So I've been reading this subreddit for a few weeks now, read a bunch of amazing articles and positive, insightful comments, and I've decided to change my life. I say my life because most of the things learned here would help with everyday life too, such as going for an interview, meeting new people and even just being more sociable with the people from work I don't necessarily work with.

So this is the reason I'm posting; I've decided I'm making those changes, and I very much know ill take things slow, smiling and nodding to everyone and making eye contact, but every time I try this, my hand immediate goes to my pocket and fetches my phone, and I end up pretending to look at wtv is on the screen. Right now, I'm on a bus, and this cute girl is looking at me and smiling, and I've made eye contact a few times, but even though I've decided to change, here I am typing this. It is so frustrating, and I'm the only one doing this to myself. Once I meet someone and have a few chats, I am ridiculously comfortable and can talk for hours, but I'm so shy at first that it usually prevents me from getting those few chats in.

Is there any advice on stopping my instinct which is to grab my phone? Seems like a small thing to kick, but it's really not... I figure once I conquer that I won't have an excuse. But there always is, isn't there.