You've started to go out. You've done quite a few approaches, maybe for 2-6 months, but you have yet to get a number, to close in some way. But finally, one day, you get a number. You're thrilled, she's actually your type, and cannot believe that this pickup thing actually works. You text her, she texts you back. Wow, amazing! She's actually interested in me! After a few texts, you realize she's not only your type—you actually like this girl and would be actually interested in hanging out with her.

But then, she stops texting you. What happened? Maybe she's busy. So you wait. But after a day there's still no text from her. Did her phone break? Who knows. You start wondering what could have happened. You vibed with her so well, why would she stop texting you? You start getting desperate, needy. You start looking at your phone every 15 minutes, then after a few times of doing this you say "fuck it, I don't care," but after a few hours of pretending you don't care you start obsessively looking at your phone again. "Should I text her? But that would look needy. I can't show neediness. But I am needy right now. We got along so well! Why is this happening?"

You feel anxious, then angry, then anxious again. You try to accept that she won't text you back, but the prospect of having to go back in the field and get another phone number drains you emotionally. "Getting this number took me so long," you say to yourself, "how long will it be till I can get another one?" You question if doing this whole pickup thing in worth it. "I thought I could finally relax, I could finally just enjoy some time with a girl I like," you think. But now all of that is out the window, because she went cold on you.

This, my friends who are starting, is the journey you signed up for. This emotional rollercoaster is pickup. You cannot get better or become the alpha person you want to become without these moments, moments that will drain you emotionally, that will make you wanna quit and go back to watching porn, that will make you angry and hopeless. These moments are the moments that, looking back, you will be thankful for. These moments are the highlights of your journey. So persevere, welcome these moments, and appreciate the journey for what it is.