By this point I've consumed so much fucking social skills/ PUA related content I could run my own seminar... and honestly probably offer valuable advice to people...but when it comes time for me to put theory into practice I find that I'm just too harsh on myself, and I still want people to think of me in a certain way.

It's often said that you should judge an interaction not by the sentiment of the other person but by how truthfully you expressed yourself, that it hardly even matters what comes out of your mouth, that the critical nature you see in others is often just a projection of your own inner critic, that rejection builds character, that not everyone is going to like you...but that you should operate as though they do until they prove otherwise etc.

I don't disagree with any of this advice...but when It comes time to approach a girl or just have any interaction...I still feel pressured to be this charming, hilarious, intelligent figure...because I know I can be in certain situations...which causes me to overthink everything and sometimes avoid interactions completely.

Clearly my ego is still getting in my way.

I've never been rejected relentlessly... ghosted and blocked a few times online...but only 1 or 2 minor rejections in person.

To put it in unnecessary poetic terms...does your fortress have to fall before it can be rebuilt stronger than before?

Should I almost be seeking rejection at this stage?