I am a fairly confident person. I struggle with social anxiety and the occasional bout of low self esteem, but overall I carry myself well.

However, my mind freaks out every time I stop to talk to a girl on the street and I feel her defences come up. Yes I know this is totally normal, who wouldn't, especially a young pretty girl, but it makes me feel really uncomfortable and I kind of want to get out of there. What can I do to work past that feeling?

...I guess I could make it a minor mantra of mine that her defences will initially go up but that's totally normal so don't worry about it.