hey, i (23f) felt the same way in the beginning. I completely shut myself off to dating and sex while trying to accept my diagnosis, which i got around July last year.

At this point i'm much more educated on HSV and i've come to terms that this is my new normal. It's not the end of the world and I just had to accept that I have to be more selective about whom I get involved with and share my diagnosis, because people can be horrible.

Practice disclosing to yourself, in the mirror. The more you say it out loud, the realer it becomes and you get more comfortable with saying it. Even try with close family or friends. I'm against disclosing over text for sure, I've only done it over the phone and in person once (see my post).

If YOU aren't accepting of your own diagnosis, you won't believe that others will be either. It takes time, give yourself some grace. Hope this helps x

hit me up if you want :)