This is from my personal experience, i may have low posts count but i can assure you that im no AFC.
Ive read many books, learned various tecniques and hey, some of them worked and quite well actually! Im always trying out new stuff to see what works the best for me but as time passed by i noticed i was becoming too dependent on the rountines! So i came to a conclusion that i needed to change my game in order to obtain better results and that the canned routine stuff was only holding me back. In the beginning, i actually became very pissed because the results werent showing up. I tought that if i help up a smile and seemed confident things would just happen naturally! It didnt quite work out that way, i felt like i was actually loosing my game. I sat down to think again and came to another conclusion. I found out that all i ever needed was a new MINDSET. One that would actually get me some pussy. I found out that if i ONLY think positive, positive things will happen and IT WORKS!! Now when i go out, i go out to have fun. When i see a girl, the first thing i think is - im having sex tonight with her. I never think of any negative stuff. This month has been very sucessful for me, im getting laid almost every weekend and if i dont get laid, i at least kiss close. I learned that if i keep my humour, confidence up (positive thinking) and make everyone around me smile things just come!
So heres my Mindset:

-> Have Fun, think about your results beforehand, ALWAYS escalate from here and there and when you get the chance to take her home, do it! be like a predator and never let anyone (specially yourself) stop you from getting what you want

THINK POSITIVE!

You have summed it up perfectly. Natural game is all about being yourself, having fun, and getting what you want!

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“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!” ~Audrey Hepburn

Be happy with whom you really are at first than others will notice it too, the love just spreads out!

100% agree, I cringe nowadays when I hear guys saying neg, routines, and shit

I've always thought of routines as crutches AFCs could rely on until they boost their confidence and let themselves be free.

I appreciate the disillusionment ie Mystery provides, so you can actually become a better man.

overconfidence-friendzone-vt148732.html

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"-What power would hell have if those imprisoned here would not be able to dream of heaven?"
-Dream to Lucifer and the citizens of Hell.

Yep, very much agree with most of this thread. I think routines do still have a place - as Oneiros says they can be useful as a crutch when you're first starting out; if you've got some canned material memorised then you can focus on other aspects such as remaining cool and improving your confidence, body language etc whilst talking to girls.

But, for me, as soon as your head is in a half decent place, you're much better going 'natural' and trying to improve your own style and your own personality instead of regenerating someone elses.

I personally don't use routines unless I can't think of anything else to fill dead space. I feel as if most people use routines over who they actually are, and if you got into pua to find 'the' woman i feel as if a fake approach is the worst.