Struggling to Make Friends

I (20F) am having a really hard time making friends, and I’m not sure where to even begin. I’ve always had a bit of social anxiety, and as I’ve gotten older, it’s only gotten worse. I find it really hard to connect with people, especially in new situations, and it feels like everyone else already has their established friend groups.

I’ve tried putting myself out there, but I end up feeling awkward and unsure of how to even start a conversation or keep it going. I feel like I’m always overthinking everything and worrying that I’m saying the wrong thing or coming off as too quiet. Most of the time, I just retreat into myself because it feels safer, but it also makes me feel really lonely.