OK, great you have a mater's degree. For me always a university degree (I hold a PhD degree) was the most important thing. Wherever I go, I can use it. I think there is advantage in holding an advanced degree. So, I don't think it was a waste of time. A time will come when you will use it.

Life has changed now. People are busier as life got harder. The other day I read that the future is for online dating. I think, there is no harm in keeping an open mind about it. You seem like a nice person, and easy to get along with. I think you just need to make some attitude change. When I am depressed and someone tells me to do something, I will be defensive, but with time I think about it, and eventually realize it is true, it is just the way it is being said affects us the most at the time.

I am 33 years old. So yes I am younger than you. I don't want to make the thread about me, but for me social anxiety and being alone and loneliness became part of my identity. The other day I saw a new graduate student, and just wanted to strike a causal conversation with her (like what she is studying, and what her thesis is about), and I did. I wouldn't say it was horrible, but it could have been done fairly better for someone at my age and with my credentials (I am supposed to teach students). I know the premise of CBT is to challenge your fears, so, I guess that one was in that direction. I have to say though, most of the time I want to comment on something to someone I don't know, but 99% of the time I don't do it.