I used to be painfully shy when I was young. It's all about exposure and learning how to talk to people from all walks of life. It's a skill set everyone can master.

I'm ok one on one but get very awkward in a group if I don't know many people.

I’m not much of a talker and it shows in my typing, as well, so I mostly drop one-liners and bail.

I'm very introverted too. I prefer communicating via email and prefer not to talk on the phone. I do well enough one-on-one with another person or with small groups of people that I know, I just don't like groups of strangers or large groups or large groups of strangers in small spaces or large groups of small strangers or strange groups of large strangers.

Lol dude yes! I'm just awkward in person until I really get comfortable around someone. Overthinkers of the world unite.

Check out our Introverts Group.

What you probably need in order to be more naturally loquacious in any given interaction is a sense of common ground and common interest. More of that exists than you are likely aware of, but the question is how to draw it out.

An example is two total strangers passing each other on a walking trail. They have no reason or potential reason to talk ... maybe just to nod slightly and move on, maybe nothing at all. But if they both have dogs, and their dogs want to meet, then a conversation ensues, based initially on just the common feature that you are both dog owners (and hopefully dog lovers). What is your dog's name, what breed is it, how old, comments regarding cuteness, then about weather, then maybe about where you live or work, and suddenly -- particularly if this experience repeats a few times because you walk at the same time of day -- you have a working relationship with that person, and can greet each other in a "hail fellow well met" sort of way, dogs or not.

The key for nerdy introverts is to put oneself in situations where there's something to "bootstrap" conversation. A special interest club, pets, a charity, a sport. If you have no such interests or inclinations, pick one that you think is likely to have the kinds of people you'd like to meet and learn about it and feign more interest than you maybe initially have. This is called getting out of your comfort zone. If you're too anxious for that, see a head doctor with experience treating anxiety. Maybe you need some Ativan to get you over the top. Or some cognitive behavior therapy.

Keep moving and don't give up.

Completely agree. Part of the trouble for many introverts (myself included though I wouldn’t wish to speak for everyone) is the richness of our inner monologues. Often they rely on a wealth of knowledge, feeling, insight, believes and intuition which we can rarely translate decisively...at least without a 10 foot square mindmap on a chalkboard. Not to presume intellectual superiority but I know when I talk to people I often find myself laughing at things people don’t get or facinated by certain subjects because they hit upon a key thread in my thinking. Perhaps it’s the same for others. I suppose the trick (one I definitely need to perfect) is succinctly approach subjects without expending vast amounts of energy explaining the context.

Plus, we’re creatures that love the calm of graceful writing. Nothing ever sounds as good spoken as it sounds in our heads ?.

Looks like you have found the ideal forum for you to express yourself. Maybe you will meet someone here that you can actually meet up with in the flesh, and then be able to have a face to face conversation. I guess it is hard for me to put myself in your shoes as I have always been confident to speak my mind. Keep posting here, it is giving you a place to express your views and that is important.

Just do your thing, learn to not let people get to you. I've been getting much better with that by just being on here. Some people on here can be brutal, but some are being brutally honest with their constructive criticism. There are probably alot of Introverts like us on the world, but we probably see or meet them outdoors talking to people. Lol Probably a lot here though. Don't be afraid to ask or answer any question. I'm completely an open book. When you put yourself out there some people will attack or negatively judge you. Laugh at and Ignore them, they will go away humiliated and probably never bother you again. I love to challenge them in a debate. It's so fun. That toughened me up on here very quick. I find that I don't care about near as much as I used to also. I wasted so much time. That probably comes from getting older and more tired of the volume of bullshit and absurdity. I laugh at all of that now.

Oh yes! I'm an Introvert too. Been painfully shy my whole life. It's miserable. Most people, a huge percentage are extraverts. Most of them don't understand us or even care to. I believe many think there is something wrong with us because we can't or won't talk to them the amount that they think is right. I love extraverts as long as they respect us introverts.
We are a rare misunderstood breed and I don't think alot of us get enough sunshine. Lol
Everything you wrote sounds like you are describing me better than I can. Lol
I've gone through the exact same thing my whole life. My brother once said that I needed to take a college class on interpersonal skills. I'm not sure if I have any. Lol
I've discovered on here and through texts that I'm light years better on the keyboard than talking. Here I can edit and resend if I need to change any words. Add something that I didn't think of at the time. I can't do that talking. I end up interrupting and making corrections all through the conversations. I've driven people crazy doing that.

I know I'm an introvert who is learning how to feel more comfortable speaking up. That being said, usually I have to feel out a place before I feel comfortable engaging in conversation. The flip side of this is, once I feel comfortable with someone I never want to stop talking to them -- of course, it helps if this is mutual. If not though, it's sometimes hard to just make small talk.

I have a similar problem with speaking, mind goes blank, think later what I should have said, problem with eye contact but key board is not a big improvement.
Only thing to do is laugh I think.

I'm the other way around, I get nervuse posting or over the phone, tho face to face if there something to talk about i can open up in like 15 20 minutes