I (21m) am pretty fit and my style isn't awful. I have a decent personality when I'm brave enough to show it and when I'm just myself it reciprocates.

I used to be ugly and super unhealthy, along with being insecure and bullied a LOT, I never went out or tried to meet people irl. All my exes are from like friends telling me a girls interested or dating apps. Even with all this work that I've done to become better, I'm really only as good as my reaction to a situation. I'm terrible at starting a conversation or like feeling confident when standing in front of someone I find attractive. My mind shuts down..

Everytime I see a possible prospect, I seize up and it's like I'm the same old person from HS. I really don't feel the same about myself anymore, but I really struggle to acknowledge my value in the moment. I struggle to hold my value whenever I get a girls attention too it seems, I gave away too much of my value and myself and she loses interest quickly.

I know I used to put girls on a pedestal and I think that's part of the issue. I'd like to believe Im a lot better about seeing them as just people, but idk. I keep dropping the ball even though everyone says that I should be slaying it.

I'm curious what are some ways that you build and hold attraction? What are some things to avoid when it comes to approaching or in my train of thought when approaching?What's a good line to approach with also?