Stop thinking of 'approaches' as 'approaches'. Avoid triggering your 'fight or flight' instincts they won't help you.

Go out somewhere you can hear yourself and your buddy talk, get into conversations with each other and then ask randoms for opinions and input.

Make sure the conversation is interesting and 'gender neutral' so not football or 'how many different things James Bond could kill a man with' or whatever. But something like (for example)...weird relatives that people have to spend time with at xmas? Whatever. Just get comfortable starting conversations with people you don't know. Don't worry about any of the other shit for now. Talk to dudes too.

Enjoy the process. Let the conversation and the company be it's own reward, divorce yourself from the expectation of 'success' and just relax into it.

Think of it like Tennis you just need to get onto the court and start hitting some rallies back and forth, don't think of 'the approach' as if it's some killer 135mph serve that you have 'perfect' before you get to play ball, just bat up(serve underarm if you have to) and just start playing...and if you fall and graze your knees just remember that no one is watching and no one gives a fuck...

Id like to echo the comments above,and say every journey starts with the smallest step!!
Dont beat yourself up!!
Maybe try what i did when i was afraid of pubs/clubs and just go out and talk to lots of people with no agenda.Just talk be friendly,get yourself used to talking to lots of people (particularly women).
Then slowly move it on a bit more once you comfortable with just talking to people,then throw in some kino,jokes venue changes just a bit at a time.
Never give up on your dreams