I know this may seem like a trivial problem in the grand scheme of things - as it should be - I just can't get my brain to look at it like that.

I'm 24 years old, never had a girlfriend but I've always been the "social" type, in high school/college I was socially active, always going out. Now, I am still socially active although I suffer from social anxiety and a fear of intimacy. I just cannot talk to or interact with females whom are close to me in age - regardless of if I perceive them attractive, although, it's even worse if I think they are attractive. I have no problem talking to other women (older, etc.) or others. I feel like women around my age are always judging me, even though I know this is not true. I would love to get close to a woman or even have some in my life, regardless of a relationship or friendship. I am at that point in life where I am establishing my own life, path, career etc. and it would be good to start talking to women once I move away.

For example, I've had plenty of girls call me cute, hot, etc., and (I am not sure how much this matters) get matches on tinder all the time, I just cannot find the confidence to actually meet women from there. I know I am not an ugly looking guy - not in a cocky way, either, I'm just pointing out

I am 100% sure I suffer from a fear of intimacy - I am afraid to get close to women. However, I cannot get close to them if I can't even talk to them...

The past 2 months I've really started to make changes in my life. I started to focus on my goals of becoming a web developer, kept my habit up of going to the gym, changed my diet and sleeping schedule, vitamins, supplements, stopped smoking weed (only at night time right before bed now) and stopped using drugs, I used to have a bad opiate problem - which I completely kicked and am very proud of myself for that, and I thought much of my anxiety around women was coming from that use, but it wasn't and I haven't noticed a change in my anxiety levels much.

Right now, I am reading Models by Mark Manson, as well as RooshV's book Bang and Daybang- I have a few other self-help books I plan to read after as well. I would really like to get a book on flirting and having conversations with women.

My problem is that I cannot for the life of me talk to females and much of this problem comes from the fact that my face turns very red and I blush a lot, which leads to sweating, nervous talking, jumbled thoughts, etc. etc. and I essentially start acting like I am socially inept - which I am not. I notice this happens even worse when I am inside vs. outside. I know people say "just don't pay attention to it, forget about it and don't try to control the blushing" but once I get in these situations, my brain gets into this fight or flight mode.

Sorry for the post. How do I get over this issue and how do I actually talk to or approach women?