Now that my area is opening up, i'm dipping my feet back into doing approaches. I start by keeping it simple, I just try and be generally social and making situational conversation with people in the areas I'm in (gym, stores, hikes, etc).

A few days ago I was at the climbing gym working on a hard route when I noticed a cute girl watching me climb (and fall). I noticed from earlier she was a bit better than me so I asked her if she had any ideas of how to climb it. She did and her pointers worked. We started climbing together, making small talk, I couldn't see her face (mask) but her eyes seemed receptive and happy to have someone to be climbing with (as was I). Abruptly, she said he had to go as her time slot was up (covid rules require bookings). Right as I was mustering up the courage to ask for her number she beats me to it. Flattered as I am, I kinda feel like that was a beta move to let her beat me to the punch. As she was taking my number down, she asked for my last name as well (stalker much?). I honestly didn't want to give it out, not cause i was afraid of her, but more just out of principle. She gave me hers last name too.

While I am proud of myself for being more out there, I kinda lost the "lead" of the interaction. This has been a problem with relationships in the past. I start off with some cool suave, but then the simp in me always lets the girl take control. I guess maybe I just need more reps doing approaches, so I can really say what I wanna say when I wanna say it, but I feel there may be some other deep seated confidence issues holding me back from really speaking my mind in interactions with women.