I have found from my great age :-) and anxiety that one can't just go out and start meeting people and end up with friends, etc. It doesn't work like that. I believe people who readily join groups and enjoy that sort of thing don't already have anxiety disorders!

For me, I started very slow and just greeted anonymous people like those at stores, librarians, and other service people. Then I worked my way up to actually have a conversation with grocery clearks, asking about their day, etc. Sometimes now I will enter conversations between two other "public" people, make a joke or comment.

I find it easier to talk in a classroom so take classes; I practice thinking of things to say and "talking" by posting a lot in communities like this and going to chats, etc. I think a lot of working with anxiety is practice, finding little things that help and practicing them and looking for new tips to add to one's repetoire, etc.