Hello guys,

This will be my first post on this sub. I stumbled across it a few days back and took interest in it.

I used to practice pick-up a lot when I was younger. Shared the knowledge with many of my friends. Some of which went on to become exceptional PUA’s.

The one thing I’ve struggled with tremendously over the years is ‘reading the signs’. A girl could be wearing a shirt TELLING ME that she likes me and I’d still miss it. I don’t know know why I overlook so many of the social cues, but I do. Often times even mistaking certain cues for points of interest. Sadly, it’s starting to reflect not only on my dating life, but my self-confidence and it’s starting to run me down a little.

So I’ve been out of the game for years and really feel as though I’ve lost that ‘battery’ that I once had in my back.

Trying to get my life back together, I started back at the gym this month; taking it one day at a time. I noticed there’s this girl I see there some mornings. We don’t know each other, but we “know of” each other — if that makes sense?

We’ve never spoken but we would see each other there years ago. She’s very attractive and a little out of my league if I’m being honest. Partially why I don’t know if I’m being ridiculous or not.

We had one or two strange interactions in the past. One I recall where I was out partying with friends. On the drive home, I’m stopped at the lights and I look to my side; it’s the same girl sitting in the car next to me, looking directly at me. Just staring. I saw her and quickly looked away.

For the record: I don’t drink alcohol so I would often drive after our nights out.

So I start back gym-training this month and I’m cooling down on one of the treadmills. I look up and notice that same girl for the first time in years. There’s mirrors all around the room and as I look up, she’s staring directly at me in the reflection. She quickly looks startled and averts her gaze. I didn’t realise it was her at first. I thought it may have been another girl I matched with on a dating app — which in my eyes explained why she looked so startled when I caught her looking at me. But no, it was the same girl from years ago.

A few days later back at the gym, I’m talking to one of the workers there in the weights-room and she walks - almost - between us and starts grabbing some stuff right in front of me. It was a little strange because I noticed she was vaguely smiling as she stood in front of me, looking downwards. Her friend was also staring at me prior to this.

A few more days pass and I have one of the most awkward encounters I’ve ever had. As I’m walking in to the gym room, she’s walking out. We’re passing by each other — no more than 1-2 metres apart. I look up and notice her walking out and she’s looking at me. So I look back at her, we lock eyes and hold our gaze, literally with our heads turning as we are walking by each other. I thought “f*** it, don’t look away”. It must’ve been about 3-4 seconds. IT FELT LIKE 3-4 HOURS. I found it so embarrassing. Neither of us would break our gaze. I don’t like to stare or make people feel uncomfortable, so I rarely make extended eye contact with people I don’t interact with, especially in passing. I said “hello” to her, literally as she turned away. She had earphones in so I’m assuming she didn’t hear me.

Do you think that maybe she’s interested in me in some way? I wouldn’t mind talking to her one day if the opportunity presents itself, I just would rather gain a second opinion before I attempt to open her up for conversation.

I’m not too worried about my approach, just whether it would be worth it or not. People tend to describe me as a very relaxed, personable guy and I get on with pretty much everyone I interact with. The majority of women that have liked me over the years have been more drawn in by my character than my appearance. It is what it is.

What do you guys think? As I mentioned prior, she’s very attractive, so I don’t know if I’m being foolish.

Apologies if this sounds stupid in anyway. I’ve been out of the game for a long time and I think I’m afraid of misreading something again.

Thank you.