I also happen to be going to my first concert solo next month. I don't know about you, but it's comforting to know that there's other people out there working on the same goals and fighting the same fight as me. Maybe I said a lot of things that you already knew, but I think I typed this out for me as much as I did for you.

We'll be alright man!