"But I'd be very curious to hear how others have overcome social inhibitions and learned to go for it." Small steps. Your first event you know no one. Meet o

"But I'd be very curious to hear how others have overcome social inhibitions and learned to go for it." Small steps. Your first event you know no one. Meet one person, and then next time you visit you have someone to at least say hello to, buy a drink for, or sit and talk/eat with. It never gets easier for the socially awkward, but soon you build a network of people who "know you" and networking becomes a much more comfortable environment. You also find out, that others are just as anxiety ridden as you. You start to recognize "noobs" and see their anxiety... which is another good opportunity to help and network by initiating contact with this people.