Hey y'all, I'm just wondering how to talk to people. Just like, in general. All of my friends and even my romantic partner I first met when I was manic, so talking was super easy. Of course, since I'm comfortable around them it's not hard talking to them when I'm not manic. But like, I've realized I literally cannot talk to new people without either being super awkward, sounding like I'm going to cry because I'm so nervous, or just straight up forgetting how to form words. Unless I have a social lubricant like alcohol, I am bad at talking to people.

I'm just always in my head thinking about stuff that when new people talk to me it's like my brain has to figure out how to shift into conversation mode. I'm so awkward so most times I just choose to not talk very much in class and stuff, so I worry that people think I'm a bitch. I have a pretty bad RBF and I'm above average height too, and my partner tells me I can look really intimidating sometimes. I also just think I'm a "weird" person so I assume people aren't interested in talking about what I'm interested in.

I really don't want people to think I'm unapproachable or a bitch. I'm just so shy and my social anxiety has been off the hook lately. I'm going to be graduating college soon so I really need to figure my shit out for when I get a job and am put in an entirely new environment. 

Any advice would be awesome on how to overcome my anxiety and be able to talk to new people!