Between reading this sub and posting in AskTrp I've broken through a lot of barriers that were due to my anxieties/frame of mind. I'm not as afraid of rejection, the fear is still there a little - but I tell myself it's more excitement.

Anyway, I had been failing miserably for awhile and had decided to take a break from approaching for awhile when it happened for me. I randomly got a phone number and began with basic texting. Keeping things simple and not always replying instantaneously really helps pace things out. Ended up having a great time on our first "hang out" and have been seeing her at least twice a week for a little over a month. It's like all she wants to do is make me happy in bed.

And when I screwed up and was blowing up her phone with calls and texts I just said "sorry for being douchy I didn't want you to think I lost interest." And she said she still liked me, so that was maybe a bit lucky that I didn't turn her off by being needy. But maybe valueable to know you can turn it around if you make yourself look too vulnerable? IDK.

Also, I've always been looking for a sort of companion-type relationship to hang out with and not just hook up. Really not sure if I've got a good match for that, but so far my exoerience has been a much-needed stress relief and kind of the only "experience" I've had that wasn't alcohol fueled debauchery after a party so I'm much more confident in "being myself."