n0nsensical

the best advice i can give is find shit you like to do and just go do it with people. the internet is great for finding events, find one and show up. you always have something to talk about because presumably you all like to do the same thing. if you have a problem with being too self-conscious, you just have to stop worrying about what other people think. the social skills will come in time; it really makes no difference if other people think you're making a fool out of yourself, and chances are they don't think that anyway. and if someone really doesn't like the way you act? who cares? there's 6 billion other people in the world, chances are good some of them will like you, but you have to be out there in order to find them. if you look like you're having a good time other people will want to be around you.

if you can't do it through sheer willpower, theres always alcohol, caffeine, and lots and lots of other legal and illegal drugs that will make you lose your inhibitions and be more outgoing. why do you think they're so popular? do you think anyone would get laid if it wasn't for alcohol? that's probably why all the religious fundamentalists in the world are so angry. all you have to do to have a good time is make sure you're doing things you enjoy. don't feel like talking to people? fine, don't, and don't worry about it. find some way to entertain yourself or do something else, eventually you'll find cool people who are into the same stuff and you can make friends. just get out there and have fun.