A self-help guide for the emotional man-

 These are the things that single and happy you would tell to dating and hormonal you if he weren't doped out on love highs and confusion, and what's important to remember here, is he'd be right.

1 - You should not try to be passive - When you inevitably get frustrated with your own emotions you will say "Fine! I'll just feign not caring about anything, so that my emotions don't screw things up." This is only half right, because while you realize you're being overly emotional - you aren't finding a good way to handle it so you try to fake passivity. All those pent up emotions left unrecognized will only manifest in other ways. You will question every glance she gives you, how she opens the mayonnaise and how many of your of your recent Facebook statuses she has liked.

2 - Don't be controlling - So you really like a girl, and it seems a little like she really likes you too. But what if she doesn't like you that much, or maybe the other scumbags she hangs out with are after your girl. You gotta protect what's important to you!  ...Okay - listen. If she's not that into you there is nothing on this green earth you can control into changing that. Forcing her not to hang out with an old ex boyfriend that came through town will inevitably hurt you in the end. She wants you to be positive and confident - not needy and easily depressed. Keep in mind that it is important for you to let her know when something really bothers you - but DO NOT use language that will inevitably force her to do what you want. Use soft language that reflects both side's perspective "I'll be honest, I don't like the idea, but I know you have your reasons - so, it's up to you."

3 - Stop trying to convince people that you are a catch - Just, stoooop. Telling people you work in a soup kitchen is a lot less cool than very casually inviting them to come volunteer at a soup kitchen. Okay - maybe you don't work at a soup kitchen...but the idea is that the other person needs to feel like they're discovering who you are -- not being told

4 - Stop taking advice from everyone!!! - okay, let me rephrase, stop taking advice from anyone. And just to be clear, I mean stop letting what everyone around you says and does affect your attitude towards anything. Your parents can be the occasional exception to this - occasional (or maybe ONE other person). When things get confusing, you start begging to absorb all the neediness of everyone around you, then you direct it in one concentrated beam at your significant other. BAD idea

5 - Stop making yourself overly vulnerable (especially too soon in the relationship) - You're a sincere guy, a good guy, a nice guy. It's so nice to feel a connection with someone, so now you want to go and bear your soul - no. Don't do it. Baaaby steps. The other person will have their own style of communication and pace for trusting. Let the person with the slower pace set the pace. This is just good advice, but if your gut (not to be confused with your hormonal heart) tells you to do something else - trust it.

For best results - read this first while single - take note of how true everything is - reapply as needed.