[mancerayder]

Repetition. Go to meetups with the intention of one or two drinks, and chit chatting. A plus is a phone number exchange. Do it weekly.

Second, embrace anxiety. Exit the thought loop of worry people can see your anxiety by saying to yourself, "Y,es it might be visible to others, oh well. Nothing to do but push through it. And who cares. It's reality" You'll be surprised how much anxiety ceases to care about you when you fear it less.