▶ No.158262
So first of all, you're not meeting enough people and you're not socializing enough. Socializing IS a skill. Especially for us terminally online turbo autists, we aren't socially developed enough to have conversations with normies.
Fortunately you can learn this just by doing it more. Hell you might even be able to make them laugh. But you literally have to put yourself into social situations.
Do you live in the sticks? You're going to have to make it a point to go somewhere with people a couple of times a week.
I mean you could just go drinking at some local bar a couple of times and you'll probably recognize people, introduce yourself and talk about anything.
You can also go to local live shows, meet some bands, try to make friends there, especially if you like music.
But it's more interesting if you have an actual thing you like doing. I mean whatever you're into chances are there are people that meet up to do those things. If you aren't an active person maybe you need to find an outdoor activity that you actually enjoy doing (hiking, swimming, rock climbing, skateboarding, cycling) and then go meet people that also do that.
Also not everyone will like you, but even if they don't love you, make it a point to tell people that you're looking for friends, and that they should introduce you to people if they can. You'll have to network a bit before finding people you like. And once you like them jump on that: get their info, make a plan for next time, give them a compliment, and be genuine around them.
One more tip: if you are very shy and have social anxiety it helps being somewhere downtown with enough people so that they will forget you exist as soon as you leave. You can literally bother strangers, if it goes sour you can just leave. But at least you can practice.