Those who suggest putting yourself out there in uncomfortable social situations are correct. Speaking from experience here it does get easier.
I broke out of my shell at 20 by forcing myself to take a job that required me to interact in a “social” way repeatedly every day. In my case it was to enter car sales…. A baptismby fire so to speak.
Any kind of job that requires you to interact socially would work. I don’t mean an order taker or something that use a script, something you need to think on your feet.
A new job might be drastic of course so here’s a few ideas:
Say hi to people when you are standing in line or pass by them.
Talk to people who are working. They ate paid to be nice to you. No rejection or feeling foolish. Comment on their job “wow you guys seem slammed today is it usually this busy?”. Go from there.. It can be something super simple that will get a conversation going, take their side in the convo and see their reaction light up.
The main thing is just to start trying. If your ok with bars or nightclubs it’s a great place to start. Since you have no real expectation other then meeting people and being friendly you’ll find butterflies disappear fast.
Hi what’s your name? I’m Anthony. What are you up to tonight/anything exciting going on/I’m new around here maybe you can help me out, what is there around here to do for fun.. What do you do… Etc.