Hi, little background, longtime lurker on Seddit, introvert and never talked to a girl in a long time by myself.

So i was at the gym today, training my back. when i went in i saw a cute girl probably mid 20s walk past by me and we had short eye contact and that was that.

i go downstairs to proceed with my training for 30-45 minutes. as i go back up she's there as well, doing some exercises and our eyes lock for a few seconds and gives me a smile, i give her one back. Immediately the thought comes up of approaching her and having a talk. but because my always mind freezes up thinking about it i couldn't do it. so i just go to the back of the room and do some random exercises thinking whether or not i should do it. as i'm doing my thing she keeps looking back and giving me quick smiles and i keep saying to myself"Just go up to her and say how lovely she looks today".

as i looked at myself in the mirror i looked at myself and imagined myself turning around and talking to her. I told myself after she's done with her set i'll walk up to her and talk to her when she was done that's what i did. This is how it went done: Me:Hi, i just wanted to say you have a lovely appearance. Her:Oh, why thank you! Me: What's your name? Her:Sonya me:Puts out hand Hi, i'm Kevin. Me:I like your tattoo, what's the meaning behind it? Her:Well it's for my baby whom i had for a few years and it represents her being in my womb. I also have one on my back. Do you have any tattoos? Me:no, i think i wouldn't be satisfied with it after some time and i'd want to change it, don't you ever have that thought? Her:I usually think a long about it taking one, like this one, i've been thinking about this one for 5 years me:Oh wow, 5 years,that's really long, and what about the other one on your back. Her:Giggles, that one is a bit more private. me:Well, it was nice talking to you,bye Her:it was nice yeah, bye.

I left after that and felt so great, not because i thought the convo went great, which it didn't, but because i actually did it and i learned quite some stuff when i was done talking to her.

What i got out from this that approaching isn't that scary as i thought. on the other hand i do feel i should've walked up to her the second i saw her. My mind freezes and i feel blank, do any of you guys how to get rid of that. Anyway i feel great that i finally did this but i feel i had a hard time keeping the convo going which is the reason closed it so quickly, you guys have any tips for that?

Feedback is appreciated.