So some background on me, I'm a 23 y/o 223lb virgin, which fucks with me a bit mentally, it really does get to me even though I know it shouldn't and it really shouldn't matter.

I used to be a major introvert, high school and the bit of college I went through was video games video games video games, I gave no fucks about other shit, I wouldn't talk to people unless they talked to me unless I was good friends with them. In fact there was this hot chick I used to go to high school with that I saw at a bar a couple of weeks ago, was with other high school buddies, and that's exactly what she called me on, she said something along the lines of "you could hold a conversation if people would talk start talking to you, but you just wouldn't initiate"

That's still sort of my problem, I can go, I can hold a great conversation with people, once I actually get going I'm golden. But like it's not that I'm afraid to go up to people I guess I psyche myself out, if I have an in, I can jump in no problem and be confident, but if I have to go on my own I just don't really see the point. I can notice reactions fine, I can observe what my drinking buddy does and tell him what he did wrong/when the chick got disinterested and filtered him out, however I can't do shit on my own.

I know I should probably just man the fuck up and start talking to people, I love going to bars and clubs and shit, I no longer just sit at home playing video games, my introvert days are behind me and I want to fully embrace my extroverted side, but I can't seem to break through that last barrier, any advice? Sorry this turned a lot more ranty but yea.