Take it in your own time! I cope with social anxiety myself so I have to take things in small steps too.

To echo the idea of a martial arts class, I always fare better socializing around some kind of activity. Sometimes I’ll go to the local climbing gym to boulder for an hour or two (I’m US based). I like it cause I can chat with other climbers while resting (I definitely spend more time resting on the mats than on the wall) and there’s a common activity to start conversation with. Most of the climbing gyms I’ve been to facilitate welcoming community spaces and are accessible to new climbers and all kinds of people. Most also have fairly robust community calendars that include stuff like arts and crafts, movie nights, yoga, park excursions etc etc

In short, community spaces that facilitate stuff to do are great for meeting people and offer opportunities for as much socialization as you feel comfortable with.

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