I'm an 18 years old dude from Northern Europe.

A bit of a background :

About 11 years of my life now, all I've done is play video games to a high level, and obviously, it's an addiction. However, in the past 2 weeks - I haven't played a single game. In this time I have started properly eating (I was too skinny) by learning how to cook, I go to the gym 6 days a week, I sleep well, I put in more work in my future career (graphic design) and I've become a LOT more tidier. I honestly feel pretty damn happy with the progress that I have made, and I feel good.

Now, considering the fact that most of my life (and still, but I really enjoy my own company) I've been sitting at home surfing the net and playing video games, I may be lacking in some areas when it comes to the social dynamics. I have a really good loyal group of friends, hell, I'm even in the "popular" (Yeah, I cringed a bit typing that, but it might give you a better understanding of the situation), I'm a super funny guy and I'm even pretty good looking. I can hold a conversation pretty damn well and even look people in the eyes, but the question usually is - "Do I even want to talk to people?" You see, I might be "alone", but I'm not lonely, I like my solitude and I can spend a week in my home if needed (and 1-2 days out in people usually starts to agitate me), and I'm honestly happy since I can dedicate that time to my own interests. However, obviously this introvert-ness has some flaws as well.

I generally feel like I don't "need" a girl in my life, especially when I'm still battling some of my past problems, and since this will be last year of my school, maybe it's worth focusing more on other things. That said, I do feel like it could be even more fun to get properly laid in parties or whatever or if I see someone I want to date, then just do it. Not to mention going through this now will make it a lot more easier and make me ready when the right moment comes.

Problem is - Right now, I can't. I don't feel comfortable enough to just strike a conversation out of nowhere with someone who I don't know who is in the midst of their friends or even if they are alone. the fear of rejection is still there, as well as some other things from the past. I've only had 2 girlfriends so far, and both have been "asked out" a bit differently than some would say the norm. One was via 2 months playing video games together, and the other one was over text because she didn't arrive to the prom ball where I wanted to ask her out "normally".

Now, I know what the solution is - JUST APPROACH. But hey, even if you say it's "that simple", it's a bit more complicated than that (and PLEASE don't say it's "still that simple", cause that will not help me do it, believe me). I'm not against doing that, but I feel like I need to do it gradually (or maybe there is some better advice regarding that).

So, what I'm thinking is - I need to get more "comfortable" with random people by approaching with maybe some silly stuff, or just complimenting them or something. I feel like I might be able to do that, but I'm not sure it will help.

So yeah, what exactly does a guy like me need to do in this situation?

Thank you for reading.