I've been reading this sub for a couple years. This whole time I've been hyping myself up to do a cold approach. I have gotten better at starting random conversations and reading signals. Occasionally will compliment someone on their hair, clothing, whatever and then get into a short, neutral convo. But to this day I've never done a proper cold approach, despite going out with the specific intent to do so more times than I'd like to admit.

When I ask myself what psychologically is holding me back, what I've found is that in addition to the obvious fear of rejection or being seen as a creep, I am actually held back in large part because of my pride. I've always been the type to lay back and pick my shots (or so I tell myself) and so the idea of actually going and basically... canvassing myself to strange women seems unbearable. But I know that I have to do it. I really just need to practice the feeling of displaying interest in a woman without shame.

So- tomorrow I will go out and do a single cold approach. I'll go to a shopping area nearby and when I see a woman I'm interested in who doesn't seem too busy, I'll tell her that I thought she was really cute and I wanted to talk to her. I'll try to talk to her for a minute or two after, and if everything goes well ask her for her number. But all of that is secondary, the most important thing is just saying the line, no matter what happens.

Mainly just wrote this to hold myself accountable. Hopefully its also relatable for someone else.