I would recommend starting by joining a group around a topic you’re interested in. Local climbing club or anime group or sports enthusiasts or gaming clan or whatever. Something in person. Use that group to practice social skills and learn body cues with topics you’re already familiar and confident with, and that in turn will help you branch out to other topics when you’re ready with the same level of communication.

It is a learned skill, and it takes time, but if you never take the time to learn it, then it will always feel foreign to you. Does that make sense? Like so many things in life, you have to get past the fear to get to the reward. That can be difficult, and you might get hurt when you put yourself out there, but I believe if you keep with it, and you’re determined to make a change, you can absolutely overcome anything and find a social group that complements you.

Good luck, friend. You can do it. We believe in you.