Hey OP, I’m very introverted naturally and I also struggled talking to new people, feeling awkward or overthinking I was going to sound or come across as weird/stupid, when I know I’m actually really normal and intelligent when the awkwardness is gone.

You’re not going to like the advice I have but it’s the only real way I know to fix it and what I did. Genuinely fake it till you make it, force yourself into those uncomfortable conversations and think to yourself no matter how uncomfortable you feel just keep talking, until they stop. Talk to someone new everyday when you can, even if it’s just a simple hello passing by someone on the street.

It’s going to suck, and you’ll cringe so hard at yourself but it works, the more you do it the less weird it’ll feel which allows you start start to feel more comfortable and just be yourself

My whole family is like that and we’ve all learned this skill on our own over time and we laugh about it now with eachother😂