"I want a boyfriend." Maybe it's a thought that flashes in and out of your mind every once in a while. Or, maybe you're on a dire mission to turn your crush into your partner.

Whatever your motivation may be, learning how to get a boyfriend is the first step on the path to romantic bliss.

The days of waiting for a guy to approach you are over. While playing hard-to-get may help to pique his interest, sometimes taking action is the right move. After all, it's no secret that men can be seriously clueless when it comes to affairs of the heart.

Before you start planting the seeds that will make your romantic life flourish, it's important that you have the right mindset. Not every relationship starts out like a fairy tale.

As you read on, remember that not every single word is going to apply to you. If you read something that doesn't connect, don't try to force it. Take the information that's truly valuable to you, and leave the rest.

6 Reasons Why You Don't Have A Boyfriend

If you're ready to stop thinking, "I want a boyfriend" and make your dream a reality, it's time to pinpoint exactly why you don't have a boyfriend yet.

Of course, there are endless reasons why you may not be partnered up, and it's important that you don't blame yourself. Romance can be tricky, and sometimes letting nature take its course isn't enough.

Some self-analysis can go a long way in helping you find the right guy. Just make sure to keep it positive. Don't be hard on yourself. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being single, and a lack of boyfriend just means you have something on the horizon to look forward to.

Once you realize what's holding you back, then you can make changes that make you happy. Your personal joy is the first priority. Just because a guy isn't falling head-over-heals in love with you doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. In fact, he might just be intimidated by you!

1. You Don't Know Where to Meet Men

Are you looking for love in all the wrong places? If so, it's time to switch up your scenery. Learning where to meet men is often one of the easiest and most effective solutions for ladies trying to find their other halves.

Fortunately, these days, there are endless options available! Are you into music? Talk to that stud at your favorite band's concert. Are you into fitness? Chat up the beefcake at the treadmill.

Start by getting to know guys with the same interests as you. That way you know you have something in common, so the conversation flows much easier. While opposites may attract sometimes, you're going to have a lot more luck looking for guys in places relevant to your life. After all, you're looking for someone to share your life.

Even if you don't click with these guys romantically, you might just make a friend, and you should never underestimate the power of meeting a boyfriend through friends-of-friends! Sometimes all it takes is meeting one person who expands your friend group.

Oh, one more thing: If you're not comfortable approaching a guy IRL, there's nothing wrong with online dating!

There are plenty of great guys who are just as nervous as you, and you can form that initial connection chatting on the internet. There's literally an entire planet of people at your fingertips, and talking to some guys online can be a great way to boost your confidence before heading out into the physical world. You might even meet the man of your dreams.

2. You Don't Know How to Attract Men

If you're saying, "I want a boyfriend" to yourself, it might be because you're not quite sure how to attract men. Don't worry — a lot of guys don't know how to attract women either. It goes both ways!

The simple truth is that there are no hard rules on how to get a boy to like you. The old saying goes that mean only want "one thing," but that's (usually) not true! Guys can be attracted to kindness, intelligence, laughter, spontaneity, and compassion, just to name a few traits. 

While buying a new outfit and putting on some lipstick may seem like the natural way to attract guys — and there's absolutely nothing wrong with looking your best — the truth is that guys who want a girlfriend are looking for more than just superficial beauty. 

Yes, guys have a bad rep when it comes to love, but the truth is that the guys who only want that "one thing" aren't boyfriend material. The right guy will be attracted to you — all of you, and that includes your mind, personality, and overall demeanor.

That said, improving yourself is a great way to improve your chances of getting a boyfriend. Be honest with yourself and think about some of your not-so-attractive qualities.

Do you get frustrated easily? Try to work on your patience. Do you feel too serious all the time? Crack a joke. Self-improvement can go a long way in making guys take notice, and it'll help you to be a happier person too!

It's very important to note that while self-improvement is good, forcing yourself to become someone else is bad. There's a difference between genuine reflection and putting on a show. Making an honest effort to be the best you possible, and progress will happen naturally.

3. You Don't Know How to Flirt with a Guy

Learning how to flirt with a guy is an art. Sometimes you might be flirting hard and he doesn't even notice. Or, sometimes you might just be having a normal conversation and he thinks you're coming on to him big-time. It's complicated!

Instead of trying to woo him with your seductive ways, start off by just talking with him. If the conversation goes well, do it again. Over time, you'll start to feel more at ease with each other, and that's when it's time to turn up the heat. A playful jab on the arm or a subtle compliment are easy ways to let him know you're interested.

4. You Can't Tell if a Guy Likes You

Knowing how to tell if a guy likes you is another tough one. Some guys are direct and will proclaim their love from the highest mountain. Others may be too nervous to utter a word about it.

The road of love is often bumpy, and sometimes the "easiest" approach is also the hardest. While asking a guy if he likes you may seem like the ultimate cringe-inducing nightmare, it's actually not that bad! Even if the guy isn't interested in a relationship, he'll be flattered. And, next time, you'll be more confident asking a guy if he's into you. 

Never underestimate the power of technology and/or friends to help you discover the truth about a guy's feelings. Too scared to approach him? Shoot him a text or have one of your friends ask for you.

5. You Don't Know How to Ask a Guy Out

If you don't know how to ask a guy out, don't worry — you're not alone. In the past, it was often the guy's duty to do the asking, but those days are long over. It's important that you realize that there's absolutely nothing wrong with asking a guy out! In fact, there's a good chance you'll make his day.

There's no guaranteed-to-work method for asking a guy out. Just choose an activity and ask if he wants to join you. Done. You don't need to call it a date. Just say, "Hey, I'm going to the movies with some friends tonight. Any interest in joining?? It's that easy and you might just solve your "I want a boyfriend!" dilemma.

Again, if you're too nervous to ask him out IRL, just shoot him a message. It's a lot scarier in your mind. In practice, it's just people being people. We're social creatures. Embrace that.

6. You Don't Know How to Tell a Guy You Like Him

After you've gone out with a guy as friends, you may want to take the relationship to the next level. That means you need to know how to tell a guy you like him.

Once again, there's no guaranteed method. The best approach is to simply tell him when the time feels right. For example, let's say you're going on an evening stroll together, and you stop at a park to look at the stars for a bit. That's your cue! When the moment is right, just let it happen. Chances are, if you're feeling romantic vibes, he probably is too.

More Steps on How to Get a Boyfriend

Be sure to check out these other helpful guides on improving your love life:

  1. Learning how to play hard to get can help you boost your game.
  2. Understanding how to make him miss you is a great way to strengthen a developing relationship.
  3. Discovering how to make a guy fall in love with you isn't easy, but it's a great way to nudge him in the right direction!

In Conclusion

The key to turning your love fantasies into love realities is simply taking action. If you're saying, "I want a boyfriend" to yourself, stop thinking and start doing. Send your crush a text or go talk to him. It doesn't matter whether or not you know how to get a boyfriend if you're not proactive.

Yes, navigating the complicated world of romance is tough. At times, it can be downright excruciating. Hang in there. There are a lot of amazing guys out there, and plenty of them are looking for someone just like you.

Finally, don't settle. Repeat: Do. Not. Settle. When you're pining for the perfect partner, it's easy to overlook glaring flaws because you want love so bad. In the long run, you're only going to get hurt. Your Prince Charming exists, and when you meet him, you'll know.

In the meantime, just have some fun exploring your options. Being single is a blast! Enjoy it, and don't stress too hard about finding a boyfriend. Life has a funny way of pushing people together at the most unexpected times.