Best tips you have on approaching girls as an introvert? getting into the dating life with social anxiety and other insecurities?

[PerfectDark_Joe]

I am
- very shy, quiet, and reserved
- introverted
- terrible at first impressions, and can be a bit awkward at first. I tend to take a little while to warm up and feel natural in conversations
- have a bit of social anxiety
- little bit of low self esteem, and lack a lot of confidence

Its not that I am "not attractive", I think I am fairly decent looking guy.
I just tend to come off as being a bit cold, or not up for conversation at first.
On top of this I tend to struggle with assuming the worst in people; a habit I picked up from my mother
For example,
there were times in the past where a girl was clearly trying to approach me, but I assumed negative things about it. Even in the past I had some of my crushes ask me out and I was too nervous to say yes, or afraid of the spotlight being on me, or having to talk with my family about dating. etc

Basically I've had a lot of issues that have gotten in the way of dating, and id really like to work on them. I really want to find someone! and for people to know me for who I am, and not for some of my more insecure qualities.

Any tips on having a dating/romantic life with these shortcomings?

[Screenwriter]

A life coach sounds like someone who might help. And the negative impressions from your mom: a little deeper work-- a psychologist/therapist.

Clear out those old cobwebs and work on the social anxiety. You might need a short-term medication for social anxiety until. you can work through it. Just like a depressed person needs a short-term antidepressant to lift them out of a deep depression and get them back on track.

Best case scenario, an anti anxiety med will kick in in a week or two and you'll feel less stressed in social situations. You can talk out your issues with your mom's negativity and mistrust of people. Working on one issue such as that should take 13 sessions or fewer. Two or three months going weekly. Life coach/dating coach might take a few weeks, then you check in with them monthly to see how you're doing.

Think of it all as tuning yourself up socially and behaviorally. And that you and your life are worth investing in living your best! Good luck.

[JSmuve]

My best tip would be to YouTube a guy called Todd V. Any advice you get from people here would be borderline useless and I don't want this question to go unanswered or underanswered

[RV2121]

Go for arranged marriage or online dating both require less social risk from your end.