Having trouble chatting in worlds

I just got the Quest 3 a few days ago and I’m really having a blast with it. I’ve never experienced proper VR so it’s very new and wondrous to me. But I just CANNOT get myself to turn the mic on and speak.

I’m already a fairly anxious person when it comes to social interaction, but this wasn’t always the case. I stopped drinking alcohol 100% a few years ago and became a huge recluse. I’ve tried to be social again and I just can’t, there’s too many differences and conflicts and I just want to avoid it.

I got the Q3 for two reasons:

Never experienced VR

To try to become more social

How can I break out and start interacting with others? Does anyone have any advice? I just need a little help.