Also an introvert to some degree, and I've worked hard at overcoming this so I am indistinguishable from an extrovert. Working in front facing customer support

Also an introvert to some degree, and I've worked hard at overcoming this so I am indistinguishable from an extrovert. Working in front facing customer support, sales, marketing, management, fund raising ... yeah ... introvert is a bit harder for those things. So I had to adapt. I've been working out at a gym for many years (semi-social, makes easy conversations possible with like minded people, though you have to worry about people with ear-buds whom don't want to be disturbed), karate (very social, good strong local friend group now ... go to dinner with them, go to events with them, all help each other). I had in the past done various meetups (many years ago), to get conversations going. I recommend getting a nice friendly dog; labrador breeds are great. I have a Chesapeake Bay retriever mix as as a rescue ... wonderful companion, and excellent conversation starter when I walk him. Very friendly, rarely barks ... he's a rescue, and had a terrible life before we adopted him. The dog part is tremendously helpful BTW. When my wife and daughter are out, I can sit on my couch reading a book, and he'll hop up next to me for comfort. I'll talk to him, and happily, most of the time he doesn't answer ... though he knows enough words (treat, cheese, bone, walk, trot, outside, play), that I'm rarely really ever alone.