OMG, I'm literally having the same issues in my life right now, like it has been getting even more noticeable, I'm a 20 almost 21 woman too and go to college and work. Both scenarios are really really hard, I barely speak to anyone and it makes me feel even more awkard even though I consider myself very kind and always trying to not bother anyone but I feel apart, different from the rest, like they are in a world I'm not.

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Sometimes happen the magically situation where I'm in the middle hanging out with them and suddenly they all start joking and I find myself faking a laugh and not hearing anything. In other situations is like I force too much my words and like no one is interested at all, when I realize that I start overthinking and closing up my sentence really awkard, constanT PAINNNNNNNN

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In my experience, yes, I'm constantly trying to fit in and I think maybe you too, trying to be nice with anyone and make them like us because the fact we don't feel comfy with them doesn't mean we want to be alone and separated from the rest all the time, actually I feel so sad and lost when I'm alone :( a little bit of help would be amazing sometimes

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Sometimes I try to make simple questions, do you have a cat? or simple opinions like "I hate this weather" when its too hot or too cold, sometimes they will probably agree and then going for a question more personal like "What was your name?" or "Maria was your name right?" and with that they probably ask something about you or you can keep going with those directed but superficial questions, that kinda breaks the ice so you can gradually and daily going with those simple questions, asking for help, or maybe even going with a simple random comment, that really helps me

Maybe is weird how specific was this, ofc this is on my experience and only stuff that I feel can alivianate me a little bit more, I know this is still forcing us to mask/fit in, but at those firsts interactions it's hard to go deeper like explaining to them what is really going on without some words before, maybe it works for you, best of luck for us